Difficult moments coming for free trade negotiations between Canada and EU
The Canadian Press | 06/8/2011
Difficult moments coming for free trade negotiations between Canada and EU
MONTREAL — Difficult decisions are approaching for Canadian and European negotiators trying to hammer out a free trade agreement, a conference was told Wednesday.
The two sides will exchange the second version of their proposals in a few weeks. It will be followed in mid-July in Brussels with the eighth round of negotiations since discussions began in 2009.
During an update at the International Economic Forum of the Americas, representatives from Ottawa and the European Union said discussions were proceeding well but that the most difficult points remain.
Maurizio Cellini, head of the Economic and Commercial Section of the EU delegation to Canada, said the parties will have to agree to concessions over the coming months in order to reach a deal by the end of the year or early 2012.
For Canada, the most important issues are maintaining the supply-management in agriculture, abolition of custom tariffs on seafood, recognition of work qualifications, and better mobility for Canadian workers in Europe.
The EU wants gains in public markets (particularly contracts awarded by provinces and municipalities), protection of intellectual property and respect for rules of origin on food products.
