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European Parliament approves Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canadathe world body reports.
408 MPs voted in favour of the deal 254 votes against. 33 MPs abstained.
Before the vote in the plenary chamber The treaty was promoted by several committees of the European Parliamentincluding through the Board of Trade.
In the debate before the vote MPs debate whether the deal violates rights European citizens.
Hundreds of people at the same time Protest in front of the European Parliament building in Strasbourg According to German media reports, there are calls to block CETA.
Demonstrator Insist on not accepting controversial agreements.
Protesters placed a giant Trojan horse in front of the legislature building. They also blocked the entrance to the parliament, forming a lying chain.
The two parties signed an agreement in In October 2016, but only after overcoming strong opposition in a certain part of Belgium and hesitation in countries such as Austria. Late last year, the document was blocked for weeks as several Belgian regions, including Wallonia, were put on lockdown. Oppose the text and request amendments. But in the end, after long negotiations in Belgium, an agreement was reached and the document was signed.
Negotiations between Brussels and Ottawa It took 5 years and 4 months.
Even after the European Parliament votes, the agreement will come into force conditionally, most likely in Elimination of import tariffsas it requires approval from all 28 member states as well as Belgium’s various regional parliaments.
Otherwise, the transaction can start To be implemented from April.
Supporters of the deal say it will Promoted trade growth between the EU and Canada With a 20% increase, the European economy would earn 12 billion euros per year and Canada would earn $9.2 billion.
The treaty is seen as a prototype for a similar but much larger agreement with the United States – TTIP “Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Trade between the EU and Canada exceeds 63 billion euros per year As a result of the new arrangement, further growth is expected in the future.
Objectives of CETA Eliminate tariffs on most traded goods and services between the EU and Canada. The only exceptions are public services, audiovisual and transport services and some agricultural products. The agreement also provides for uniform certification of a wide range of products, from electrical products to toys.
If Canada were a member of the European Union, it would beThe largest economy among them, with a GDP of 1.4 trillion. In terms of population, it will rank seventh.
European experts in law, accounting, architecture and more will be able to provide their services in Canada more easily. This is possible because CETA provides a framework for the recognition of professional qualifications between the EU and Canada. The agreement will also make it easier for businesses that want to temporarily move employees across the Atlantic.
The simplified procedures will pave the way for EU companies to expand into the Canadian market. Federal and municipal public procurement tenders There will be more opportunities for European companies than for companies from any other country. Canada is also working to make the bidding process more transparent by publishing all public tenders online (access to information is one of the biggest barriers for small companies seeking growth opportunities abroad).
Market opening Increased competitionwhich generally means more choices and lower prices for consumers.
Overall, Europe will be able to export Tax-free to Canada: about 92% from its agricultural products and foods. In addition, designations of origin for EU products are protected under CETA. Canada has agreed to protect 143 geographical indications From the EU – for example Czech beer or Greek feta cheese.
All products imported from Canada must Complies with EU rules and regulations. CETA will not reduce or change EU health, safety and environmental standards, nor will it infringe on the rights of European consumers. It also will not change the way the EU regulates food safety, including genetically modified products or a ban on the use of hormones in beef.
CETA does not cover public services, so member states will be able to retain State monopoly and right to choose services (Such as water supply, medical care, education, etc.) Which ones are public and which ones are private.
Under pressure from the European Parliament, the final version of the agreement changes the way disputes that may arise between investors and states are resolved. The original ISDS mechanism (a private law system based on the ability of companies to choose their own arbitration forum). Instead, an Investment Court System (ICS) will be implemented, which aims to provide governments with Control over the selection of arbitrators.
The new one Investing in the Court System It would be public, not based on an ad hoc tribunal, and comprised of independent judges appointed by the EU and Canada.
Trade and investment arrangements with Canada are subject to extensive parliamentary scrutiny and are open to review by anyone with an interest in the subject.
CETA is an agreement that requires approval not only from the European Parliament but also from the national and regional parliaments of the member states. In the more than two years since the negotiations concluded in Ottawa in September 2014, The text of the agreement is Available online.
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