Despite Europe’s Opposition, the European Commission Does Not Want to Revise the Free Trade Agreement Between the EU and Canada

The European Commission has decided that the free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA) cannot be renegotiated, although it has sparked numerous controversies and significant opposition in Europe, British media reported on Friday.

– CETA is concluded and we will not renegotiate it, reported the British BBC, citing statements from EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom after today’s meeting of EU trade ministers in Slovakia.

In addition to CETA, the topic of discussion was also the controversial US-European free trade agreement TTIP. The draft of the CETA agreement has been agreed upon, but parliaments could delay its implementation, notes the BBC.

Activists fear that these agreements could dilute European standards in key areas of labor rights, public health, and the environment. They are also concerned about the proposed establishment of special courts where investors could file lawsuits against states if they believe that laws harm their business. Critics say that the mere existence of such courts, functioning as an alternative to courts in certain countries, will influence lawmakers and result in weaker regulations regarding the environment and the welfare state.

Malmstrom stated that the trade agreement with Canada will be the main topic of the meeting in Bratislava. The Commission hopes for a possible signing of this agreement by the end of October, after which it would be sent for ratification to the European Parliament. It will then have to be ratified by the parliaments of all EU member states.

We are discussing with the Canadians about possible additional clarifications, about an official announcement, in order to alleviate some of these concerns, said Malmstrom.

She agreed that in some countries there are fears that their politicians could lose part of their jurisdiction in the area of regulation.

– Perhaps such a right needs to be even more clearly emphasized in the official announcement, said Malmstrom, acknowledging that negotiations on CETA are still “difficult.”