Brussels removed language calling for the full ratification of its landmark trade deal with Canada from the final summit text last week, bowing to internal political sensitivities, Canadian Ambassador to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson confirmed. The change was made in a joint statement issued at the end of the Canada-EU summit in Montreal.
Wilkinson, testifying before the Senate foreign affairs committee, confirmed media reports that the EU had the phrasing removed. He explained the change was made due to objections from member states, not just those that have not yet ratified the deal. “There was some objection from member states — and not just the ones that haven’t ratified — that it wasn’t the role of the (European) Commission to be telling member states what to do,” he said.
Language Change in Final Statement
An earlier draft of the joint statement included a line speaking to the importance of EU member states ratifying the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA. However, Wilkinson said Brussels removed that phrasing, and they found alternative wording that member states were more comfortable with. The final text stated: We remain committed to its effective implementation, while fully respecting the ratification processes underway in member states, in accordance with their constitutional requirements.
Status of CETA Ratification
Nine of the 27 EU countries have not yet ratified the decade-old trade deal. The nine members still to ratify are Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, and Poland. Wilkinson testified that the sticking points are largely around investment-protection provisions and that countries have their own specific concerns. This includes concerns in France about agricultural imports from Canada and concerns in Greece over labelling any cheese as feta that doesn’t come from a specific region.
Outlook on Future Ratification
Despite the removal of the ratification language from the summit text, Wilkinson said he expects more countries to ratify the trade deal soon. He noted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are advocating for ratification, and that there are at least four or five that I think will move towards ratification within the next 12 months.
