On Sept. 26, the final text of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was published by the European Commission and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
The text was initialed and released at a summit meeting in Ottawa between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, EU President Jose Manuel Barroso and other top officials from the EU.
The steps necessary for CETA to gain final approval are not entirely clear. As noted by CBC News, Barroso has said that on the European side, the agreement must receive approval by the European Council and the EU Parliament. But Barroso’s term ends Nov. 1, and his successor, President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker, has suggested that CETA may require an approval vote in each of the EU’s 28 member states. CETA also faces ratification votes at the provincial level in Canada.
USMEF will provide further updates on CETA as more information becomes available and the full text has been reviewed.