EU approves landmark trade deal, says ready to sign with CanadaOctober 29, 2016 - 09:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU's 28 member states have approved a landmark free trade deal with Canada, the bloc said in a statement, clearing the way for it to be signed after years of negotiations, AFP reports. "I am delighted to confirm that the EU is ready to sign the comprehensive economic and trade agreement with Canada," Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, which currently holds the EU presidency, said of the deal known as CETA. "It represents a milestone in the EU's trade policy and our commitment to it," he added. The green light came shortly after Belgian regional parliaments approved the deal -- the most ambitious ever negotiated by Brussels -- clearing the way for the EU to sign the pact after two weeks of fraught talks that threatened the bloc's credibility. CETA requires all 28 EU member states to endorse it before it can be signed and then ratified by their parliaments and in some cases -- as in Belgium -- by their regional governments. Belgium's Wallonia region and other French-speaking communities had effectively blocked the deal by raising concerns over potential damage to local interests. The EU had been due to sign CETA at a summit Thursday, October 27 in Brussels with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but that had to be embarrassingly called off as his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel was still trying to win the holdout regions' backing. "The CETA represents a modern and progressive deal, opening the door to new opportunities, while protecting important interests," Fico said in the statement announcing that the EU was finally ready to sign. "Moreover, it has the potential to set the way forward for future trade deals." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |