EU members unsure how to apply CETA

The signing ceremony for Canada's trade deal with the European Union may be planned for October in Brussels, but don't book a non-refundable ticket just yet.

Leaked meeting notes posted earlier this month by online news site Politico Europe suggest that as recently as July 15, countries couldn't agree on what parts of the agreement should apply when.

Jean-Luc Demarty, director-general for trade, chaired the meeting of the European Commission's trade policy committee... [its] notes reveal at least six countries still suggesting amendments or reserving the right to request further changes to the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA)...

The notes say countries were told Canada wouldn't sign unless Europe agrees to apply measures provisionally, as final steps to complete ratification drag out...

Firm opposition at the council — which takes decisions by consensus — could derail the signing. But officials suggest countries who don't feel they can endorse may abstain, rather than block it...

The European Commission decided July 5 that CETA is a "mixed" agreement, now requiring a third stage for ratification. Because individual countries may retain jurisdiction over some areas, votes in each state's legislature are required to ratify the full deal...

This has been excerpted from 15 August 2016 article by CBC News.