Summary:

EU Trade Ministers have achieved minor progress in the embarrassing process that is the CETA deal, reports HS. According to Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, there are efforts to get the Wallonia regional parliament behind the deal. A frustrated Minister for Foreign Trade Kai Mykkänen said the wording of the deal was polished for hours to please Germany and Belgium. He said “the finishing line is already visible, but style points have been lost”, and “the EU would not have been created in this manner.” According to Mr Mykkänen, the CETA process has weakened the Commission’s position in the TTIP negotiations.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 18.10.2016

Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen

Main source: Minister for Foreign Trade Kai Mykkänen, Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström