Belgian Region Rejects 'threats' On Canada-EU Deal

BRUSSELS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Oct, 2016 ) : The head of the small Belgian region of Wallonia on Monday said he still refused to sign off on a massive EU-Canada free trade deal despite intense international pressure to back down.

"Wallonia is under all sorts of pressure and in these last hours, even disguised threats," Paul Magnette, socialist head of the administration in the French-speaking region, told local MPs. "But we are steadfast.

We are telling the European Commission that we cannot accept this document if they do not make an effort in our direction," he said, referring to the EU's executive arm that handles trade talks for the bloc.

The parliament in the French-speaking part of southern Belgium voted on Friday to block the deal, known as CETA -- meaning that Belgium itself cannot sign up to the pact.

The shock vote threatened to derail the deal's long-delayed signingby Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Brussels on October 27 and complicate trade talks with the US and a non-EU Britain which will use the deal as a template.

EU and Walloon negotiators held intense talks over the weekend to agree on an document that would satisfy the concerns of the French-speaking Belgians. "If unfortunately we are not heard, if some think that will give in, then we will have to confirm our 'no' and Belgium will not be able to sign," Magnette said.