BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Calling to postpone the EU-Canada summit scheduled for October 27-28, Magnette told the local Premiere radio station:
"We will not sign the agreement."
He added that both sides needed an extra round of "fair negotiations" to ensure European interests before the deal could be signed.
On Tuesday, the EU Council failed to approve CETA due to Wallonia's demarche. The European Commission set a deadline for Wallonia to approve the deal until Friday, when European leaders are expected to gather in Brussels for the European Council summit.
CETA aims to establish a free trade zone between Canada and the European Union, scrapping more than 98 percent of the existing tariffs between Ottawa and Brussels. Opponents fear it would undermine standards and regulations on environmental protection, health, safety and workers' rights.
