18 October 2016, 11:02 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Tuesday he did not expect that the EU-Canada trade deal CETA could fail, in a doorstep press comment.
"I don’t think this agreement can collapse, although Belgium and Romania, for instance, still have questions that could be answered today," Gabriel said ahead of an EU trade council meeting.
If EU trade minister break the impasse at today’s Council meeting in Luxembourg, the agreement could be signed at the EU-Canada summit on October 27.
EU’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada aims to tear down tariff barriers. It requires ratification by all EU member states.
Romania declared earlier it would veto the pact over fears it could hurt local farmers, while a regional parliament in Belgium’s Wallonia rejected the trade deal in last Saturday's vote on claims it could lead to massive layoffs.
