19 October 2016, 08:44 GMT
BERLIN (Sputnik) — The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aims to tear down tariff barriers. Gabriel said it was a chance to set "fair and good rules" for ongoing globalization, protect investment and jobs.
"The entire government followed the footsteps of the federal parliament and spoke today in favor of signing the EU free trade agreement with Canada," Gabriel was cited as saying in his ministry’s statement.
The pact was discussed on Tuesday at a meeting of EU trade ministers in Luxembourg, where they sought to persuade Romania and Belgium's French-speaking region of Wallonia, that previously threatened to block the deal, to back it.
The EU-Canada trade talks began in 2013 and the signing is expected to take place at a summit on October 27. It needs to be endorsed by all EU member states.
