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Slovakia has no issues with EU-US free trade agreement: PM

Xinhua, April 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Slovakia has no serious issues with the drafted free trade agreement between EU and US, confirmed Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Monday.

Fico pointed out that the EU has already signed similar agreements with other countries and the agreement in question will be to the benefit of both parties.

"Every agreement contains some pitfalls but if we look at the pros and cons, then the advantages far outweigh the negatives here," told Fico.

The treaty proponents claimed that it will significantly boost economic growth and create a great number of new jobs.

On the other hand, critics are convinced that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will undermine the existing protection of consumers and allow large-sized corporations to block regulations that they find disadvantageous.

TTIP talks have begun in July 2013, although progress was much slower than originally anticipated. The ninth round of talks between the EU and US is slated to start off in New York on Monday. Endit