Roundup: EU-Canada trade agreement "aims to improve people's lives": Canadian PM

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, addressing the European Parliament on Thursday, told Members of European Parliament (MEPs) that the recently approved EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aimed to better the lives of citizens.

"CETA is not only about commerce, imports and exports, about profits. It aims to improve people's lives," said Trudeau, the first Canadian prime minister who made a formal address to the European Parliament.

He spoke a day after the ambitious trade deal, set to eliminate almost all tariffs on goods and services traded between the two partners, was approved by MEPs on Wednesday by 408 votes to 254 against, with 33 abstentions.

"Trade needs to work for people," asserted Trudeau, responding to worries that international trade agreements would mainly benefit multinational companies and could lead to job losses.

"We live in a time when many people are worried that the current system only benefits society's luckiest few. And their concern is valid," he said.

"This anxiety towards the economy and trade can be addressed only if we ensure that trade is inclusive so that everyone benefits," he counselled, before declaring: "And CETA delivers just that."

"This modern, forward-looking agreement reflects a truly progressive trade agenda -- one that protects the ability of societies to promote the public good," the Canadian leader argued.

Trudeau also celebrated the signing of the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), which establishes bilateral cooperation on an array of non-trade issues, including foreign and security policy, counter-terrorism, fighting organized crime, sustainable development, research and culture.

For his part, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, welcomed Trudeau warmly: "Canada and Europe share common languages, a history of friendship and a common vision for the future. We share the same vision of an open world and of the need to work together to give concrete answers to the problems of our citizens."

CETA will still need to be ratified by national and regional parliaments in order to be implemented in full, a process that could take years.

Following the green light given by the European Parliament, however, CETA will still be eligible for provisional application, with the majority of its measures being applied. Provisional application could occur as early as April 1.

Negotiations for the EU-Canada CETA began in 2009 and were formally concluded in September 2014. Endit