Prime Minister Stephen Harper admits all issues blocking a Canada-EU trade deal need to be resolved before it can go ahead, but said Canada won't sign an agreement unless it's comprehensive and in the best interest of the economy.
Harper and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault both sounded optimistic about being able to reach a deal initially billed as the most wide-ranging and ambitious trade agreement ever.
The EU has since started talks on a similar deal with the U.S. The deal with Canada had been expected to be finished by the end of 2012. Both sides say they are down to a handful of difficult points to resolve.
"There remain some important issues to resolve and obviously nothing is resolved until everything is resolved," Harper said.
"Obviously we will only sign a deal when we're convinced we have a deal that's comprehensive and in the best interest of the Canadian economy."
Harper emphasized the Canada-EU deal would be important for getting a deal with the U.S. too.
Negotiations 'progressing very well'
Ayrault agreed the negotiations are "progressing very well."
"The most sensitive issues have to do with balanced exchanges in the agricultural sector. You have a concern about beef and pork and we have a concern about poultry, so I'm sure we will be able to move closer together for a fair exchange," he said.
Intellectual property is another concern, Ayrault noted.
"The French government is closely watching what will be in the final text as the negotiations are being directed by the European Union," he added.
The two leaders also addressed the mission in Mali, with Harper telling reporters Canada is not seeking a combat role. As to the C-17 transport plane Canada provided to carry troops, "It will remain there as long as we feel there is a need," Harper said.
Ayrault met with Harper on Wednesday afternoon, and the two attended a dinner for Ayrault that evening.
A joint declaration from the meeting between the two leaders touched on international security and the crisis in Syria.
Officials from the two countries signed agreements on:
- Youth mobility.
- Remembering 20th-century conflicts.
- Social security.
- Science and technology.
The memorandum on youth mobility agreement is normally low-level standard fare during a visit of a foreign leader to Ottawa.
But with growing numbers of French young people coming to Canada to seek opportunities because of the high cost of living in recession-ravaged Europe, the deal will aim to increase the number of Canadian young people seeking opportunities in France.
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