The CETA negotiations were launched in May 2009 and concluded in September 2014. The EU and Canada signed the agreement on 30 October 2016. In 2015 the EU imported goods from Canada worth €28.3 billion and exported goods to it worth €35.2 billion, a figure that is expected to rise by more than 20% when the agreement is implemented in full.

The CETA will remove customs duties, end restrictions on access to public contracts, open-up the services market, offer predictable conditions for investors and help prevent illegal copying of EU innovations and traditional products. 
In response to parliamentary pressure, the controversial investor-state-dispute settlement mechanism was replaced by the Investment Court System so as to ensure government control over the choice of arbitrators and enhance transparency.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed MEPs during the plenary session on 24 March. On Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, she said. 
Canada´s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first Canadian PM to address the European Parliament on February 2017, one day after the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada trade agreement.

The collaboration between the EU and Canada, based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, has been considerably strengthened in the last few years. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the result of the positive developments in EU-Canada trade relations that have taken place over the past decade. It has considerably improved the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and Canada, opening up the markets to one another’s goods, services and investments, including public procurement.

EU - Canada

In 2017, some of the major challenges faced by the European Union, and notably by the European Parliament, were the fight against terrorism, the negotiations on the arrangements for the UK's withdrawal from the EU - the Brexit, or even the response to the migration and the refugee crisis.

Among the significant achievements, we can highlight the end of roaming charges and the provisional entry into force of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - the CETA.

 
So what does the future hold for 2018?&nbsp; The presentation of the White Paper by the European Commission on March 2017, has set out possible paths for the future of Europe. The debate will end with the European Parliament elections in 2019.

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Click on the links above to see the story of 2017 through videos, photos and audio.

Year in review 2017

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) negotiations were launched in May 2009 and concluded in September 2014. The EU and Canada signed the agreement on 30 October 2016. In 2015 the EU imported goods from Canada worth €28.3 billion and exported goods to it worth €35.2 billion, a figure that is expected to rise by more than 20% when the agreement is implemented in full.

The CETA will remove customs duties, end restrictions on access to public contracts, open-up the services market, offer predictable conditions for investors and help prevent illegal copying of EU innovations and traditional/artisinal products.
In response to parliamentary pressure, the controversial investor-state-dispute settlement mechanism was replaced by the Investment Court System, to ensure government control over the choice of arbitrators and enhance transparency.

#EUelections2019 - CETA

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) EP President; TRUDEAU, Justin Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) - EP President; TRUDEAU Justin ; WELLE, Klaus ; WINKLER Markus

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) EP President; TRUDEAU, Justin Canadian Prime Minister; WELLE, Klaus

GONZALEZ PONS, Esteban (EPP, ES); GROSSETETE, Françoise (EPP, FR); WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE); SZAJER, Jozsef (EPP, HU); KALNIETE, Sandra (EPP, LV)

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) - EP President; TRUDEAU Justin

Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister; TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) - EP President; Jaume DUCH

Opening of the sitting

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine (debate)

Voting time

Announcement

Empowering consumers for the green transition (debate)

Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation (debate)

EU-India relations (debate)

Role of preventive diplomacy in tackling frozen conflicts around the world – missed opportunity or change for the future? (debate)

Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2022 (debate)

Implementation of the Treaty provisions on national parliaments – Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship (joint debate – Implementation of the Treaty provisions)

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January (debate)

State of emergency in Ecuador (debate)

Building a comprehensive European port strategy (short presentation)

Implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) (short presentation)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Conclusion of the EU-Canada CETA - EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (debate)

EU-Canada free trade agreement (CETA) (debate)

Visit of Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister to the European Parliament in Strasbourg

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (ALDE, BE) ; Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister ; WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE) ; TAJANI, Antonio - EP President

Guy VERHOFSTADT and Manfred WEBER meets with Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT) - EP President; TRUDEAU, Justin

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg  Vote CETA

INTA Committee meeting - Vote on ' Conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part '

INTA committee meeting. Public hearing: Trade Policy Day. The future of EU trade policy, following the recent developments on CETA

Martin SCHULZ - EP President meets with Justin TRUDEAU, Prime Minister of Canada, in the European Parliament in Brussels

Justin TRUDEAU, Prime Minister of Canada, in the European Parliament in Brussels

Martin SCHULZ - EP President during the EU-Canada Summit in the European Council in Brussels

Martin SCHULZ - EP President during the EU-Canada Summit in the European Council in BrusselsSignature of the CETA agreement

Plenary session week 43 2016 in Strasbourg - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016

TUSK, Donald - President of the European Council

Donald TUSK in plenary session week 43 2016 in Strasbourg

Statement of Martin SCHULZ - EP President: CETA agreement's state of play

MEPs vote on the following topics: Economic policies and multilateral budgetary surveillance; Maximum residue levels for thiacloprid; EC/Indonesia Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation; Empowering consumers for the green transition; Dental amalgam and other mercury-added products to manufacturing, import and export restrictions; European music streaming market; Anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law; Promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU; Implementation of the Treaty provisions on national parliaments; Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship; European port strategy; Implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); EU strategy on Central Asia; Security and defence implications of China's influence in the EU; Policy implications of virtual worlds; European historical consciousness; and other topics.

Voting session

This infoclip illustrates the functioning of the European Parliament. Focus on the powers of the European Parliament; supervision, democracy and influence. The power of using rule 119, motion of censure of the European Commission, electing the Ombudsman of the EU, the right to create subcommittees that can investigate and the power of proposing and introducing amendements to agreements, such as the CETA agreement reached.

Infoclip: How does the European Parliament work? The powers of the European Parliament: supervision, democratic control and influence

The EU negotiates trade agreements with countries all over the world. The EU institutions make laws on trade matters, negotiate and conclude international trade agreements.

How does EU trade policy work?

Statement by Cecilia MALMSTRÖM during the meeting of the EP Committee on International Trade on the new trade agreements, on the trade relationship with China, on the US new tariffs on steel and aluminium and on the negotiations with Chile.

Opening statement by Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, EC Member in charge of Trade at the INTA Committee

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President and by Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, express themselves&nbsp;in&nbsp;front of the press.&nbsp;

Joint press conference by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and by Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister: extracts

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg,&nbsp;Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister visits the EP in Strasbourg. Arrival, welcome by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Canadian and European anthems, signing of the Golden Book and meeting&nbsp;

Visit by Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister to the EP in Strasbourg: ambiance shots and extracts of the arrival

During the EP&nbsp;formal sitting in Strasbourg, address by Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister after an introduction by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Address by Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister: extracts from the formal sitting

The European Parliament has approved the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), clearing one of its last hurdles. Seven years in the making, the deal is set to ease trade barriers between Canada and the EU, and remains to be ratified by national parliaments.

Thumbs up for barrier-free trade with Canada

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, opens the vote&nbsp;on EU-Canada Comprehensice Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).&nbsp;The&nbsp;results are: 408 votes in favour, 254 against and 33 abstentions. The text is adopted.

EU-Canada CETA: extracts from the vote

Illustrations demonstrations against CETA

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Gianni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Anne-Marie MINEUR (GUE/NGL, NL), Yannick JADOT (Greens/EFA, FR), Tiziana BEGHIN (EFDD, IT) and Marine LE PEN (ENF, FR). express themselves on EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

EU-Canada CETA: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, opening statements&nbsp;of the debate on EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by Artis PABRIKS (EPP, LV), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Cecilia MALMSTROM, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Georgi PIRINSKI (S&amp;D, BG), rapporteur, and Bart STAES (Greens/EFA, BE).

EU-Canada CETA: extracts from the opening statements

Canadian premier Justin Trudeau is travelling to Strasbourg for Parliament's final vote on the EU-Canada trade deal. MEPs will also adopt new anti-terror rules, and table ideas on how to cut pollution and reform the EU.

Coming up in Strasbourg: EU-Canada trade deal, anti-terror rules and Europe's future

On February 15, 2017 the European Parliament votes on the historic EU-Canada trade deal, CETA. The agreement is set to boost Europe's trade income by some 11.6 billion euros a year, and Canada's by 8.2 billion euros.

EU Parliament set to vote on trade deal with Canada

Meeting of the Committee on International Trade&nbsp;in the EP in Brussels. Vote on the Conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part (CETA): 41 votes, 25 in favour, 15 against 1 abstention. The report is adopted. Statement by Artis PABRIKS (EPP, LV), Rapporteur

Conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada of the one part, and the European Union and its Member States, of the other part (CETA): extracts from the vote and statement by Artis PABRIKS (EPP, LV), Rapporteur

European Parliament Committees are meeting in Brussels, with the EU-Canada Trade Deal CETA and the future of EU Trade policy, Safety aviation rules, Farmers' income and encouraging the collaborative economy high on the agenda.

Coming up : CETA and EU Trade Policy, Aviation safety rules, Farmers' income, encouraging 'Prosumers'

EU - Canada summit in Brussels&nbsp;on the occasion of the CETA agreement: arrival Justin TRUDEAU, Prime Minister of Canada being welcomed by Donald TUSK, President of the European Council and Jean-Claude JUNCKER, EC President. Arrival of Martin SCHULZ, EP President and statement.

EU-Canada Summit: arrival of Martin SCHULZ, EP President and statement

Following the signature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) at the EU-Canada summit in Brussels, Martin SCHULZ, EP President, meets with Justin TRUDEAU, Canadian Prime Minister and Chrystia FREELAND, Canadian Minister for International Trade at the European Parliament: arrival, roundtable and extracts from the press statement&nbsp;

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Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Joint press statement of Antonio TAJANI - EP President and Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister

Plenary session Week 7 2017 in Strasbourg - Address by Justin TRUDEAU - Canadian Prime Minister