On July 27th 2010, 35 Directors of EUCOCIT and selected key stakeholders presented their priorities and concerns on the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) that Canada is currently negotiating with the EU, to the Minister of International Trade, The Honorable Peter Van Loan.

We are aware that CETA will give Canada a privileged position in matters of international trade, therefore EUCOCIT serves as a vehicle to convey the concerns from the business community to the governments, while informing them of its progress and encouraging them to input and participate.

Minister Van Loan stressed that CETA is priority #1 in Federal trade negotiations, and the first of its kind in Canada. The 4th round of negotiations has been completed and we're ahead for the "half-way mark" deadline scheduled on October 2011. "We are promoting Canada as a destination for investment, and we are not interested in only trade in products with such a broad and unique agreement... April and June 2010 were our strongest months for job creation in Canada. Canada is the best place to invest in the next 5 years. These and other reasons make it an ideal time to promote Canada... we're in risky times and the best way is to tackle them is with more Trade," according to the Minister.

Christian Frayssignes, EUCOCIT President, insisted on the impact the CETA will also have on our inter provincial relations, as they will have to offer an united front on several trade and investment, IP, procurement, people's mobility issues... to the 27 EU countries, already aligned on most fronts that are part of the agreement.

Rafal Lapkowski, First Secretary and Advisor for the Economic and Commercial Affairs from Delegation of the European Union to Canada, stated: "we struggle with other countries on free trade and we need strong political support from Canada's politicians. It is good to see that happening in Canada.

How can you contribute? Make your community aware of what's happening and take your message to all levels of Government, your MP's & MPP's. Write to your members and to the press. EUCOCIT will circulate this message to their members, to the media, and the respective levels of government. We will inform you soon on this procedure and what will be next!

Idalia Obregon
Executive Director
EUCOCIT