Fine tuning for EU trade deal

MarkeTplaCe • The European Union’s top diplomat in Ottawa said Wednesday the bloc’s long-sought free-trade deal with Canada might not be completed until next year.

Ambassador Matthias Brinkmann softened his recent criticism of Canada over the stalled talks, saying the delayed deal could prove better for Canada in the long run. Brinkmann, who this month winds up his four-year Canadian posting, painted a rosy picture of the four-year-old talks, saying it’s down to “fine tuning in the final stretch.”

He predicted negotiations might not be complete until 2014, but it would be worth the wait, especially for Canadian consumers.

“This agreement will maybe be signed this year or next year, and then you have (a) ratification period,” he said in a questionand-answer session with journalists.