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AFP
BRUSSELS
CANADA turned up the heat on the EU on Saturday, saying it was the bloc's"job" to save a trade pact put in doubt by a Belgian region's refusal to sign on.
Chrystia Freeland, the Canadian trade minister, was firm after leaving last-ditch talks with European parliament head Martin Schulz to salvage the proposed accord that is seven years in the making.
"Now the ball is in Europe's court and it's time for Europe to finish doing its job," she said, adding that she was returning to Toronto on Saturday.
"I very much hope that I will be able to return here in just a few days to Europe with my prime minister and that we will be able to... sign this agreement with Europe on October 27."
Schulz also planned an 11th-hour huddle with Paul Magnette, head of Wallonia's socialist government which is blocking the agreement between Ottawa and the 28-nation European Union.
The Brussels meetings are aimed at"reviving CETA talks. We can't stop at the last mile," Schulz wrote on Twitter, referring to the agreement's name.
CETA would link the EU market of 500 million people with the world's 10th biggest economy.
