Six years after its provisional entrance into force, the outcome of the EU-Canada economic and trade agreement (CETA) is clearly positive for both the Union and Canada, with a significant increase in trade of goods and services. For example, exports of goods from the Union to Canada increased by 47% between 2017 and 2022. Besides, the European Commission estimates that almost 75,000 jobs depending on trade have been created since CETA came into force.

During a plenary debate today, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats, Iratxe García Pérez, welcomed the new Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, and she put forward the priorities of the S&D Group for the months ahead.

Iratxe García Pérez said:

“The Belgian Presidency cannot just be a transitional Presidency. In the run-up to the next European elections, our citizens need further steps to guarantee progress.

The revised EU legislation on markets in financial instruments will significantly improve protection of small investors, underline the Socialists and Democrats while welcoming the new rules that are set to be endorsed by the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Eero Heinäluoma, S&D negotiator on the revision of the EU legislation on markets in financial instruments, said:

Tomorrow, the European Parliament is set to approve provisional agreements with the European Council on two regulations aimed at significantly reducing emissions from fluorinated gases (F-gases) and ozone-depleting substances - important contributors to the climate crisis.

The S&D Group at the beginning of this mandate played a central role in ensuring the inclusion of these vital legislations within the Fit for 55 package, which is designed to help the European Union meet its 2030 climate target, as these emissions are particularly harmful.