Luxembourg's MPs voted to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU) yesterday afternoon.
The vote went ahead in Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies despite calls from the opposition to postpone the vote and a protest held that same day in Place d’Armes in Luxembourg-Ville.
Members of the coalition government voted in favour of the ratification, while members of the opposition parties (Pirate party, Déi Lénk and the ADR) voted against the bill. CSV MPs walked out in protest and thus did not take part in the vote.
CETA temporarily and partially entered into force in 2017 following approval by the European Parliament. It also required the approval of the national parliaments of the 27 EU member states for the part concerning investment protection and arbitration. As these parts are integrated into a single agreement, the complete text of CETA was submitted to the vote of the Chamber of Deputies.
In addition to the trade agreement, Luxembourg's MPs voted on a bill to approve a strategic partnership agreement between the EU and Canada. Provisionally in force since April 2017, this agreement aims to strengthen and institutionalise the historically close political relations between the EU and Canada in various fields such as foreign affairs, the environment, research and innovation and data protection.
The deputies also adopted (35 ayes, 4 nos) an investment protection agreement that provides protection mechanisms for private investors and dispute resolution.
