EU leaders call for trade deal with US

European Union leaders have called for the finalization of a free trade deal with the United States within the next year despite ongoing criticism in the EU nations against such an agreement.

“The EU and the US should make all efforts to conclude negotiations on an ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) by the end of 2015,” EU leaders said during a summit of the bloc in Brussels on Thursday.

The summit marks the seventh such round of negotiations between the two sides on the so-called TTIP since July 2013. The talks have so far made little progress.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the deal would bring more jobs and “open up markets for our exporters and businesses.”

Critics say, however, that the TTIP will weaken consumer protection provisions and allow corporations to block unfavorable regulation.

They insist that the TTIP would allow American conglomerates to invest in British public services such as schools and hospitals, leading to what they describe as “privatization through the back door.”

Over 1 million signatures have been collected against the agreement, the Stop TTIP, an initiative by European citizens, announced earlier this month.

A massive rally is expected to be held in Brussels later on Friday, when the EU prime ministers and heads of states close their final summit in 2014.

The next round of negotiations on the TTIP is slated to take place in the Belgian capital early February next year.

GMA/MKA/KA

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/12/19/390891/eu-leaders-call-for-trade-deal-with-us/

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