Foreign Affairs (Trade) Council, Luxembourg, 18 October 2013

Main results of the Council:

The Council approved a mandate for the negotiation of an investment agreement with China, as well as an updated mandate allowing for investment protection provisions to be included in free trade negotiations with ASEAN countries.

It welcomed a breakthrough achieved in negotiations on a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with Canada.

The Council took stock of developments in trade negotiations ahead of an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November.

It also confirmed its willingness to negotiate with the European Parliament so as to allow a legal and financial framework for investor-state dispute settlement proceedings to enter into force as soon as possible.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU and Canada conclude negotiations on trade deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-and-canada-conclude-negotiations-on-trade-deal/

ESO: Background information: Council approves launch of investment talks with China http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-approves-launch-of-investment-talks-with-china/

ESO: Background information: Council extends mandate for free trade talks with ASEAN http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-extends-mandate-for-free-trade-talks-with-asean/

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