Belgian politicians have reached a deal to break a deadlock over a planned EU-Canada free trade agreement that all 27 other EU governments support but the French-speaking south of Belgium had rejected.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel told reporters that the heads of Belgium's regions and linguistic communities had produced a common text to allay concerns about agricultural imports and a contentious dispute settlement system.
Any deal agreed in Belgium will still have to be put to the other 27 EU members for approval before CETA itself could be signed.
The Belgian compromise text has been sent to EU ambassadors, Belga news agency reported. The EU's 27 other member states and Canadian officials must vet the text before the EU-Canada trade deal can be signed.
Belgium's federal government has been locked in efforts to sway the region of Wallonia to support the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which aims to ease the flow of goods between Canada and the EU.
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An EU-Canada summit planned for Thursday was cancelled over the Belgian impasse.
Wallonia had sought assurances to address concerns that CETA would weaken labour and environmental standards and threaten its farming industry.
Proponents of the deal argue that it would boost growth and create jobs.
Belgium's regional parliaments have until midnight on Friday to give their go-ahead for the country to approve the trade deal, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel posted on Twitter.
"Belgian agreement on CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement). All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada," he tweeted.
European Council President Donald Tusk says he will not reach out to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau until this process is concluded.
"I am glad for good news from PM Charles Michel," Tusk tweeted. "Only once all procedures are finalised for EU signing CETA, will I contact PM Justin Trudeau."
