In an article titled “EU boss Juncker in row after 'threats' to tiny Belgian region over Canada trade deal”, carried by the UK Express and written by Greg Heffer, the journalist recounts how:
“Benoit Lutgen, president of the Walloon Government’s CDH party, accused Brussels bosses of making “insinuations” about the Belgian region if it did not toe the line. Mr Juncker, the president of the unelected European Commission, denied his officials had “threatened” Wallonia.”
But Mr. Lutgen didn’t back down, and the journalist relates how he told the press that:
“I did not have Juncker in mind especially when I said that there was pressure, but yes, there was. There were insinuations, we were made to understand that there would be consequences for Wallonia. Jean-Claude wake up! It’s amazing that Wallonia has to fight alone against the multinationals, and the same thing over farmers. We don’t want a Europe of multinationals.”
Heffer explains why the tiny Belgian region of Wallonia had been against the deal in the first place, writing that:
“Critics have claimed CETA's provision for arbitration panels to rule on disputes with EU member states can be abused by multinational companies to dictate public policy, such as on environmental standards.”
Andrew and Sergei are joined by Andrei Baklanov, deputy head of the Council of the Russian Diplomats Association, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (studio guest); Luc Jones, British businessman, Commercial Director, Antal executive recruitment company operating in emerging markets (Moscow), and James Drew, Production Editor at the EU Reporter (Brussels).
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