Canada-EU free-trade talks have been ‘difficult,’ Harper and Hollande say

PARIS – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and French President Francois Hollande are acknowledging the “difficult” nature of long-running free-trade talks between Canada and the European Union.

Speaking together at news conference in Paris, the two leaders were asked about the negotiations.

Harper says there are always some parts of negotiations that are more difficult than others, but that both countries stand to make “considerable gains” once a deal is inked.

Hollande concurred, saying there are always some hurdles in such talks, but what matters most is both sides having a willingness to overcome those issues.

He also says Harper is right not to set any deadline for getting a deal done.

One of the main outstanding issues is believed to be Canadian beef exports to Europe — France and Ireland are said to have objections to the amount of meat that would be allowed under a free-trade deal.