Czech Republic welcomes the consent in the chapter on small and medium enterprises, deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Vladimír Bärtl has stated after the meeting of EU’s Foreign Affairs Council on the finalisation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). According to Mr. Bärtl, the texts for automotive industry and engineering will be prepared shortly. He has added that progress is required in the segments of services, public contracts, agriculture and energetics. CR insists on preserving the lower toll rates. The agreement should be valid from 2017.