Montreal, Dhu-AlHijjah 15, 1437, Sep 16, 2016, SPA -- A free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union will receive the backing of Germany's Social Democratic Party when it convenes next week, Germany's vice chancellor and economy minister said Thursday in Montreal, dpa reported. Sigmar Gabriel and Canada's International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland met on the sidelines of Global Progress 2016 conference to discuss the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The free trade deal, which would eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs, allowing the free flow of goods and services between Canada and EU member states, was agreed in principle in 2014 and is undergoing a legal review. But it has run into strong opposition in Germany and other European countries that see it as a precursor to a much larger deal with the United States. German activists have taken their protest against CETA to the country's Constitutional Court, arguing that it runs counter to the constitution and the rule of law. His party's own base have expressed opposition to the deal. But speaking at a joint press conference, Gabriel said CETA had his full backing, calling it "the most progressive trade agreement we can have." "We had very useful and fruitful discussions on CETA and the necessary steps towards the signature of the agreement at the end of October during the EU-Canada summit," Gabriel said, speaking in English. "Our objective is to promote a modern and fair trade agreement, not only free trade agreement." Gabriel praised the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for implementing changes to the agreement that have made it more palatable for Germany and the EU, although both Gabriel and Freeland went to great lengths to underline that they are not "renegotiating" the agreement but are merely "clarifying" some contentious issues. -- SPA 03:54 LOCAL TIME 00:54 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w