ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland - The European Union and the United States on Monday launched long-awaited formal negotiations to create what would be the world's biggest ever free-trade area.
U.S. President Barack Obama said the first round of negotiations on a pact aimed at creating jobs and boosting the fragile global economy would take place in Washington next month.
Speaking just before the start of the G8 summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We are talking about what could be the biggest bilateral deal in history."
"This is a once-in-a-generation prize and we are determined to seize it."
Process Could Take Two Years
The process is expected to take up to two years, an ambitious target for such complex international talks.
Obama said the deal "will support hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the ocean."
"There are going to be sensitivities on both sides... but if we can look beyond the narrow concerns to stay focused on the big picture... I'm hopeful we can achieve [a deal]."
The U.S. president said reaching an agreement "will be a priority of mine and my administration."
If a free-trade agreement (FTA) can be reached, it would be the world's largest: Trade in goods between the United States and the 27-country EU last year was worth some 500 billion euros ($670 billion), with another 280 billion euros in services and trillions in investment flows.
The EU says establishing a free-trade agreement would add about 119 billion euros annually to the EU economy, and 95 billion euros for the United States.
The head of the EU executive, Jose Manuel Barroso, speaking at the same news conference, said a deal could create "huge economic benefits."
"These negotiations will not always be easy, but I am sure they will be worth it," Barroso said. "The current economic climate requires us to join forces and to do more with less."
Barroso said they would "move fast" to seal the deal.
France Takes Hard Line Against Hollywood
Negotiations will start despite a hard line by France to protect its cherished film and culture sectors from Hollywood, which is seen as potentially offering a bargaining chip to the U.S. side.
A compromise was struck in tense talks in Luxembourg only on Friday.
France insisted that the audiovisual sector be excluded from the negotiations, and after 13 hours of talks a compromise was reached agreeing to Paris' demand while stating that the European Commission could come back on the question if necessary.
Barroso had earlier weighed in with an unusually outspoken criticism of France for its "reactionary" behavior to defend its audiovisual and cultural industry.
French President Francois Hollande reacted spikily as he arrived at the summit.
"I do not want to believe that the president of the European Commission could have made these statements on France," he told reporters.
France jealously guards its cultural sector: French television stations are required to air at least 40% home-produced content, with another 20% coming from Europe before American TV soap operas even get a look in.
Cinema-goers pay a levy on each ticket to help fund the French film industry, which many believe could not survive without such support in the face of Hollywood's dominance.
Early Bargaining Chip at Risk
EU officials have repeatedly warned that excluding any economic sector could hand the United States an early bargaining chip in what promise to be tough negotiations.
Washington says no areas should be excluded from the talks although there have been reports that it may seek an exception for some financial services.
European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said it was essential to overcome any differences as both Europe and America face the challenge of a rising Asia.
"This is of key strategic significance. Ladies and gentlemen, the Atlantic is not the past, it is also the future," he said.
"And that's why we are impatient to start, although that we know that negotiations won't be a smooth ride. Obviously, there are and will be sensitive issues on each side.
"I am confident we will find solutions -- there is too much at stake."
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013