Between spring and summer the Commission intends to start negotiations with Mexico and Chile to modernize trade agreements
MADRID, 6 (IRIN)
The Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, has called Friday “unity” and supported by the Spanish in the negotiations on free trade agreement between the EU and the United States (TTIP makers, for its acronym in ) that, said, does not lower the requirements of European protection or undermine the ability of member states to legislate in the general interest.
During his appearance in Congress to the Joint Commissions for EU and Economics, Swedish politician said that if the TTIP comes to fruition will have three positive consequences: “great benefits” economic and job creation, less red tape for trade “without lowering standards” of safety and quality and a “strengthening” of transatlantic relations on values such as human rights or democracy.
“So we will have more influence in the world. The relative role of Europe in today’s world is falling, and we must find allies to defend these values ”stressed Malmström, which recognizes that the negotiations” progress but difficult “and it takes” the greatest possible unity on the side European “, with national policymakers to play a key role of contact and dialogue with citizens.
CALENDAR OF TRADING
Asked about the timing of negotiations, recalled that are planned paths negotiating rounds in April and July, and September are expected to be “really get into the political arena” once the US Congress approved authorization for the government to do so.
In any case The objective is “to conclude before the end of” the mandate of Barack Obama in 2017 to avoid further delays. “But for me, I have a responsibility to finalize an agreement that member states may adopt, content is more important than quickly, “he explained.
” COLLABORATE ONLY WHERE HAVE THE SAME GOALS “
Aware of affairs in which the TTIP arouse more suspicion, the Commissioner said that” no capacity “of states to” regulate and protect the national interest “or labor rights will be reduced, since a does not arise” harmonization “, although working for the inclusion of” spirit “of the main agreements undermine International Labour Organization (ILO) –even the US has not ratificado– in the final agreement.
“Just cooperate on regulatory issues where we have the same goals. There will be a harmonization but some mutual recognition of standards in a dozen sectors where the level of protection is very high but technically different. And as there is no agreement will not be touched, “he insisted, citing what insurance is outside the agreed rules on hormones in meat or GMOs.
will not be permitted to systems investment protection are an impediment to national governments to make decisions that create better for the public interest, one of the most controversial issues caused by the possible inclusion in the ISDS TTIP mechanism that allows denounce multinational states when its regulations harm them.
“The new approach (protection of investments) that we want to have clear limits on member states can make laws to protect its citizens, and companies can not challenge them either here or in the US, “he emphatically said.
Malmström also clarified that the audiovisual sector, data protection and public services that are currently not open to competition are excluded from the free trade agreement. Regarding the latter, he said that “will be national responsibility to decide whether a sector is opened to the private sector, in no way going to force privatization.”
In sensitive areas such as agriculture where the models are very different, we will work to provide access to certain –queso European products, wine, chocolate, beer, etc .– that have very high tariffs in the US market, but also have to open doors to other products arriving from the United States.
“The goal is to reach zero tariffs, except in some very sensitive sectors. There are some exceptions that we are negotiating, but what is forbidden in Europe continue to be prohibited”, stressed remembering that every negotiation is a “give and take”.
TOTAL TRANSPARENCY
Malmström has also applauded the growing public interest that these negotiations wake, which requires public officials to ” show that there are no secrets and conspiracies “through greater transparency. Therefore, he added, the Commission has posted on Internet “almost all” the documentation on the proposals under discussion and common positions, “so people can see what is negotiated and why not.”
However, he acknowledged that “there are some things that can not be negotiated before the cameras” and that US positions can not be published by the EU. “But we are in discussions to see what to do when we chapters ready,” she added.
“We are committed to debate, to listen to all who want to contribute,” he insisted, quoting the French writer Joseph Joubert who said that “it is better to debate a question without solving it, to resolve an issue without discussing it,” and the Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset, who said that “there are many realities as points of view.”
“Our duty is to listen to everyone. The TTIP bring benefits only if we succeed in negotiating. It will affect many people, and can not fail. We need the participation of all through a political debate based on facts, not myths” has settled, moving there will be a report on the impact of the agreement on neighboring EU countries, although the “first signs” do not move big changes.
RELATIONS WITH LATIN AMERICA
Cecilia Malmström has also used his speech before the Spanish Parliament to refer to the trade relations between the EU and Latin America, which have “great progress” since 2000 but require upgrading some of the oldest agreements, progress in negotiating new and monitor its implementation is “correctly”.
In particular, progress has been made between the spring and summer CE begin negotiations to revise the agreements with Mexico and Chile, with the intention to include in discussions “new areas such as services, investment, protected geographical indications or public contracting.”
Similarly, Brussels wants to “move forward” in relations with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay through Mercosur , for which needed “a clear signal, especially in Brazil, who are willing to eliminate tariffs and barriers, and allowing the participation of European companies in public tenders”.
Malmström also He has asked the Spanish parliamentarians who report concerns or possible negotiating issues that could be opened with Colombia, Peru and other countries in Central America, taking advantage of their closer contact with those states.
Finally he acknowledged that talks on a cooperation agreement with Cuba “progress” and there will be a chapter on human rights. With respect to community relations with Africa, the Commissioner has indicated that within a month talks on a comprehensive agreement with Morocco, Tunisia and Day, as part of the neighborhood policy in the Mediterranean will begin.
No comments:
Post a Comment