Brussels, 04/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 April, the European Commission formally adopted, by written procedure, the decision it announced on 22 February to seek the opinion of the Court of Justice of the EU on the compliance of the international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) with the fundamental freedoms.
In a press release, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht welcomes this latest stage in ensuring clarity on ACTA. “The Commission has a responsibility to provide our democratically elected parliamentary representatives and the public at large with the most detailed and accurate information available. Most of the criticism against ACTA expressed by people across Europe focused on the potential harm it could have on our fundamental rights. So, a referral will allow for Europe's top court to independently clarify the legality of this agreement”, stressed De Gucht. The commissioner said that he hoped that the European Parliament would await the Court's opinion before taking position on ACTA. The rapporteur to the Parliament, David Martin (S&D, United Kingdom) will nonetheless present his recommendation to the international trade committee on 25-26 April, with a vote in plenary at the end of May. (EH/transl.fl)