Brussels, 04/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the General Affairs Council of Monday 4 February, some of the European ministers expressed comments on, and even criticism of, the commercial plank of the draft conclusions of the European Council of 7 and 8 February (details in EUROPE 10777).
Several countries, such as France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Hungary and Lithuania, gave a cautious welcome to the ambitious medium-term commercial programme described in the draft conclusions. Some stressed the need, in the framework of reciprocity, for protection instruments (safeguard clauses). Italy in particular described as “too optimistic” the anticipated gains of the EU's commercial programme (an extra 2% economic growth and more than two million jobs). France criticised paragraphs 2 and 3 of the draft conclusions on trade, stating that this is a step down from the conclusions of last year's European Council. Trade must ensure the observation of social and environmental rules, the French minister said. Spain called for the wording of the paragraph on trade protection instruments to be tightened up.
More specifically, these same member states showed caution on the prospect of free-trade negotiations with the United States. Italy stressed the need to keep a balance, Greece highlighted the importance of protecting the geographical indications of the EU and the primacy of the content of the agreement with Washington over its timetable. France felt that it is too early to talk about the prospect of a commercial agreement with the United States, when the report by the high-level expert group has not yet been published. Among the countries which were the most enthusiastic about the idea of concluding an agreement with the United States, Germany, referring to the speech in Munich this weekend by the American Vice President, Joe Biden, highlighted Washington's willingness to conclude a free-trade agreement with the EU very quickly. This agreement would be very important for growth (industry, agriculture), Germany pointed out, supported in this view by the United Kingdom, Finland (which was somewhat scathing about comments made by certain delegations which could look a bit like protectionism) and Denmark. (LC/transl.fl)