Brussels, 01/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission hopes to get the heads of state and government of the EU27 behind his pro-free trade strategy.
Ahead of the European Council of 7 and 8 February in Brussels, which will devote a large plank to the trade policy of the EU (EUROPE 10777), José Manuel Barroso calls on the European leaders to support the trade agenda piloted by Commissioner Karel De Gucht. This agenda is largely dominated by seeking new bilateral free-trade agreements following the one concluded in 2010 with South Korea. Whilst negotiations with Singapore have been concluded, those with Canada are entering the home straights, and the ones with India and Mercosur are continuing, with talks underway with the US and Japan.
"The importance of these strategic partners cannot be overstated. To turn these opportunities into reality will require us to have a clear vision of our long-term interests; to manage the complexity and trade-offs associated with any trade agreement; to speak with one voice; and to engage constructively with our partners. As always, political will and collective discipline will be crucial to our success", stressed the president of the Commission, in a letter to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, on 4 February. Trade, an "essential lever" in the EU's strategy to boost growth and jobs, makes a "vital contribution" to economic recovery and was behind an extra 0.9% of EU GDP in 2012, in a stagnant European economy obliged to be subjected to a cleansing of public finances, Barroso went on to argue, hoping to convince the most reluctant leaders to embrace free trade. In future, 90% of world growth will be generated outside Europe's borders, he stressed, calling on the EU27 "proactive and ambitious" in the pursuit of the trade objectives laid down by the Commission. (EH/transl.fl)