Brussels, 17/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The first session of negotiations for a transatlantic free-trade agreement will take place in Washington in mid-July.
Presidents Herman Van Rompuy (European Council) and José Manuel Barroso (Commission) and American President Barack Obama kicked off the procedure on Monday 17 June, on the sidelines of the opening session of the G8 in Lough Erne, in the presence of British Prime Minister David Cameron, the host of the summit, to start negotiations for a transatlantic partnership agreement on trade and investment (TTIP).
“These negotiations will not always be easy, but I am certain that they will be worth it”, said Obama. In response to the EU's exclusion of audiovisual services from the negotiation package, the United States may, however, insist on protecting maritime transport and financial services.
Conflict between Brussels and Paris. “We are talking about what may become the biggest bilateral trade agreement in history”, said Cameron, who is convinced that the TTIP “will create two million new jobs and more choice and lower prices in our shops”. “Our partnership will genuinely make a change in the global economy”, Barroso added.
The head of the European executive, who was rattled at having to give in to France on the audiovisual services chapter, was at the centre of the row after criticising the government of President Hollande for its “totally reactionary attitude” (see other article). “I do not want to believe that the President of the Commission has used such words about France. What I ask President Barroso is now to put the mandate decided upon into practice”, Hollande responded shortly afterwards. (EH/transl.fl)