Brussels, 11/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has underlined the importance of civil society and social and environmental standards in enhanced EU-Canada relations.
In a resolution containing its recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the negotiations for a strategic partnership agreement between the EU and Canada, adopted on 10 December, Parliament calls for progress to be made to conclude the agreement as soon as possible and recommends that it, just like the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) reached last October, is signed as soon as possible. It also recommends that there is a guarantee of the full involvement, information and consultation of civil society and stakeholders in the process and that the agreement includes inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Greens against free-trade rush. Yannick Jadot said that this resolution “provides a timely reminder of the importance of civil society and social and environmental standards for the two partners but it places free trade at the heart of the partnership, with all the potentially negative consequences for their social, environmental and political models”. He stated that “neither parliamentarians, nor citizens have had access to the contents of the CETA. It appears, however, that with regard to public procurement, health, public services, the ban on tar sands and agriculture, CETA promotes the interests of the multinationals rather than those of citizens. The right of investors is scandalously strengthened because an investor who is dissatisfied with new legislation would be able to go to the Court of Arbitration to seek financial compensation for any benefits have not been forthcoming” (our translation). (EH/transl.fl)