Brussels, 24/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - When they meet mid-February, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and his US counterpart, Mike Froman, who met this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, are to take stock of progress after the first three rounds of talks in 2013.
The meeting should allow the negotiation structure to be fixed more clearly, and for differences to be reduced on issues that will require greater flexibility on both sides of the Atlantic, including agriculture not only on the matter of market access but also on geographical indications and sanitary and phytosanitary regulations. It should also allow regulatory convergence in the various sectors of industry or financial services, and the protection of investments (see EUROPE 10992). De Gucht decided this week to hold public consultation on the provisions relating to a state/investor dispute settlement mechanism. According to press reports, on the sidelines of the Davos Forum, on 23 January, De Gucht and Froman expressed confidence that this chapter will not slow down the debate. De Gucht said it was “essential” that financial services be included in the talks. During a public debate on Thursday, Froman remained non-commital regarding this possibility. Deeming the G20 international framework to be a more appropriate platform for dealing with regulation of financial services, Washington does not wish to include such services in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The EU wants to ensure better cooperation between the regulators of both parties.
Technical talks will resume in March during a fourth round in Brussels. Negotiation on tariff offers regarding market access is also planned for early this year. (EH/transl.jl)