Brussels, 03/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - Invited to the European Parliament on Wednesday 3 September for the first time since taking up office last spring, US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner committed to “re-establishing trust” in transatlantic relations - especially on the delicate issue of data protection. As regards the free trade negotiations (the TTIP negotiations), Gardner spoke of his readiness to respond to the concerns of MEPs whenever they want on the most thorny issues - agriculture and agri-food issues, the opening of government procurement, and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). “My door is open”, Gardner told members of the European Parliament's international trade committee, whose role he recognised as “important for the success of the TTIP negotiations”.
“The US and Europe need more growth, but we can't hide it - Europe needs still more. The TTIP is a solution to the problem of growth and jobs”, said Gardner. “We give priority to a comprehensive agreement because only this can bring positive results and establish balance”, he added, addressing Italy's deputy minister for economic development, Carlo Calenda, who had said during his presentation of the Italian Presidency's programme to the MEPs shortly before that an interim TTIP agreement could be an option.
Gardner tried to reassure MEPs about all the sensitive issues. “The TTIP will not force the privatisation of public health and public services”, he said. As regards the ISDS mechanism, “we don't want to defend our companies in the face of a lack of investment opportunity. We are consulting the stakeholders to find a balanced solution. We are keeping an open mind to assess the Commission's solutions”, he said, giving assurances that the ISDS mechanism would not harm arrangements on health and the environment. With regard to government procurement, “there are still a lot of myths that surround American government procurement”, Gardner stated. The digital agenda and agriculture are “problematic issues” but overall the TTIP “will be a vehicle for growth”, he added.
On the issue of transparency, Gardner recognised its importance. “We are accountable to our electors. We must keep them informed on the TTIP”, he said, nevertheless highlighting the efforts made by the transatlantic negotiators. “One of the myths that surround the negotiations is that they are being conducted in secret. But we are discussing a lot and we have stepped up the consultations - the number of which is unprecedented - by creating consultative groups”, Gardner added. Believing that the European negotiators should offer as much information to MEPs as the US side offers to members of Congress, Gardner nevertheless stated that the US could not accept more transparency than that accepted by members of Congress. “We are in favour of transparency but other objectives also need to be taken into account. Total transparency can perhaps be an obstacle to a frank and honest dialogue”, Gardner stated.
During an exchange of views with MEPs, Gardner met with reservation on TTIP from the Social-Democrats and with opposition from the Greens. “I agree, the TTIP is good for both our economies. But the negotiators must understand the arguments of civil society and NGOs, and they must take account of this”, said David Martin (S&D, UK). Jörg Leichtfried (S&D, Austria) criticised the ISDS protection clause harshly. “Ambassador Gardner said that it is not bad, but very relevant. He should reassure all the sceptics. Our Social-Democrat position is totally opposed to this because we do not want a special jurisdiction for companies”, he said. “I say the same as David Martin as regards the reservation, but I do not reach the same conclusions. This treaty must not be negotiated”, said Yannick Jadot (Greens/EFA, France).
As regards data protection, Marietje Schaake (ALDE, Netherlands) welcomed Gardner's desire to “restore trust” between the two shores of the Atlantic. “But I'm not sure the US is aware that this is about our fundamental rights”, she stated. On the subject of the TIPP, her colleague Olli Rehn (ALDE, Finland) said they should “ensure that the very real concerns of citizens are not an obstacle to concluding the agreement”. “Buy American is strong protectionism, it seems to me. Will the US open its government procurement to European SMEs?” he asked.
Regarding the transparency of the negotiations, Marine Le Pen (NA, France), leader of France's Front National, also spoke out. “It's easier to visit a prisoner in prison than consult the TTIP documents”, she said sarcastically. Le Pen also doubted that European farmers could compete with US farms which are “bigger and more productive”. As regards the agri-food chapter, “is it in our interest to impose societal choices on our respective peoples that they don't want?” she asked. (EH)