Brussels, 10/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The trade issues specialists of the EPP, S&D, ALDE and ECR Groups in the European Parliament welcomed the decision of the Council, on Thursday 9 October, to declassify the brief granted to the Commission to negotiate a free-trade agreement, the TTIP, with the United States. In numerous press releases, these groups underlined the importance of increased transparency as the talks, which they support, unfold. “While late is better than never, I still hope that member states will show more willingness to listen and act upon the repeated calls of MEPs and citizens in the future”, commented the chairman of the international trade committee, Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany). “It is fundamental for the broad, fact-based public debate on TTIP in Europe that we need to explore the real chances and concerns surrounding the agreement”, he added.
The Greens denounced “a farce” and the GUE/NGL preferred, at the end of the week, to highlight its participation in the demonstrations in 22 European countries on 11 October against the TTIP, the free-trade agreement with Canada (CETA) and the international agreement on services (TiSA). (EH)