Brussels, 18/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The new Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, attempted to provide reassurances during her first speech at a conference organised at the European Parliament by the S &D group on Tuesday 18 November. She said that there must be transparency in negotiations; social, environmental and high consumer protection levels must be maintained; public services defended and states be allowed to maintain control of regulation within the investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism.
The Commissioner concluded: “We must be more transparent about the negotiations themselves. For me, this is only natural. As a Swede, I have transparency in my genes. (…) We will only deliver a TTIP that is good for consumers if those outside the negotiating room also play their part. Parliament and Member States' input is essential. I am committed to work hand in hand with you. We also need constructive input from the whole range of civil society groups: trade unions, business associations, environmental organisations and, of course, consumers (…) A more cooperative negotiation will lead to a better outcome - for consumers and for everyone else, on both sides of the Atlantic”. (EH)