Brussels, 03/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - New Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström enjoyed a somewhat tumultuous first exchange of views with the European Parliament's international trade committee in Brussels on Wednesday 3 December.
The transparency of the TTIP talks; maintenance of high social, environmental and health standards in the negotiations; the controversy over the ISDS, in relation just as much to the agreement with Canada (CETA) as to the TTIP; the Commission's referral to the Court of Justice to clarify powers for the signature and ratification of the trade agreement, which includes an investment chapter, with Singapore; relations with China, India, Japan and also Russia and Ukraine - all issues to which Malmström had to respond to address the concerns of the MEPs from all political groups. She hoped, at the end of her introductory address, setting out her priorities for an audience somewhat irritated by the attitude of her predecessor, Karel De Gucht of Belgium, that “this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”. “Mr De Gucht did not accustom us to the language of transparency”, stated Belgian MEP Maria Arena (S&D).
On the TTIP, Malmström began by recalling the four points on which the Juncker Commission's promised maximum transparency is based: - publication of more EU negotiation texts which the Commission already shares with the member states; - extension of access to TTIP related texts to MEPs - on this, Malmström stated that the Commission was thinking more of an electronic version rather than a reading room; - a reduction in the number of restricted documents; - publication and regular updating of a public list of documents relating to the TTIP shared with the Council and the Parliament. However, as any trade negotiation demands, some documents will not be shared with the public, she made clear, arguing that a degree of confidentiality had to be maintained if the proper outcome that everyone wants is to be achieved.
In terms of the content, “we need an ambitious and balanced agreement but we also need a realistic one”, stressed Malmström, who will travel to Washington on 9 December to try, with the American representative, Mike Froman, to inject the political momentum needed to bring a “fresh start” to the talks. “Ambitious outcomes” were required on access to goods and services markets and public procurement - here the CETA is a “good reference point”, she said, giving assurances that neither public nor audiovisual services would be covered. On regulatory convergence, Malmström said she wanted to see “a package that works for small and medium-sized businesses and strengthens, not weakens, levels of protection in Europe”. Lastly, the TTIP had to cover rules “that will have a global impact”, on energy and raw materials, geographical indications, and labour rights and environmental protection, “with a clear monitoring role for civil society”. As for the chapter on investment protection and the ISDS, that is currently on ice, Malmström promised to publish, by the end of the year, the Commission's analysis of the responses to this summer's public consultation. “In the first months of next year, I will consult with you and with trade ministers on the way forward. And in the spring, we can aim for a new EU approach to this challenging issue”, she stated.
Beyond the TTIP, Malmström highlights three other priorities. Firstly, concluding free-trade negotiations with Vietnam at the start of 2015, but only if Hanoi “is ready to put more on the table”, in terms of services and investment, procurement, intellectual property rights and geographical indications, competition rules and tariffs. Secondly, the talks with Japan by the end of 2015, if Tokyo “is ready to meet our ambitions” on non-tariff barriers and public procurement. Finally, Malmström wants to make progress on the Doha Round at the WTO, now back on track with the adoption last week of the implementation protocol to the trade facilitation agreement. This will require the major emerging economies, such as China and India, which have benefitted enormously from the WTO, to also to show leadership, the commissioner stated. (EH)