Brussels, 13/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - In an opinion on the EU-US free trade negotiations (TTIP) that was drafted by Markus Töns from Germany (PES, North Rhine-Westphalia) and adopted on Thursday 12 February, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) asks to be involved in the consultative group on the TTIP negotiations in order to ensure that the opening of the European market is not done to the detriment of the principle of regional and local autonomy that is written into the EU treaties. TTIP is a mixed agreement which can therefore require the approval of regional parliaments, the opinion states.
In the CoR's view, the EU must preserve adequate room for manoeuvre - especially as regards setting protection standards and services of general interest. It therefore calls on the European Commission to ensure that public services - such as water and energy, waste and sewage disposal, emergency services, public social and health services, public transport, housing, urban planning and urban development - benefit from a clear horizontal derogation clause in relation to the liberalisation measures planned by TTIP. The CoR also insists on the normative aspects of EU legislation on government procurement not being challenged.
In addition, the CoR advocates adopting specific regulations banning the import of agricultural products that do not meet EU standards. It also calls for a specific chapter on geographical indications to be included, and rules guaranteeing them a reasonable level of protection. (Emmanuel Hagry)