Ignoring the mixed messages and criticism sent out by the capitals of the EU regarding the EU-United States free-trade negotiations (TTIP) or the EU-Canada free-trade agreement (CETA), the signature and ratification process of which is now underway, the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, showed his determination, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou on 4 and 5 Septemer, to stick to his guns over the TTIP and called on the 28 EU member states to support CETA.
"CETA is the best and most progressive free-trade agreement the EU has ever negotiated. As well as the new opportunities it creates for businesses and citizens, it also marks a new approach to investment protection that is transparent and that is impartial. The agreement deserves the full support of our member states and thus rapid ratification", Juncker said on Monday.
As for TTIP, the EU will "continue to negotiate", he said on Sunday, stressing that the Commission's mandate to do so remained "fully valid". "At the most recent European Council in June, I asked all of the heads of state or government if they wanted us to continue the negotiations. The response was a unanimous 'yes'. There is nothing new under the sun", he insisted.
"We will continue to negotiate, as we feel that these free-trade agreements are enormously significant" to give a shot in the arm to growth and fight unemployment, Juncker said on Sunday.
"This is the EU doing what it does best: supporting our economy, setting the rules of the game. We want to make sure they respect basic principles and the high standards that European citizens expect from us. Free-trade must be fair trade", he said on Monday, following the Hangzhou summit. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)