09/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – The Commission, though somewhat bruised by the stance taken by France in now calling for EU-United States free-trade talks (TTIP) to be halted, remains united in favour of continuing the process, Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has said. “No one (within the College of Commissioners) is proposing that negotiations be suspended. Suggesting that it is possible to suspend the talks is irresponsible”, he stated at a meeting with the press in Brussels on Thursday 8 September. “We have to do all we can. At this point, there’s no agreement. There’s nothing to decide”, he added, pointing out, however, that TTIP must “not threaten European social and environmental standards, or the cultural exception”. TTIP will be discussed by EU trade ministers at an informal meeting in Bratislava on 22 and 23 September. EU and US negotiators are due to meet in the United States at the start of October for the 15th round of technical level talks. (EH)