Back from leading a European Parliament mission to Colombia and Peru last week, the head of the international trade committee, Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), highlighted on Monday 19 February the shortcomings on the protection of workers' rights in these two countries. Both Colombia and Peru have had a free trade agreement in force with the EU since 2013.
"This trade deal with Colombia and Peru has significantly contributed to economic stability and increased trade flows, benefiting both sides. But we still need to see more improvements regarding the sustainable development of our partners and especially the respect of labour rights, as set out in the action plan, required by the Parliament", Lange said in a statement.
"Trade must serve all, and workers are at the heart of our economies", he added.
The delegation Lange led was in Colombia, then Peru, from 12 to 16 February to assess progress with the authorities of both countries on implementation of the multipartite free trade agreement with the EU – which has been provisionally implemented since August and March 2013 respectively – as well as progress in the commitments on human rights and sustainable development.
"The delegation addressed the concerns of civil society in this respect in the meetings with the relevant ministers. In the case of Peru, we would like to emphasise the need to create a domestic advisory group to enhance this process”, Lange concluded.
The conclusions of the mission will feed into the report on implementation of the multipartite EU-Colombia-Peru agreement – publication of which is expected in the second half of 2018. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)