In the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA), MEPs approved on Thursday 24 January a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) and an investment protection agreement (IPA) with Singapore.
These agreements seem then to be on track for ratification by the European Parliament: MEPs broadly supported them, with 25 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions for the FTA and 25 votes in favour and 12 against for the API. The latter will also have to be ratified by the Member States.
In recommendations adopted, MEPs call on the Singaporean government to make "sustained efforts towards ratifying and effectively implementing the fundamental ILO conventions" and on the European Commission "to make good use of the general review clause of the agreement... in order to strengthen the enforceability of labour and environmental provisions, including the consideration of, among various enforcement methods, a sanctions-based mechanism as a last resort" (see EUROPE 12152).
As for the 196 geographical indications (GIs), Parliament calls on the Singaporean authorities to put in place, as soon as the agreement is finally ratified, the law on GIs.
MEPs also warn that European standards and the precautionary principle should be respected in the FTA, calling also for the involvement of civil society in its implementation.
S&D MEPs were once again divided, with several joining the Greens, GUE/NGL and ENF in voting against the agreements.
"Today’s vote shows support for a progressive EU trade and investment policy. The trade agreement will... enhance the EU's access... to the growing ASEAN region, while ensuring workers and the environment are well protected", said rapporteur David Martin (S&D, UK).
But for Jude Kirton-Darling (also S&D, UK), the API "will be the very first treaty solely dedicated to giving foreign investors special rights in the EU", it will lead to the introduction of private investment courts in 16 Member States. She also regrets that MEPs had not suspended their vote on the opinion of the Court of Justice, which is still examining the legality of investment courts. Under these conditions, approving it "is simply bad politics", she told EUROPE. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)