19/09/2019 (Agence Europe) – A citizens' initiative, the objective of which was to ban the import into the EU of products originating from illegal settlements in occupied territories, was not considered admissible by the Commission. Its decision on the initiative "Ensuring Common Commercial Policy conformity with EU Treaties and compliance with international law", published in the Official Journal of 19 September, states that the legal act to follow it up can only be based on Article 215 of the EU Treaty, to reduce or suspend economic relations with a third country. A citizens' initiative is admissible if it concerns a field in which the Commission may submit a proposal for a legal act; Article 215, however, does not allow it to take the initiative for the adoption on its own: it is subject to a joint proposal with the High Representative of the EU and the EU Council also has to rule on it. (MF & HD)