Since 18 February, new transparency measures have been applied to European trade policy.
Once reputed to be one of the most opaque of European policies, with trade negotiations taking place in camera, European trade policy continues to pursue its efforts at transparency. Under the leadership of Trade Commissioners Cecilia Malmström and then Phil Hogan, the EU has aimed to be a model in this area. “The EU is already the world’s most transparent public authority when it comes to trade policy, and we are keen to do even more”, Mr Hogan said in a meeting with civil society on the same day. “This is why I am proud to announce a new set of commitments to step up our transparency efforts. This will further strengthen our global leadership position in relation to shaping a transparent and inclusive trade policy.”
The Commission already systematically publishes its draft negotiating mandates, negotiating proceedings, sustainable development impact assessments, and negotiated texts “as soon as they exist in an agreed consolidated version”, according to a press release.
It now intends to systematically report on the work of all committees set up under EU trade agreements, Commission decisions authorising Member States to conduct bilateral investment negotiations, non-sensitive summary records of meetings of the Trade Defence Instruments Committee, and Commission recommendations for negotiating directives for non-preferential agreements. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)