The Council of the European Union on Monday 17 October adopted conclusions on the review of Sustainable Development Chapters (TSD) in trade agreements. Member States follow the Commission’s line (see EUROPE 12977/13) of strengthening these TSD chapters while fostering the spirit of cooperation with partners.
They highlight the importance, according to them, of free trade agreements (FTAs) for “economic growth, high value-added jobs, diversification, resilience of supply chains”, but also to promote “human rights”.
Indeed, the European Commission stressed, in a draft version of its 2023 work programme obtained by EUROPE (see EUROPE 13043/23), that it would push for the ratification of trade agreements, “including with Chile, Mexico and New Zealand, and continue negotiations with other important partners, such as Australia, India and Indonesia”. It also plans to propose a new agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Commission’s new approach of applying trade sanctions to partners that do not respect the Paris Agreement or the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) is a principle that Member States welcome. However, any sanctions must be “temporary, targeted and proportionate”, they say.
Member States are also in line to apply these principles to future trade agreements as well as those under negotiation. In their resolution adopted in October, MEPs include the agreements that will be submitted to them for approval (see EUROPE 13037/15).
The EU Council particularly appreciates the Commission’s idea of tailoring the programme to the partner countries.
See the conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/3nc (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)