Daniel Caspary’s (EPP, German) recommendation to ratify the EU/New Zealand trade agreement is likely to convince all the political groups in the European Parliament. The MEP presented his draft resolution and recommendation to the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade on Monday 18 September. In his view, the European Parliament has had ample opportunity to examine the text of the agreement in recent months, to consult stakeholders and to work in complete transparency. He therefore encouraged his colleagues to approve his recommendation quickly.
That should not be a problem. Most MEPs see the agreement and its various chapters as a “golden standard”. They welcome the new approach to trade and sustainable development included in the text, as well as the chapters on indigenous peoples, gender and the enhanced role of civil society in implementing the agreement.
For all the groups, it is also a question of strengthening ties with this country of shared values, “which can serve as a bridge between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region”, according to Saskia Bricmont (Greens/EFA, Belgian).
S&D, Renew Europe and the Greens/EFA hope that the next trade agreements to be negotiated can follow the same model. However, all countries are different and this must be taken into account, said the European Conservatives and Reformists Group and the European Commission.
In any case, the INTA Committee will vote on Mr Caspary’s two texts on 24 October. The rest of the European Parliament is then due to vote in Strasbourg in November. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)