Europe needs to forge new trade agreements, but not at the expense of its climate and social principles. This was the content of the debate that occupied the parliamentarians meeting in plenary session on Wednesday 4 October to discuss the importance for the EU of concluding new partnerships.
The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, opened the debate by highlighting the importance for the Union of successfully diversifying its sources of imports and exports, “in the mutual interest of third countries and the EU”. For MEPs, this means safeguarding EU principles when ratifying new agreements. “The standard contained in the agreement with New Zealand must be a minimum general standard”, was the defence put forward by Marie-Pierre Vedrenne MEP (Renew Europe, French), referring to the sanctions measures put in place by the Commission in the event of non-compliance with the sustainable development chapters (TSD) in free trade agreements (see EUROPE 12977/13). “Only in this way will the agreements enable us to defend our sovereignty and competitiveness”.
A majority of MEPs voted in favour of a more ambitious European trade agenda. There are, however, some nuances, particularly as regards the way in which these future agreements are envisaged. “We need partners and raw materials, particularly to make progress on our energy objectives, but in a sustainable and inclusive way”, argued Samira Rafaela (Renew Europe, Dutch). The EPP is calling for even faster progress on ratifications: “Two trade agreements in 2 years is not what I call an ambitious agenda. We need to be realistic and proactive and relaunch a real trade action”, insisted Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (EPP, Greek), “otherwise we will miss the boat and let important agreements slip through our fingers”.
The backdrop to these exhortations is the difficulties encountered by the Commission in negotiating the EU/Mercosur trade agreement (see EUROPE 13251/3). The two parties have been deadlocked for several months on points relating to the European Union’s environmental requirements, which have been rejected by the four South American countries. Nevertheless, on both sides of the Atlantic, it is hoped that the agreement will be ratified by the end of the year (see other news).
Concluding the debate, Ms Simson reiterated the Commission’s view that an active trade policy is necessary to safeguard European growth and competitiveness, “especially today, when we are facing international difficulties”. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)