03/11/25 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 3 November, many members of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) condemned the European Parliament’s lack of involvement in the conclusion of an agreement on trade and sustainable investment between the EU and South Africa (CTIP) (see EUROPE 13599/2). The CTIP is a non-binding instrument and does not require the consent of the European Parliament. Insofar as the agreement has economic and trade implications, it is an “undemocratic process”, according to the chairman of the INTA committee, Bernd Lange (S&D, German). Other MEPs – Marina Mesure (Greens/EFA, French), Udo Bullmann (S&D, German) and Benoit Cassart (Renew Europe, Belgian) – criticised the lack of transparency. The European Commission representative present at the meeting pointed out that the text of the memorandum of understanding had been sent to the EU Council and the European Parliament in October. (LM)