Brussels, 16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - In its opinion to the constitutional affairs committee, the committee on international trade (INTA), which is chaired by Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL, Germany), says that the Lisbon Treaty, amending the EU Treaty and the Treaty establishing the EU, is, compared with the existing Treaties, a significant step forward for the Common Commercial Policy (CCP). INTA welcomes the fact that the treaty maintains the improvements made in the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe in the provisions related to the CCP, and, in particular: - the recognition of the CCP as an exclusive competence of the Union, which implies full and comparable participation of all EU institutions in CCP decision-making; - the extension of the scope of the CCP to all trade-related areas, including commercial aspects of intellectual property and foreign direct investment (FDI); - the application of the ordinary legislative procedure (i.e. qualified majority voting and co-decision with Parliament) to legislative acts relating to the CCP. The INTA committee also welcomes the fact that, with regard to the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, the Lisbon Treaty provides that the Commission will be under a legal obligation to inform Parliament of the progress of negotiations. It regrets, however, that the treaty does not provide Parliament with the right to approve the mandate of the Commission to negotiate a trade agreement. It, therefore, calls on the Commission to include far-reaching social and environmental clauses and standards in bilateral or regional trade agreements. It says, too, that no free trade agreement should be signed without a partnership and cooperation agreement. It welcomes the appointment of a double-hatted High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to ensure that all EU external action, including the CCP, is consistent and coherent. It regrets however, the continuing restrictions on the application of qualified majority voting in the Council, in particular with regard to agreements on FDI and services. It calls on the Council and Commission, then, to consider the negotiation of a new inter-institutional agreement that provides the Parliament with a substantive definition of its competences and involvement at every stage leading to the conclusion of international agreements. (E.H.)