There
was a great deal of confusion today in the European Parliament. The Members
(MEPs) were supposed to take a vote on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP), the trade agreement between the EU and the US. The move would clear the EU´s negotiating position and give
the European negotiators additional discussion authority.
The
vote ended up by being postponed because more than 200 amendments were tabled
by the MEPs. The main challenges came from the Socialist group and are related
to the choice of mechanisms to resolve potential trade disputes between US
firms and EU institutions.
This
is a complex matter and needs to be carefully carried out.
But
we should be clear that the TTIP is important for the Europeans, both in terms
of jobs – greater access to the US market will have an impact on our industries
and agriculture-related activities – and access to a larger choice of goods. It
will certainly have a multiplier effect on the modernisation of our productive
and commercial systems as well.
We
should also underline that the sooner the agreement is reached the better.
Amendments and other tactical moves cannot aim at delaying the process. If they
are intended to improve the final accord, that´s very much appreciated. If they
are based on genuine concerns, that can also be discussed.
Opposition
to TTIP is no problem. That is the normal currency of democracy. But
obstruction through parliamentary procedures is just not acceptable. It´s lack
of political clarity and courage.
No comments:
Post a Comment