Blocking the ratification process of CETA would be highly damaging to the EU’s international standing, Germany’s top judges believe. The ratification process of CETA, the EU-Canadian trade pact, is in full swing, as the European Parliament prepares to sign off on the agreement in the coming weeks. CETA is expected …
Internal EU politics
Analysis : The EU’s 2017 trade challenges
In 2017, trade policy in the EU will most likely be about salvaging what can be salvaged and preparing the ground for better political times in future, writes Iana Dreyer.
Public support for TTIP increases in latest Eurobarometer poll
Public support for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has seen a little increase over the last six months, if one believes the latest Eurobarometer poll. Approval ratings for the TTIP had been falling steadily since 2014 in the European opinion survey that is done every May and November. …
EU Singapore FTA is a mixed agreement, says ECJ Advocate General
In an opinion issued ahead of an expected Court of Justice ruling regarding the competences accruing to the EU and the member states respectively as to the EU Singapore free trade agreement, a pact concluded in 2013, the Advocate General has confirmed that the deal covers issues that are both …
In brief: Ukraine Association Agreement now on track for ratification
A bill submitted to the Dutch Parliament by Mark Rutte greenlighting the Dutch government’s ratification of the EU Ukraine Association Agreement is likely to pass the final hurdle in the upper house, sources say. The deal faced uncertainty after a compromise declaration adopted by EU member state in 15 December. The Christian Democratic …
EU Ukraine association deal declaration faces potential rough ride in Dutch upper house
EU leaders managed to find wording acceptable to all 28 EU member states on the declaration requested by the Netherlands during a Council meeting today. A major hurdle to the final adoption of the Association Agreement and its in-built deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU’s eastern neighbour has …
Council legal service adamant Ukraine association agreement declaration does not contradict substance of deal
Today, EU member states are expected to adopt a Dutch-sponsored declaration on the EU Ukraine Association agreement. The Netherlands insisted on such a declaration as a means to respond to a referendum in April 2016 in which voters rejected the agreement that all other member states and the EU institutions …
EP leadership contenders Tajani and Pittella: how they stand on trade
Now that Martin Schulz is leaving the presidency of the European Parliament, the German-dominated legislative body could end up being somewhat more italianised. Today the majority group EPP put forward its contender for the presidency, the Italian Antonio Tajani. Two weeks ago, the centre-left S&D group put forward its leader, …
Bulgarian socialist-drafted employment committee report rejects CETA
The European Parliament is preparing its ratification of the contentious EU Canada free trade agreement CETA. While it is a generally received notion that CETA will likely muster enough votes to form a majority in favour of ratifying the deal, the process in the Parliament will not be smooth sailing. …
“Namur declaration” calls for more national involvement in EU trade deals
The leader of the Belgian region of Wallonia, Paul Magnette, who is also an academic, orchestrated a declaration on trade policy by leading professors across the West entitled the Namur Declaration. The three-page text, released on Monday (5 December 2016) calls for greater scrutiny of trade agreements by national and regional parliaments in …
