EU trade policies
In brief: Riga Summit – fading hopes of European destiny for Eastern partners
The Riga Eastern Partnership summit to be held on May 21 and 22 is set to dampen hopes of deeper ties of the EU’s most fervently europhile Eastern Partners. We’ve seen the draft conclusions of the event. Extensive details with BNE Intellinews, selected take-aways below.
Comment: Labour mobility – EU neighbourhood policy’s new approach wrong-footed
Ahead of important EU meetings this week, namely the Riga Summit with Eastern partners and a new round of trade talks with Morocco, here a long-read on why one of the cornerstones of the EU’s neighbourhood policy overhaul – to limit migration – is flawed economically, politically, and morally. The text explains why the EU must be much …
In brief: EU to seek mandate to start negotiations of customs union upgrade with Turkey
The EU Commission has announced today that it will formally seek a mandate from EU member states to launch trade negotiations aiming to upgrade and modernise its existing customs union with Turkey, which came into force in 1996. The customs union only covers trade in industrial goods. Turkey is is also …
In brief: EU Mexico to launch FTA upgrade negotiations
Blog: French and German governments on COM ISDS proposals & Berlin call for priority to national courts
Quick views on how France and in particularly Germany have responded to this week’s proposals from Brussels on how to address investor-to-state disputes in TTIP. By Iana Dreyer.
Measured reception of digital single market strategy amid concerns over barriers to trade
The digital single market strategy announced in Brussels on 6 May 2015 was well received in the public and economic circles, but many argue it leaves out crucial areas of today’s digital economy. Iana Dreyer in Brussels.
Comment: Commission ISDS reform proposals & why they will not appease critics
The Commission’s proposals to reform ISDS in its coming trade and investment treaties made public today reveal a gradual and incremental approach to reforming Europe’s investment protection system. This will not likely appease left-of-centre critics of international investment tribunals. By Iana Dreyer.
Reviving EU ASEAN free trade talks – how to succeed this time round
The EU is considering reviving region-wide free trade negotiations with ASEAN. If Brussels is not to fail again in this endeavour as it did a few years ago, a fresh, flexible approach, to negotiations, respectful of local political realities, is overdue. The more so as the EU has significantly lost …
Perspective: Ukraine & EU DCFTA talks with Russia could peter out
The EU-Ukraine summit of 27 April 2015 in Kyiv is set to be reality-check for the bilateral relationship. This meeting takes place as Ukraine is on the brink of bankruptcy and there are signs that Russia could step up military activity in Eastern Ukraine this summer. The EU is unhappy with the pace of …
