Talks between the EU and the US ws. Free-trade agreement have been underway since 2013. Photo: Depositphotos
President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that at this stage, France is opposed to the agreement TTIP between the EU and the US.
– We will never accept undermine the principles relevant to our agriculture, our culture, reciprocity in access to public markets – said Hollande. He said that in the context of talks on a free trade agreement (TTIP), the French side has in mind “standards of health, food, social, cultural and environmental.”
At the current stage of negotiations on international trade, the French position He is “no” – said during a speech in Paris.
Earlier in the day, responsible for negotiations on the TTIP on behalf of the French Secretary of state Matthias Fekl stated that the suspension of the talks is now “the most likely option.” As a reason pointed out the lack of preparedness the US to make concessions.
Greenpeace: TTIP passes too many powers of big corporations
Greenpeace is opposed to TTIP, claiming along with other critics of the agreement that it shall too many powers of big corporations, to the detriment of consumers and at the expense of the competence of governments. Also criticizes the conduct of negotiations behind closed doors, in a confidential manner.
The Dutch branch of Greenpeace has published on the internet 248 pages of consolidated text of 13 chapters of the agreement, which is roughly half of all chapters (it is still not known for their final number). Documents, full records in parentheses (ie unresolved) date from the beginning of April, which means that it does not take into account changes made in the last year. Week during the negotiating round in New York.
– We did it, to rekindle debate – he said the expert of Greenpeace International. trade Juergen Knirsch at a press conference in Berlin, stressing that on the basis of inspection of the documents can be stated that the negotiations should be suspended because threaten wyśrubowanym European standards concerning consumer safety and environmental protection.
“the US wants to replace the” precautionary principle “softer approach”
Knirsch also said that documents show that the United States wants to replace the EU “precautionary principle” – which prevents the market entry of potentially harmful products if their effects are unknown or discussion – a milder approach for manufacturers. In the EU, eg. A lot of fears of a wider admission to the EU market for US agricultural products for fear of food genetically modified (GMO).
The NGO Foodwatch assessed that the negotiation documents show that on key issues, such as ” precautionary principle “, and investment protection,” EU mountains gave way. “
” reality has passed the worst expectations, “
the German daily” Sueddeutsche Zeitung “, which previously gained access to the leak, assessed after their analysis that “reality has passed the worst expectations.”
But Reuters reports that documents show how strong differences of opinion on both sides of the Atlantic on the details of further trade liberalization, though in the last year. week in New York, both negotiating parties stressed that the final agreement is possible before US President Obarack Obama will leave the White House at the beginning of next year.
– the interpretation of these documents appears to be at best misleading at worst completely misguided – he said in a press spokesman for the US. foreign trade. – TTIP retain, and not weaken the strong principles of consumer protection, health and the environment and make the US and the EU will promoters stronger rules (in this area) around the world.
EU sources have confirmed the authenticity of documents
An EU diplomatic sources confirmed in an interview with AFP the authenticity of the published documents, noting that they are not up to date, so it does not reflect the latest evolution of the positions of the EU and the US.
the European Commissioner for. trade Cecilia Malmstroem tried to downplay the significance of the published documents.
– There should be no surprise that there are areas where the EU and the US have different points of view – wrote on the blog.
– this does not mean that the parties meet halfway. In areas where we are too distant from each other in negotiations, just do not come to an agreement. In this sense, many of today’s alarming headlines this storm in a teacup – assessed.
She expressed also regret the misunderstandings that have arisen as a result of leakage, ensuring that the European Commission will never agree to lower environmental standards, consumers and food security.
– I do not belong to those who have lower standards – assured.
the Negotiator the EU rejected the claims Greenpeace
In turn, the chief negotiator for the EU Inatio Garcia Bercero rejected Greenpeace claims concerning the “precautionary principle”. – We have made it clear: we do not agree on anything, which would require changes in our legal regime on GMOs – assured.
Also, the German Ministry of Economy assured on Monday that Germany will not agree to any lowering of safety standards in the trade.
European and American negotiators said on Friday in New York after the next round of talks ws. TTIP, it takes a lot of work and compromise on both sides to complete negotiations by the end of this year. Political impetus to speed up negotiations gave this week German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Obama.
Maciej Wojtalik, Institute of Global Responsibility: free-trade agreement EU-US could lead to flooding of Europe cheap and less healthy food
Source: Newseria
IAR / PAP, Celebrating
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