According to minister Lilianne Ploumen will not succeed in a free trade and investeringsverdrag with the US to finalize before the end of the year. This says to the minister in Bratislava, where she is for an informal meeting with her colleague handelsministers. Ploumen: ‘Commissioner Malmström has the facts clearly placed on the table: the U.S. moves really insufficient for the EU crucial matters such as public procurement, and a fairer and more transparent geschillenmechanisme for investment protection (Investment Court System – ICS). We have no evidence that they that in the coming months to demand going to do. In fact, we are in a break here.’
According to Ploumen can the talks in the coming months, continue to be those topics where the EU and the US agree, good finish. In addition, it is a chance to once again be the for the EU important points as ICS and market access discussion. “But if the presidential elections in the US, and the beginning of 2017 a new president will start in the USA, there will be a period of reflection is needed on both sides before the negotiations picked up again. As for me, we use this period for a broad dialogue with interest groups, NGOS, businesses, trade unions, and who also wants to say something about how a treaty with the U.S. should look like. This is an opportunity for a new start, a reset of TTIP, and a more transparent and broader based process of negotiation.'
Ploumen stressed still to be in favor of a balanced and ambitious agreement with the US: “I am convinced that such a treaty is good for the Netherlands, for our employees, consumers and entrepreneurs. Let this break use to ensure a treaty that, as with CETA, setting the tone for a new global trade policy. Conditions are transparency, well being of people and the environment, and fair administration of justice.’
CETA was also on the agenda in Bratislava. According to the minister, there is plenty of support for the treaty. Ploumen: ‘CETA combines an ambitious trade and investment agenda with a rigorous choice for sustainability and transparency. There should be a legally binding declaration to come to the decision to signing of CETA, which very clearly shows how Canada and the EU, a number of provisions to explain’. Thus, according to Ploumen clear that the duurzaamheidshoofdstukken about, for example, labour rights and the environment teeth should get: if these provisions are violated, organizations and stakeholders can obtain redress.
Also, the minister wants an unambiguous confirmation that the states themselves may determine which services are in public hands. Think of water supply or public transport. Finally, Ploumen that the precautionary principle, which requires that only products and production processes are allowed which it is determined that they are not harmful to the environment or human health, is explicitly referred to as the prevailing principle for trade with the EU.
Ploumen: ‘Not only the EU member states want this. I have here also with Canada being talked about, and I have good hope that we will finally be able to reach agreement, and these statements add to CETA. “I expect we will for the EU-Canada Summit a formal decision on the signing and on the provisional application of certain parts. But before we are ready, we have still important steps. This matter is now spoken.’
Provisional application is, according to Ploumen good for the Netherlands, because CETA will bring great benefits to the Dutch consumers and the business community. The netherlands advocated in Bratislava to the provisions on investment protection and a new geschillenbeslechtingsmechanisme for investment protection (Investment Court System – ICS) to exclude provisional application, with the broad agreement of other member states. It is also stipulated that a number of provisions that are under the exclusive competence of member states are not be provisionally applied.
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