Council Conclusions on the Negotiation and Conclusion of EU Trade Agreements
The European Union is one of the world`s largest trading blocks, and its trade agreements have a significant impact on global trade. The Council of the European Union, which comprises representatives from the EU member states, recently adopted a set of conclusions on the negotiation and conclusion of EU trade agreements.
These conclusions aim to ensure that EU trade policy is transparent, inclusive, and consistent with the EU`s values and objectives. The conclusions emphasize the importance of engaging with civil society and stakeholders, including trade unions, business associations, and environmental and consumer organizations, to ensure that EU trade agreements benefit all stakeholders.
The Council recognizes the importance of sustainable development in trade, and the need for EU trade agreements to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The conclusions highlight the importance of environmental and labor standards, and the need for trade agreements to promote sustainable development through measures such as the protection of biodiversity, the promotion of renewable energy, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Council also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that trade agreements are compatible with EU law, including EU environmental law, social law, and consumer protection law. The conclusions call for the inclusion of strong provisions on labor rights, such as the prohibition of forced labor and child labor, and the protection of workers` rights to organize and bargain collectively.
The Council stresses the importance of ensuring that trade agreements do not undermine the EU`s public services, such as health care, education, and social security. The conclusions call for the inclusion of provisions that protect the ability of EU member states to regulate public services in the public interest.
Finally, the Council highlights the importance of ensuring that trade agreements are based on a level playing field, and that they do not give one party an unfair advantage over the other. The conclusions call for the inclusion of provisions on competition policy, state aid, and investment protection that ensure that trade agreements do not result in unfair competition or harm to public goods.
In conclusion, the Council`s conclusions on the negotiation and conclusion of EU trade agreements represent an important step forward for EU trade policy. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that trade agreements are transparent, inclusive, and consistent with the EU`s values and objectives, and that they benefit all stakeholders. By promoting sustainable development, protecting labor rights, and ensuring a level playing field, the EU can continue to play a leading role in shaping global trade policy.