The Socialists and Democrats are committed to shaping
globalisation through reinforced standards and rights, to ensure
that trade benefits not just multinationals, but workers and
ordinary citizens.
Today the S&D Group in the Parliament’s international trade
committee backed the conclusion of a trade agreement between the
EU and Canada (CETA), after lengthy and difficult negotiations
during which both the European Commission and the Canadian
government accepted the inclusion of crucial S&D demands.
This negotiation shows that it is possible to open the way for
progressive and fair trade deals and overcome old entrenched
mechanisms such as ISDS. The S&Ds recognise citizens’
concerns about globalisation and the Group will work with civil
society to bring about fairer trade for all.
David Martin MEP, the S&D spokesperson on trade,
said:
“Together the EU and Canada have negotiated the most
progressive trade deal ever. An agreement which cements our
bilateral relationship while providing important opportunities
for our economies.
“With CETA, we are rejecting unfettered globalisation and
laying the foundations for a new era of rules-based trade,
where the benefits are spread more widely and our labour and
environmental standards are preserved.
“While globally the tendency is to turn in on oneself, the EU
and Canada are leading the way towards a world trading system
that is open for business without compromising our values or
way of life.”
S&D MEP Sorin Moisa, who is responsible for the
CETA agreement in the S&D Group, added:
“Today's vote on CETA is a major step towards consolidating the
role of the S&Ds as the key political group in the European
Parliament on reforming Europe's trade policy.
“Our progressive agenda has shaped the CETA package, including
by introducing a public system of investment dispute settlement
with a role for the European Parliament in the selection of
independent judges; ensuring exclusive sovereign control of our
own standards and public services; and promoting trade and
sustainable development, including by moving towards a
sanctions-based system.
“CETA helps to recapture some of the ground lost to
multinationals in the early stages of rampant globalisation,
protecting the right to regulate and creating a level playing
field for SMEs.”
Note to the editors:
Following strong pressure from the S&D Group to put an end
to the current investor-state dispute resolution system (ISDS),
the Commission proposed in CETA a permanent court with public
judges with members selected at random for each case, a
permanent Appellate Tribunal, a code of conduct enforceable by
the president of the International Court of Justice and an
article on preserving the right to regulate.
