EU–US trade talks: what chance for transparency? | Friends of the Earth Europe
EU–US trade talks: what chance for transparency? | Friends of the Earth Europe:
2014 will be a crucial year for trade negotiations between the EU
and US. But the year is beginning with the talks still surrounded in
secrecy, as Friends of the Earth Europe campaigner, Natacha Cingotti,
reports from a stakeholder event in Brussels.
Negotiations on a Transatlantic free trade deal are advancing but remain shrouded in secrecy.
The
EU's negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) has never been officially published, despite being
agreed more than six months ago, and what is being discussed behind
closed doors remains top secret. No wonder public opposition is growing
by the week.
Faced with mounting criticism, the European
Commission is going to great lengths to promote its engagement with
stakeholders and defend the transparency of these trade talks.
The problem is, with so much secrecy it's difficult to be very transparent. The latest example is the 'Civil Society Dialogue'
that took place in Brussels last week (January 14). EU deputy chief
negotiator Damien Levie along with 15 lead negotiators held a two-hour
question and answer session with over 150 interested stakeholders.
2014 will be a crucial year for trade negotiations between the EU and US. But the year is beginning with the talks still surrounded in secrecy, as Friends of the Earth Europe campaigner, Natacha Cingotti, reports from a stakeholder event in Brussels.
Negotiations on a Transatlantic free trade deal are advancing but remain shrouded in secrecy.
The EU's negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) has never been officially published, despite being agreed more than six months ago, and what is being discussed behind closed doors remains top secret. No wonder public opposition is growing by the week.
Faced with mounting criticism, the European Commission is going to great lengths to promote its engagement with stakeholders and defend the transparency of these trade talks.
The problem is, with so much secrecy it's difficult to be very transparent. The latest example is the 'Civil Society Dialogue' that took place in Brussels last week (January 14). EU deputy chief negotiator Damien Levie along with 15 lead negotiators held a two-hour question and answer session with over 150 interested stakeholders.
EU–US trade talks: what chance for transparency?
