Free-trade agreement with USA is crucial for Flanders

Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois was quite troubled by a handful of recent statements, made by leading politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, which cast doubt on the so-called TTIP negotiations. These negotiations, which according to the European Commission ought to otherwise proceed as usual, must lead to a new comprehensive free-trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. “Anyone who seeks to jeopardise this is putting our well-being and that of future generations at risk”, he warns.

“This free trade agreement is crucial for Flanders as an export country: as an open economy we can only come out on top with this agreement”, Bourgeois explains. “In addition, the TTIP also stands to set a global standard for future free-trade agreements. In point of fact: this is an opportunity that we cannot afford to pass up.”

The need for an honest debate

The Minister-President has also called for the holding of an honest debate. “A lot of misinformation concerning the TTIP has been making the rounds: the Member States have delivered a well-defined mandate to the European Commission for the lowering of customs tariffs and a reduction of trade barriers, but also as regards the preservation our safety, health and social norms. And yet I continue to hear false claims being made that negotiations on issues beyond the confines of the mandate are taking place. This is in fact one of the most transparent negotiations ever as each of the European Union’s positions can be found online. Moreover, the joint working documents can be consulted in the reading rooms of the European Parliament and national parliaments, even by members of Flemish Parliament.”

Minister-President Bourgeois has already called for Europe to remain united on the same course, and to provide the European Union with a chance to proceed with negotiations based on the mandate agreed upon. “Otherwise, the Brits will have a trade agreement with the United States before we do!”