The Committee on International Trade exchange views with Karel DE GUCHT, EC Commissioner for Trade, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Brussels

exchange of views

Committee on International Trade

EU trade policy (T)

MOREIRA, Vital (S&D, PT)

Future Direction of EU Trade Policy - "Europe 2020": extracts from the exchange of views

SOUNDBITE (English), Vital MOREIRA (S&amp;D, PT), Chair of the Trade Committee, The Commission is currently considering how the Union's trade policy can best contribute to achieving the objectives of Europe's 2020 strategy. The Commission has launched recently a public consultation on a future communication on this matter, this policy will be a key issue for the EU in order to achieve sustainable growth and to have its fair share of recovering global trade.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, I am deeply convinced that the EU should remain an open economy, open but not naively open, Europe is not going to unilaterally disarm on trade. and we should remain vigilant against any attempts by our trade partners to introduce protectionist measures or to any temptation to fall into that trap ourselves. This is a message that president Barroso is taking to the G20 Summit.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, If we want to be competitive in the world markets our regulatory framework will have to take into account what other major economies do and minimize the costs of trading goods and services between different regulatory regimes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, Europe 2020 strategy put a lot of emphasis on the smart and sustainable dimension if growth high tech innovative and green technologies. I think trade policy can contribute to this by facilitating trade in this sector. We can also go beyond goods and open further open upgrade and information and communication technology services. In green goods and services something similar might be possible to stimulate the diffusion of these technologies, delivering a virtuous circle of larger markets lower costs and more innovation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, European external actions is embedded in a number of general principles which are enshrined in the Treaty and which reflect a n umber of shared values that underpin the European construction; rule of law, sustainable economic, social and environmental developments in developing countries , sustainable management of global resources and respect of human rights to name but a few.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, So the crucial question is : Where do you think the balance should lie between promoting European interests and European values? And this is also an issue of policy coherence which is not always a question of trade being coherent with other external policies but also making sure that when trade policy is not the solution other policies can be deployed to deal with the problem. This is equally if not more important.

SOUNDBITE (English), Karel DE GUCHT, European Commissionner for Trade, We need to put more efforts to discipline State aids in third countries finally any strategy for an open Europe must also open up opportunities for growth and jobs for partners around the world particularly in the developing world? I also plan to propose to the Commission a specific communication setting out more detailed thoughts on developments at a later stage.