InterviEUw with Pablo Zalba Bidegain

Description

Category : EU Trade | Sub-Category : EU Bilateral Agreements | Programme : InterviEUws

InterviEUw with Spanish MEP, Pablo Zalba Bidegain, EPP Group.

Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament has codecision power when defining implementing measures in the field of the common commercial policy, such as the safeguard clause.

It is making use of this power for the first time in the context of the EU-South Korea FTA.

MEPs have taken into account the fears expressed by car manufacturing and related industries which will be among those most exposed to increased competition after the trade agreement enters into force. They have decided to postpone the final vote on the safeguard clause to the 18-21 October plenary session.

Spanish MEP Pablo Zalba Bidegain (EPP Group), rapporteur on this issue, tells viEUws that this decision should be perceived as a strong message from the European Parliament that it intends to use its newly established powers on trade fully. The European Parliament hopes that changes can be made to the safeguard clause so that a first-reading agreement with the Council can be found.

Posted on : 21/09/10

Hosted by : Mikael Carpelan

Tags : bilateral agreement, car industry, codecision, EU, European Parliament, FTA, Lisbon Treaty, Pablo Zalba Bidegain, Safeguard clause, South Korea, Trade