Vietnamese New Year (Tết) is the most important holiday in the Vietnamese culture, and is celebrated by millions of Vietnamese all around the world. Tet´s celebration is the longest holiday which may last up to one week. On this occasion, H.E. Ambassador Vuong Thua Phong hosted a reception for the Members of the EU-Vietnam Friendship Group on February 23rd. The Friendship … [Read more...]
EU-Tunisia Trade Agreement Important Step
Member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake (ALDE/D66), has underlined the importance of the start of negotiations on a trade agreement between the European Union and Tunisia. Today, the European Parliament debated the issue and tomorrow a resolution on the topic will be voted. Schaake stated: "Tunisia is the only country in a successful transition towards democracy … [Read more...]
Sovereignty Claw-Back From Corporate Trade At EuroLat Summit
Three days of social mobilisation (8-10 June) kicked off today in Brussels and Strasbourg to mark the EU-CELAC Summit (10-11 June). The broad coalition aims at strengthening and giving visibility to existing resistances and struggles taking place in the two regions. They highlight new initiatives, which move away from the trade and investment architecture promoted by … [Read more...]
“Human Rights. Trade. In That Order.” EU-CELAC Civil Society Tells Mogherini
"Human Rights. Trade. In That Order." EU-CELAC Civil Society has told High Representative of the European Union, Federica Mogherini. Their statement came as Brussels prepares to host the Second Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean on 10 and 11 June. The high-level meeting will bring together 61 political leaders. … [Read more...]
TTIP’s Cross-Atlantic Endeavour Facing High Seas
EU-US negotiations on the TTIP free trade agreement are continuing. The deal which is expected to create new jobs and boost economies on both sides of the Atlantic touches upon sensitive issues, not least rules for the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). On 27 January the international trade and legal affairs committees held a joint public hearing to shed light on the … [Read more...]
Schaake Gets Malmström Commitment On Trade Transparency
Dutch Member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake, (ALDE/D66) received commitments today from trade commissioner designate, Cecilia Malmström that she would focus on maximum transparency and increasing accessibility of trade negotiations. Schaake: "I am happy that Malmström shares my concerns. Too much takes place behind closed doors. Because of this, people's … [Read more...]
Farage, “Poke the Russian bear with a stick, don’t be surprised if he reacts”
The EU should take a more proactive line on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and impose tougher sanctions on Russia, urged some political groups in Tuesday’s debate with EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Štefan Füle. Others, however, stressed the need to "keep communication channels open". “We want to see actions and not words from Russia" said … [Read more...]
MEPs To Ban Non-EU Firms From EU Public Procurement, Unless There’s Reciprocation
A draft law that could bar non-EU firms from bidding for public procurement contracts in the EU unless their home countries allow EU firms reciprocal access to their public procurement markets was endorsed by the International Trade Committee on Thursday. The proposed “international public procurement instrument” should strengthen the EU’s hand in trade talks and help EU firms … [Read more...]
EU-China Summit, “Two Major Forces For Peace, Markets, Human Progress”
China and the EU are two major forces in maintaining world peace, two important markets to promote common development and two civilizations to advance the cause of human progress, said Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China at the commencement of the 16th China-EU Summit, in Beijing. In a meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European … [Read more...]
EU / Canada Conclude Trade Deal Negotiations
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have reached a political agreement on the key elements of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) after months of intense negotiations between EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Canadian trade Minister Ed Fast. It will be the first free trade agreement between the European Union … [Read more...]