EU-US relations: EESC calls for deeper involvement of civil society in the Transatlantic Partnership

With a view to the European Parliament’s 31 May debate on Elmar Brok’s report on Transatlantic relations and Erika Mann’s report on the EU-US transatlantic economic relations, and to the upcoming EU-US Summit under the Austrian Presidency, the EESC today reiterated its position on EU-US relations, as set out in the EESC’s opinion on ‘Transatlantic Dialogue: how to improve the Transatlantic Relationship’ (adopted on 3 June 2004).

The opinion (CESE 275/2004 - available on the EESC website) states that the EU-US relations have a long, mutually beneficial history and rely on strong foundations of shared basic values. While there are differences in public opinion on some policy issues, there is more common ground than might be expected on economic, social and environmental issues, which are not reflected, however, at government level. There is a widespread consensus that continuous dialogue is necessary not only in the long-term interests of the EU and the US, but also for the rest of the world.

The opinion points out that globalisation has promoted open societies and economies, as well as an increase in trade, foreign investment and development, however it has not brought positive effects for all. The EU and the US can increase the economic, social and environmental potential of globalisation by improving governance at national and international level, including social and civil dialogue.

The EESC has underlined the importance of sustainable development on several occasions. While solemn declarations have been made in international meetings and agreements, including the Earth Summit, the Millennium Development Goals or the Lisbon Strategy, concrete action is lagging behind. The opinion notes that environment and climate change are areas where populations on both sides share concerns, but governments have rather differing views.

There is also a growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic about jobs being exported to other regions due to lower labour and environmental protection standards. Common action is needed for raising labour and environmental standards in these countries, while at the same time maintaining and improving them in the EU and the US.

Both the EU and US have pushed for progress in the Doha round. With time running out for achieving a development-friendly outcome of the Doha round, the EU and the US have to assume the leadership responsibilities for the negotiations to be concluded successfully.

The EESC has earlier called for strengthened and broadened transatlantic cooperation by involving the widest possible range of interests and actors and broadening the agenda. While EU-US summits in the past have dealt extensively with economic and business aspects such as boosting EU-US trade and investment and enhancing regulatory cooperation and the European Parliament has called for working towards a barrier-free transatlantic market, there is a need to include social aspects as well as consumer and sustainability issues. The Committee therefore calls on both sides to take into account aspirations and concerns of a broader range of stakeholders - business, labour, consumers and others - and to include these stakeholders into the discussions.

The Committee in this context welcomes the Austrian Presidency’s view that there is a need for greater involvement of parliamentary representatives and representatives of European and American civil society in the Transatlantic Partnership. The Committee is ready to contribute to this effort.

Website:http://eesc.europa.eu/

Source : Europa