Recent years have been marked by a persistent global decline in democratic values and the rule of law. While many differences remain and have to be acknowledged, North America has unquestionably been our closest historical ally in championing democracy and its values across the world. The arrival of the new administration in the US has provided a new momentum and a unique opportunity to build the new transatlantic partnership and jointly manage not only the internal, but also global challenges, especially with regard to powers which do not share the same values, such as China or Russia. President Biden's initiative to organise a Summit for Democracy at a time when autocracies are on the offensive is only the first step in building a strong international democratic alliance.
Caidreamh trasatlantach
I dtaca leis an Aontas Eorpach, SAM agus Ceanada de, tá na luachanna seo a leanas acu uile: an daonlathas, cearta an duine maille le saoirse eacnamaíoch agus pholaitiúil, agus is mar a chéile cuid mhaith an beartas eachtrach atá acu agus na saincheisteanna slándála is cás leo. Tá SAM agus Ceanada ar na comhpháirtithe trádála is mó dá bhfuil ag an Aontas Eorpach agus is comhpháirtithe iad freisin san obair atá ar siúl chun an t-ord dlíthiúil idirnáisiúnta a leagan síos. Sa lá atá inniu ann, is i dtimpeallacht nua atá an caidreamh trasatlantach á chothú agus is ag dul i méid atá na dúshláin a ghabhann leis. Nuair a bhíonn baint ag an tsochaí shibhialta leis an ngaol seo, measaimid go ndeimhníonn sin go mbeidh an caidreamh trasatlantach in ann freagairt d'ionchais an phobail agus cuidiú ar bhonn éifeachtach chun comhar a mhúnlú a bheidh chun tairbhe an dá thaobh.
An 30 Deireadh Fómhair 2016, síníodh an Comhaontú Cuimsitheach Eacnamaíoch agus Trádála (CETA) idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Ceanada agus an Comhaontú Comhpháirtíochta Straitéisí. Féachfaimid chuige go mbeidh an tsochaí shibhialta rannpháirteach ar bhonn leanúnach i gcur chun feidhme na gcomhaontuithe sin. Tá an chaibidlíocht faoin gComhpháirtíocht Thrasatlantach Trádála agus Infheistíochta (TTIP) idir an tAontas Eorpach agus na Stáit Aontaithe ina stad faoi láthair. Mar sin féin, chuidigh an chaibidlíocht faoin gComhpháirtíocht leis na naisc idir an tsochaí shibhialta san Aontas agus sna Stáit Aontaithe a neartú agus le tuairimí na sochaí sibhialta a shainiú maidir leis an gcaoi ba cheart don chaidreamh trádála idir an tAontas agus na Stáit Aontaithe a bheith amach anseo. Níor cheart a bhfuil bainte amach a chailleadh. Bunaíodh an Coiste Leantach um Chaidreamh Trasatlantach atá againn i mí Mheán Fómhair 2014 agus é de shainordú aige monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar naisc shibhialta leis an tsochaí shibhialta maille le hidirphlé rialta a thionscnamh agus comhairliúchán a dhéanamh ar shaincheisteanna a bhaineann leis an gcaidreamh leis na Stáit Aontaithe agus Ceanada.
On 12 June 2014, the Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council codifying Council Regulation (EC) No 673/2005 of 25 April 2005 establishing additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America.
The EESC has played an important role in strengthening an informed civil society debate on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) through a number of TTIP-related opinions, adopted in 2014 and 2015, covering issues such as labour rights, investment protection, impact on SMEs, among others.
It is important under the present circumstances that the EESC, in order to maintain its position as a key civil society player in the TTIP debate, react to the textual proposals for TTIP negotiations on essential topics such as the sustainable development chapter, regulatory cooperation, investment and services. This will have the advantage not only of setting up the EESC position on major negotiating chapters but also of presenting concrete recommendations and pointing out the need to involve civil society in the implementation of those chapters.
The own-initiative opinion will focus on the impact of the TTIP on SMEs and reflect on the provisions that would need to be included in the TTIP in order to take account of the specific character of SMEs in the negotiations and implementation of an eventual EU-US agreement. The opinion will also look at how to increase the awareness of SMEs as to existing support services and programmes, and particularly about the new business opportunities that may arise with this agreement.
Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the investment policy is an exclusive competence of the European Union. The EU is aiming to include therefore in the new trade and investment agreements provisions on investor protection and investor to state dispute settlement (ISDS) which will replace existing Bilateral Investment Agreements (BIT) signed by Member States and will grant the same level of protection to all EU investors.
Transatlantic trade relations and the EESC's views on an enhanced cooperation and eventual EU-US FTA
The main goal of the opinion is to provide a good and qualitative source of information and opinion in the beginning of TTIP negotiations process.