Transatlantski odnosi

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The EU, US and Canada share the values of democracy, human rights, economic and political freedom and have overlapping foreign policy and security concerns. The US and Canada are amongst the EU's main trade partners and also partners in shaping the international legal order. Transatlantic relations nowadays take place in a new environment and are facing growing challenges. We consider that civil society involvement in this relationship provides a guarantee that transatlantic relations are able respond to the public's expectations and effectively contribute to shaping mutually beneficial cooperation.

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement were signed on 30 October 2016. We will be looking for constant civil society involvement in the implementation of these agreements. Negotiations on an EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are presently at a standstill. However, the TTIP negotiations contributed to strengthening the links between the EU and US civil society and to defining civil society views on how the future trade relationship between the EU and US should look. These achievements should not be lost. Our Transatlantic Follow-up Committee was set up in September 2014 with a mandate to monitor transatlantic links with civil society, setting up regular dialogue and consultation on issues related to relations with the US and Canada.

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  • 8th Joint meeting of the EU and Canada DAGs under CETA

    Location

    Ottawa
    Canada

    Joint statement

    The 8th meeting of the EU and the Canada Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), "DAG-to-DAG meeting", established under the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), took place on 1 June 2026.

  • 17th meeting of the EU DAG under the EU-Canada CETA

    Location

    Brussels
    Belgium

    The 17th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under CETA will take place on 7 May 2026.

    During the meeting, EU DAG members will discuss the DAG's priorities and define its work programme for the coming years.

    The discussions will also provide an opportunity to exchange views with the European Commission on the implementation of the TSD Chapter, as well as prepare for the upcoming joint meetings with our Canadian counterparts, scheduled to take place in Ottawa from 1 to 3 June 2026.

  • 16th meeting of the EU DAG under the EU-Canada CETA

    Location

    Brussels
    Belgium

    The 16th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under CETA, and the first of the 2025–2028 term, took place on 4 December 2025.

    During the meeting, the EU DAG elected its presidency for the new term and held a tour de table, allowing members to introduce themselves, their organisations, and share their priorities for the DAG’s work in the coming years.

  • 7th Joint meeting of the EU and Canada DAGs under CETA

    Location

    Brussels
    Belgium

    The 7th meeting of the EU and the Canada Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), "DAG-to-DAG meeting", established under the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), will take place on 17 March 2025. The Members will discuss the joint priorities in preparation of the thematic debates of the Civil Society Forum and Trade and Sustainable Development Committee Meetings.

    A joint statement, prepared by both sides, will be discussed and adopted.

    The DAG members will also participate at the 2025 Canada-EU CETA Civil Society Forum, which will be open to civil society organisations from both sides.

  • Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - December 2024

    Where do EU-US relations go from here?

    In this issue:

    • Our members comment on the results of the US presidential election and reflect on their possible impact;
    • Guest articles by Lennart NILSSON (General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives - COGECA), Beatriz ABELLÁN MERELO (Foundation for European Progressive Studies - FEPS) and Francesca CARLSSON (European Environmental Bureau - EEB);
    • Report on our recent conference on protecting Europe's most vulnerable through sustainable and affordable housing;
    • Interview with rapporteur Anastasis YIAPANIS on the new EESC opinion on 'Advanced materials for industrial leadership'.
    • Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - December 2024

  • Input of the European Economic and Social Committee to the ILO Global Coalition for Social Justice

    Published in
    15 pages

    This document seeks to provide input to the Global Coalition for Social Justice. It highlights key messages from EESC opinions on the six priority areas identified by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for immediate action.

  • 5th Joint meeting of the EU and Canada DAGs under CETA

    Location

    Canada
    Canada

    The Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) under the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) met again for the first time in person since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic  on 24 April 2023. The meeting was held in a great spirit and with renewed enthusiasm for cooperation between the joint DAGs. During the meeting Members took stock of the work of the respective DAGs since the 2022 joint online meeting, and identified opportunities for fruitful cooperation on joint priorities. The Joint statement was adopted on 20 June.

  • External Relations Section

    Published in
    8 pages

    The External Relations Section (REX) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is responsible for dialogue between European civil society organisations and their homologues from the countries with which the European Union has formal relations (e.g. under the form of a Free Trade Agreement). Through this dialogue, made possible by a series of bilateral bodies, and through specialized opinions and information reports, the Committee is able to concretely contribute to EU foreign policy.

  • The EU-US Trade and Technology Council must seize the momentum to lead in trade, technology and innovation

    Reference number
    39/2022

    At its July plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) argued that the new Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can become an innovative tool for both the EU and USA to work together towards a safer and more prosperous world, based on the principles of sustainable development and democratic values.

    External relations

  • Strengthening transatlantic ties in defense of our democracies

    The EESC’s Transatlantic Relations Follow-up Committee met to discuss two current and timely topics with the aim of strengthening the EU-US partnership on a global scene, particularly important in the current challenging international context: the state of play of the transatlantic trade policy and the Year of Action between the two Summits for Democracy.

    External relations
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