Opinion
Adotados on 20/10/2021
Referência:
REX/535-EESC-2021Rapporteur:
Reunião plenária:
564 -
Oct 20, 2021 Oct 21, 2021
Comércio internacional
International trade is governed by a complex mixture of global rules agreed under World Trade Organization and bilateral and multilateral agreements. The free trade agreements are having a growing impact on citizens' rights. Under the Lisbon Treaty, EU trade policy must be conducted within the framework of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action, including promotion of the rule of law, human rights and sustainable development.
We believe that this trend should be a guiding principle in EU trade negotiations and in trade relations. The fact that we at the EESC reconcile the positions and views of business, workers, professionals, farmers, consumers and other important stakeholders contributes real added value. We are in a position to efficiently relay the opinions of civil society and interest groups to international policy-makers both during negotiations and in the implementation of trade agreements. We have set up a Follow-up Committee on International trade to ensure that civil society has a say in the shaping of EU trade policy. We are also managing the Domestic Advisory groups set up under the trade and sustainable development chapters of the EU "new generation" trade agreements. These groups, composed of civil society representatives (from inside and outside the EESC) are responsible for identifying trade and sustainable development-related problems in the implementation of a trade agreement.
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Opinion
Adotados on 07/07/2021
Referência:
REX/539-EESC-2021Rapporteur:
Co-rapporteur:
Reunião plenária:
562 -
Jul 07, 2021 Jul 08, 2021
Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy
Opinion
Adotados on 18/09/2020
Referência:
REX/532-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Key points
Global supply chains (GSC) are key and complex in economic activities across the world and in global trade. Economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship are also contested by evidence of negative implications for working conditions as well as for sustainability in some supply chains.
The COVID-19 crisis has unveiled the serious downfalls related to highly fragmented and undiversified supply chains. It exposed the vulnerability of workers' health and safety, and it highlighted violations of human rights. Trade will have to play a key role in promoting a sustainable economic recovery. However, stronger instruments need to deliver on a socially and environmentally responsible business, trade and investment agenda.
GSC need to become more resilient, diversified and responsible, and ambitious actions need to ensure they contribute to a fairer economic and social model, based on sustainability and decent work.
Carbon markets: Emergence, structuring and challenges for European industry (own-initiative opinion)
Adotados on 18/09/2020
Referência:
REX/531-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS (France)
Opinion
Adotados on 18/09/2020
Referência:
NAT/791-EESC-2020-EESC-2020-01349Rapporteur:
John BRYAN (Ireland)
This opinion deals with three of four megatrends at the heart of the new Commission priorities: climate change, biodiversity loss and globalisation. While the European Green Deal will result in higher environmental standards with, for instance, stricter climate change targets, it is important that all Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are not undermining these improvements by contributing to deforestation or biodiversity loss in other countries. As one of the world's largest importer of energy, agricultural goods and raw materials, the EU has contributed to deforestation and biodiversity loss in other countries.
Opinion
Adotados on 18/09/2020
Referência:
REX/527-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Dimitris DIMITRIADIS (Employers - GR I/Greece), Dilyana SLAVOVA (/Bulgaria), Thomas WAGNSONNER (Workers - GR II/Austria) (Employers - GR I / Greece)
- The common foundation of any EU political engagement leading to an equal development partnership with Africa shall be based on a multidimensional approach, articulating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the respect of Universal Human Rights (UHRs) - including fundamental rights, the right to a healthy environment and the freedom to conduct a business.
- The EESC advocates promoting a decent life and good prospects, creating a middle class and supporting equal partnerships by strengthening sustainable social-liberal democratic structures in Africa.
- The EESC highlights that the EU strategy on Africa must focus on Development and welcomes the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- The EESC reiterates the important role of organised civil society in the up-coming ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.
Opinion
Adotados on 15/07/2020
Referência:
REX/529-EESC-2020Rapporteur:
Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS (France)
The unprecedented magnitude of the COVID crisis requires an unprecedented, long-term and unequivocal response. International trade is a vital tool to finance recovery ge get out of the crisis. In these efforts, the EU must stay true to its values and ensure the protection of businesses, workers and people, leaving no one behind. Recovery must be based on sustainability, and inclusive and green growth. Green Deal measures are therefore more relevant than ever.
Opinion
Adotados on 15/07/2020
Referência:
REX/525-EESC-2020Referral:
COM(2019) 455 final Rapporteur:
Co-rapporteur:
Alberto MAZZOLA (Italy)
The Covid-19 impact is having a profound and unprecedented impact and Europe needs to respond with a strong, social, sustainable and inclusive EU Recovery Plan that will support companies and people. The upcoming early EU Trade Strategy review needs to draw important lessons from this crisis. The EU is not self-sufficient and depends on access to international markets. It needs resilient, diversified and responsible Global supply chains. Stronger instruments need to deliver on a sustainable trade and investment agenda in all its dimensions. It needs to be consistent with the Green Deal and show equal ambition on the effective implementation and enforcement of labour provisions. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recommendations made in a series of recent and ongoing key opinions on EU trade must inform this strategy review.
Opinion
Adotados on 11/12/2019
Referência:
REX/518-EESC-2019Rapporteur:
A system of corporate liability for human rights abuses is currently being negotiated in the UN, within the UNHRC’s open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises concerning human rights (OEIGWG), established by the UN General Assembly on 26 June 2014. The mandate of the working group is to elaborate an international legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
Opinion
Adotados on 30/10/2019
Referência:
REX/517-EESC-2019Rapporteur:
Tanja BUZEK (Workers - GR II/Germany), Jonathan PEEL (/United Kingdom) (Workers - GR II / Germany)