Renew Europe welcomes the determination of Mercosur partners to implement the EU trade and partnership deal
Renew Europe welcomes statements by Mercosur partners, who have stated their resolve to take forward the agreements reached with EU, despite the regrettable decision of the European Parliament to seek legal opinion of the agreement. As a Group, Renew Europe voted against the referral to the Court of justice. The referral to seek a legal opinion to the ECJ is a legitimate right of the European Parliament and of course, Renew Europe has full respect for this.
Renew Europe is a pro - free trade group, committed to working with the Commission to ensuring the implementation of the agreements, at a time when the post 1945 international world order continues to fragment. The European Commission has our support to pursue all avenues to make the pacts reached with our Mercosur partners a reality.
Svenja Hahn (FDP, Germany), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur in the International Trade Committee (INTA) commented :
«Delaying the Mercosur agreement weakens Europe’s economy and our geopolitical influence, exactly as pressure from China, the US and Russia is rising. It’s harming free trade and it's a self-inflicted blow to the EU. I personally do not agree with the reasoning for sending the agreement to the Court. The EU is responsible for trade policy. Trade agreements are ratified democratically through the European Parliament and the Council. EU member states will not be bypassed, and no standards will be lowered. The Commission must act now and consider a provisional implementation of the Mercosur Agreement. Europe’s businesses and Mercosur partners cannot wait any longer. »
Svenja HahnRenew Europe MEP, Germany, Freie Demokratische Partei
Urmas Paet (Eesti Reformierakond, Estonia), Renew Europe shadow rapporteur in the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) added :
«We welcome signals from our Mercosur partners that they remain committed to a strong geopolitical partnership with the EU. As liberals and democrats, we want this also. I deeply regret the vote yesterday but a way forward to cement our new partnership with Mercosur must now be found. Faced with the changing world order, it is essential for all Europeans that we have new global allies."
Urmas PaetRenew Europe MEP, Estonia, Eesti Reformierakond