Geert Bourgeois: TTIP crucial for Flemish economy

On 27 January Geert Bourgeois clearly pronounced himself to be in favour of the  Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, in reply to an interpellation by Güler Turan in the Flemish Parliament. Negotiations on this treaty start in February and Europe will be represented by the Commission. Throught the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs, the Government follows the negotiations closely.

“It is of the utmost importance to make use of this treaty in order to set a number of standards for this huge free trade area as a whole (60% of world trade) since they are essential to us and will put us in a stronger position in the future", the minister-president emphasized. A race to the bottom in the field of labour standards and environmental protection will that way be avoided. He added that the agreement could cause a recurring annual growth of 0.5 to 1 percent in Flanders.

Geert Bourgeois took notice of the concerns concerning the transparency of the forthcoming negotiations. "We remain vigilant, but I see a number of positive developments. Especially since the start of the Juncker Commission, further efforts have enhanced both the transparency and democratic legitimacy of the negotiations.”

As was the case in CETA, the trade agreement between the EU and Canada, there will also be negotiations on a so-called ISDS clause. Such clauses enable companies to instigate proceedings against states due to new legislation or policies. Geert Bourgeois is of the opinion that the enhanced formula agreed upon with Canada constitutes a good base for the negotiations with the Americans.