Written answers

Thursday, 24 June 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Agreements

4:00 pm

Photo of Michael D HigginsMichael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 179: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the position on the designation of the European Union's trade agreement with Columbia; if this agreement is viewed by Ireland and the EU as being a mixed one or rather solely commercial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27381/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the Union has exclusive competence for the EU's Common Commercial Policy. In international trade negotiations, the Commission negotiates on behalf of the Union, on the basis of a mandate that it receives from the Council. On 1 March, negotiations on a Multiparty Free Trade Agreement between the EU and two member states of the Andean Community – Colombia and Peru - concluded in Brussels. The conclusion of the negotiations was noted by Heads of State and Government at the EU- Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Madrid on 18 May.

The Commission will, in due course, bring forward proposals to the Council authorising the signature and conclusion of the EU- Andean Multiparty Trade Agreement. The issue of the designation of the Agreement as one which involves mixed competence requiring approval and ratification by all 27 Member States or one in which the Union has exclusive competence will be determined in the light of analysis of its content and of legal advice when the Commission has submitted its proposals to the Council. In any event, the approval of the European Parliament will be required before the Agreement can be signed and ratified.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.