FTA: EU could adopt without Ceta parliaments – ZEIT ONLINE

The already negotiated FTAs ​​between the EU and Canada (Ceta) could again lead to dispute reportedly by insiders and media. Like the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports, will classify the agreement against the will of Member States such as Germany as a pure EU agreements EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. Unlike a mixed agreement, the national parliaments would in this case not entitled to it rubberstamp democratically – Bundestag and Bundesrat would thus no say.

According to an EU representative, the EU Commission wants its decision expected to announce the beginning of July. A spokeswoman for the European Commission declined to comment on the report on Friday. But they confirmed that the Commission’s proposal for the classification of the agreement would shortly be published.

As told an Italian diplomat, Italy has on the side of beaten EU Commission. The Minister of Economic Development, Carlos Calenda, have the EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström confirmed in a letter his support in the matter. Calenda share the opinion that it did not constitute a mixed agreement at Ceta. Italy wishes a quick conclusion of the agreement with Canada.

In Brussels EU Commission fears for some time that the national parliaments of the development of European trade policy could cripple by they refuse to agree. To give the critical public in Germany feel to be heard, the German Government considers the inclusion of the Bundestag and Bundesrat but indispensable.

it comes to confrontation between Brussels and countries such as Germany, the conclusion of the agreement could be protracted. The EU countries could specify that they do not follow the opinion of the Commission. However, this would require unanimity. They may also block the adoption of the Agreement for an indefinite period.

Actually the already ausverhandelte agreement with Canada should be signed in October. Ceta applies as TTIP with the US as controversial. Critics believe that because of the numerous corporate offices of US companies in Canada Ceta a kind TTIP could be through the back door. Whether TTIP is considered a mixed agreement and therefore would require the approval of national parliaments, is not yet decided.