Handelsministers zetten grote stap richting groene handel (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Deens voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2012 i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 16 maart 2012.

Minister for Trade and Investments Pia Olsen Dyhr at today's meeting.

Photo: Council of the European Union

At today’s meeting in the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade, Ministers debated and reached agreement on several important issues concerning European growth and jobs.

The Ministers gave their wide support for going further in examining the possibilities for economic integration with the USA. The Council also took note of the state of preparations for the free trade negotiations with Japan. The debate revealed that there is a shared understanding that good progress has been made, but a number of outstanding issues still need to be solved before negotiations can be launched.

Danish Minister for Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr states:

“The report from the Trade Commissioner was positive, but there are still some outstanding issues that need to be solved. The objective remains to open free trade negotiations during the Danish Presidency. For this to happen, Japan needs to move in concrete terms.”

There was also support to promote green trade liberalization. The European Commission will prepare a study on the EU’s possible contribution to the liberalisation of trade in green goods and services for discussion on the next Trade Council meeting during the Danish EU Presidency on the 31st of May.

Pia Olsen Dyhr states:

“We should do more to use trade to fight climate change. Trade policy is a key instrument to ensure the spread of green technology to developing countries while also promoting growth and jobs in Europe.”

Lastly, the Council also gave its backing to the Presidency’s overall approach for the upcoming talks with the European Parliament on the new regulation for a Generalized System of Preferences for developing countries.

Pia Olsen Dyhr states:

“I am very satisfied that the Council agreed on the main elements in our proposed approach for the GSP regulation. We achieved the necessary focus such as which countries and products should be covered by the future market access for the poorest countries and the countries in most need. This is an important step, which can help ensure long-lasting growth in some of the world’s poorest countries."