MEP hopes new Trade Commissioner will heed development concerns

Background

Both DG Trade and the lobbying organisation Business Europe are housed at the same location, the Charlemagne Building. This geographical proximity makes lobbying easier for Business Europe, MEP Jens Holm says. Prompted to action by the apparently close relationship between a lobby group and a DG sharing the same building, the letter stresses the need for transparency and European Union Policy coherence.

Issues

In an open letter, the MEP expressed his concern that the EU trade strategy is still neglecting sustainable development and fair trade rules. He urges the recently appointed Commissioner Baroness Catherine Ashton to take into account the fairness dimension in Trade Policy, to treat Business Europe as the lobbying organisation it is, and commit to undertake measures in favour of development policy. Since, according to Holm, actions speak better than words, it is important that DG Trade works in closer cooperation on social and development issues in the respect of fair trade rules.

EPHA comments

Despite the wish for more coherence between EU development and trade policies, there is still along way to go. This is not unique to DG Trade but a endemic problem within the Commission where development, health and social issues are being supported by certain DGs and undermined by others.

For further information

 Letter to Baroness Ashton