Possible division of the EU-Mercosur agreement
10.2.2021
Question for written answer E-000828/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Manu Pineda (The Left)
In October of last year, the European Parliament approved a resolution[1] stressing (in paragraph 36) that the Association Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur could not be ratified ‘as it stands’, owing to its environmental impact, lack of commitments on human and labour rights and incompatibility with the Paris Agreement. Although it is a mixed agreement that needs to be ratified unanimously within the Council, approved by the EP and ratified by each Member State’s parliament, the agreement can be split to enable separate approval of the trade chapter, the most controversial part of the agreement and the most deserving of debate. This would obviate the need for a unanimous vote in the Council and enable approval of the agreement qualified majority, thus circumventing the European Parliament and the national parliaments.
- 1.Does the Commission think that this strategy would be an acceptable way of proceeding on a trade agreement that is so controversial because there is no European consensus on it?
- 2.What view does the Commission take of the joint statement by European and Southern Cone trade union confederations[2], rejecting the agreement as it stands and supporting the position of this Parliament?