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Wednesday, 11 May 2011 - Strasbourg OJ edition

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Text tabled : B7-0287/2011

  Jens Rohde (ALDE).(DA) Mr President, it is amazing every time we discuss free trade in this Parliament. A few old radio signals from Radio Tirana always turn up in the debate. At any rate, that is the impression you can get when you listen to the thoughts of the Left on free trade. They thereby make it clear that they have not learnt anything at all from history.

We are now talking about the region of Japan. The EU and Japan are two of the world’s largest economies. Together, we account for a fifth of global trade. We invest significant sums in each other’s economies, we have common interests at global level and yet the negotiations are only progressing slowly. Therefore, let us say from our side that the barriers must be removed. We have to accept that concessions are needed from both sides, because together our economies can complement each other and create innovation, growth and jobs.

 
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