Transatlantic trade and investment partnership — exclusion of audiovisual services

18.4.2013

Question for written answer E-004387-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Marielle Gallo (PPE)

On 12 March 2013, the Commission presented a proposal for a negotiating mandate for a free trade agreement with the United States entitled ‘Transatlantic trade and investment partnership’.

The mandate proposal does not explicitly exclude audiovisual services, and it should not be forgotten that promoting cultural diversity is one of the EU’s objectives, as enshrined in Article 167 TFEU. Yet the EU has systematically excluded audiovisual services from trade agreements since the Uruguay Round, the most recent example being the negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA).

1. Is the Commission aiming to exclude audiovisual services from the free trade agreement with the United States?

2. If not, what reasons would justify a change in the EU’s position on audiovisual services under the common trade policy?

OJ C 33 E, 05/02/2014