Trade in Services Agreement (TISA)

8.9.2014

Question for written answer E-006690-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mario Borghezio (NI)

According to various sources in the press, the draft of the above agreement provides for the abolition of all such restrictions as still remain on the big banks and hedge funds, and seeks to close down or privatise all types of services provided by the public sector, including health, education and transport, which are essential services for European citizens.

In April, Public Services International (PSI) published a report entitled ‘TISA versus Public Services’. It warns that TISA will prevent governments from providing vital public services such as health, child day care and postal services, as well as energy and water. ‘TISA would bring about the privatisation of public services. The proposed agreement could also in future prevent governments from restoring public control over services, even in cases in which public operators had failed.’

1. What is the Commission’s opinion of the public services which currently exist in the various Member States, with reference to TISA?

2. What is the EU’s negotiating position?