Gender provisions in the EU-Mercosur association agreement

14.12.2017

Question for written answer E-007741-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández (S&D)

With a view to concluding an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur, the fifth round of negotiations took place in November 2017. This marked a breakthrough towards final agreement in all areas, reflected in the commitment by the two parties to completing the process by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Commission is taking the final steps to modernise the trade agreements with Chile and Mexico. As far as Chile is concerned, a ‘Trade and Gender’ chapter is to be incorporated in the new agreement; as regards Mexico, to quote the EEAS, in a joint statement on the fourth round of negotiations on political and cooperation issues, ‘substantive progress’ has been made on various fronts, including ‘gender equality’.

The oversight provided by civil society, and its involvement in negotiations, are, moreover, essential in order to achieve a good agreement, in other words one that is transparent and inclusive.

In view of the agreements with Chile and Mexico — and even though this was not authorised in the prior negotiating mandate — will the Commission include gender-related provisions in the agreement with Mercosur?

In what ways is civil society in the Mercosur countries involved in, and supporting, the conclusion of the agreement?