- Before the vote on the legislative resolution:

  Pablo Zalba Bidegain, rapporteur. – (ES) Mr President, the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea will open up opportunities for both European and Korean industry, but in order to prevent any negative effects on European industry, it is essential to have an effective safeguard clause.

All the political groups unanimously decided last week that the time had come for Parliament to take a position in plenary on the amendments adopted by 27 votes in favour and just one abstention in the Committee on International Trade in June, which are vital in order for the safeguard clause to be applicable and effective.

As you are aware, we are going to vote solely on the amendments and, in accordance with Rule 57, we will defer the vote on the legislative report to the second part-session in October.

At the same time, we unanimously decided not to close the door on a possible agreement at first reading, which we firmly believe will be possible. However, in order to do so, it is vitally important that we send a clear signal of unity and strength from all the political groups.

That is why it is important for Parliament as a whole to strongly support the whole package of amendments.

  Andris Piebalgs, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, as Commissioner De Gucht recalled yesterday, the Commission welcomes the fruitful cooperation with Parliament on this file. Today’s vote is only on the amendments, and not on the whole legislative proposal, so as to bring the points of view closer and possibly reach an agreement at first reading. A first trialogue took place on 30 August and the next is foreseen for around 22 September.

At this stage, the Commission does not wish to express itself publicly, in order to allow the trialogues to fully play their role. The Commission will take its stand, express itself and make commitments, if necessary, at the time of the first reading vote.

(The proposal was accepted)