Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission

7.1.2015

With respect to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Mr Juncker stated before the Parliament that ‘My Commission will not accept that the jurisdiction of courts in the EU Member States be limited by special regimes for investor-to-state disputes. The rule of law and the principle of equality before the law must also apply in this context’.

Negotiations with Canada on a Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) have been concluded. The Commission has no plans to re-open these negotiations before submitting the agreement to Council and Parliament for approval. Investment protection has been part of the balanced outcome achieved in CETA. If the EU would reopen with the objective to renegotiate, it would push Canada from its side to reopen the concessions it has made with great difficulty. Notably on procurement and geographical indications this risk is real and it could lead to a downward spiral, ultimately unravelling an agreement that is very good for the EU.