On 10 March, Cerame-Unie attended BUSINESSEUROPE’s FTAs working group meeting and had the opportunity to exchange views with the European Commission on the state of play and future developments of the negotiations of the EU agreements.
Between 22 and 26 February, the EU and the US held a 12th round of negotiations in Brussels with a view to conclude the TTIP negotiations in 2016. While discussions focused on the three pillars of the agreement (i.e. market access, regulatory cooperation and rules), two new rounds of negotiations will take place before the summer break.
On 29 February, the European Commission announced the completion of the legal review of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with modifications to the Investment chapters (e.g. inclusion of a new Investment Court System). CETA is expected to be signed in 2016.
On 8 April, the European Commission announced that the EU and Mercosur agreed to resume negotiations for a free trade agreement. Both sides will exchange their market access offers during the second week of May and then meet again in June. Further negotiations will follow in September and November.
Moreover, the European Commission launched three public consultations on the future of EU trade and economic relations with Australia and New Zealand (launched on 14 March), with the Philippines and with Turkey. Negotiations with the Philippines were launched in December 2015 and negotiations with Australia and New Zealand are expected to start after spring 2017.