Declaration of the Commission

(2021/C 49/05)

Upon the adoption of the Regulation in 2014, the Commission committed to an effective communication and exchange of views with the European Parliament and the Council on trade disputes that may lead to the adoption of measures under the Regulation, and on enforcement actions in general. Mindful of the overarching objective of effective and efficient enforcement of Union’s rights under the Union’s international trade agreements, the Commission will continue to promote and streamline its interactions with the European Parliament and the Council to the mutual benefit.

In particular, the Commission undertakes to examine, as part of its enhanced enforcement system, alleged violations of the Union’s international trade agreements when raised by the Parliament, its Members, or its Committees, or by the Council on the understanding that such requests be accompanied by supporting evidence. The Commission will keep the Parliament and the Council informed of the output of its enhanced enforcement work.

In deploying the enhanced enforcement system, the Commission will pay equal attention to alleged breaches of the trade and sustainable development provisions of EU trade agreements as to alleged breaches of market access systems. The processing of alleged breaches of trade and sustainable provisions will be fully integrated into the system. The Commission will prioritise those cases which are particularly serious in terms of their effect on workers or the environment in a trade context, which have systemic importance and which are legally sound.

The Commission will continue to fully engage in dedicated sessions with the responsible Parliamentary committee to exchange views on trade disputes and enforcement actions, including with regard to impacts on Union industries. In this context, the Commission will continue its reporting practice by providing periodically a state of play on all pending disputes and instant information for major developments in relation to disputes at the same time such information is shared with Member States. This reporting and information sharing will take place through the responsible committees in the Council and in the Parliament.

At the same time, the Commission will continue keeping the Parliament and the Council regularly informed of international developments that may lead to situations requiring the adoption of measures under the Regulation.

Finally, the Commission reaffirms its commitments under Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council to promptly transmit to the Parliament and to the Council draft implementing acts that it submits to the committee of Member States as well as final draft implementing acts following the delivery of opinions in the committee. This is managed via the comitology register.