Joint Declaration of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament on an instrument to deter and counteract coercive actions by third countries

(2021/C 49/01)

The Commission takes note of the concerns of the Parliament and Member States as to the practices of certain third countries to seek to coerce the Union and/or its Member States to take or withdraw particular policy measures. The Commission shares the view that such practices raise significant concerns. The Commission confirms its intention to further examine a possible instrument, which could be adopted in order to dissuade or offset coercive actions by third countries and which would allow the expeditious adoption of countermeasures triggered by such actions. The Commission intends to continue its assessment and on the basis of that assessment, taking into account all relevant circumstances, adopt a legislative proposal providing for a mechanism allowing to dissuade or offset such actions in a manner consistent with international law. As announced in the Letter of Intent of the President of the Commission to the President of the Parliament and President in office of the Council of 16 September 2020 the Commission shall adopt the proposal in any case no later than the end of 2021, or earlier, should the need arise as a result of coercive action taken by a third country.

The Council and the European Parliament take note of the intention of the Commission to submit a proposal for an instrument to deter and counteract coercive actions by third countries. Both institutions are committed to fulfil their institutional role as co-legislators and to consider the proposal in a timely manner, taking into account the Union’s obligations under public international law and WTO law as well as relevant developments in international trade.