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Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements: AmCham EU responds to European Commission Consultation
AmCham EU members have responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on the trade component of the EU’s Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements with six partner countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.
The public consultation, which makes up part of the European Commission’s ‘Regulatory Fitness’ evaluation, sought the inputs of the business sector, government agencies and NGOs operating in the EU and the Euro-Mediterranean region. The results of the consultation will feed into the implementation of the agreements, and will fuel further discussions with partner countries on lessons learned for the future.
Digitally-enabled trade has huge potential for all sectors of the economy, under the proviso that trade deals lift to the greatest extent possible any barriers to entry for trade in digital. AmCham EU therefore recommends that all EU Association Agreements should include chapters on digitally-enabled trade.
AmCham EU also highlighted that the current market access commitments have been in place since the 1990s. There is, therefore, significant scope to upgrade these existing agreements, particularly in light of the latest developments in trade facilitation chapters, of which the EU has been a pioneer. The entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement at the level of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a game-changer in this regard, and chapters in the trade agreements with the Euro-Mediterranean partner countries should reflect this.
We welcome the opportunity to offer input on the Free Trade Agreements contained in the Association Agreements between the EU and Euro-Mediterranean countries. When implemented well, such agreements can foster economic growth at national level for all parties involved and bring a wealth of benefits for consumers and businesses. We will continue to provide input on all areas of relevance to AmCham EU’s members.