The main progressive group in the European Parliament today complained to EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, that Euro MPs have been denied the documents on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiations.

 

Mr De Gucht today held a one-hour discussion with members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs at the European Parliament. But S&D MEPs said there could be no serious debate since members do not know the content of the negotiations.

 

EP vice president and S&D member Stavros Lambrinidis said: "It is unacceptable that the latest document is not available for this debate and that it will be accessible only at a later stage in a closed room. It was therefore impossible for us to have a serious discussion about the state of the play on ACTA negotiations.

 

"The European Parliament has co-decision powers for trade agreements and it should be informed at all stages of the negotiation. If the negotiators have nothing to hide, they should have nothing to fear about making the document available to the public."

 

Mr Lambrinidis called on the Commission to reveal which negotiating partner has refused to make the document public for the citizens.

 

He called on other MEPs to sign written declaration 12/2010 on the lack of a transparent process for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and potentially objectionable content that has so far been signed by more than 350 Euro MPs.

 

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Associated media

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