Socialists and Democrats today called on the European People's Party (EPP) to be transparent and open about the vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) scheduled next week.

 

The international trade committee in the European Parliament must vote next Thursday 21 June on a recommendation to accept or reject ACTA, which was negotiated by the European Commission last year.

 

The author of the parliamentary report, S&D Euro MP David Martin, will recommend a negative vote, whereas the EPP's amendment recommends ratifying ACTA and the conservatives of the ECR group want to postpone a decision on ACTA.

  

S&D spokesperson on trade, Euro MP Bernd Lange, said:

 

"We won't accept any delaying tactics or any secrecy around the vote. Many citizens are concerned about the consequences of ratifying ACTA and they have the right to know.

 

"Socialists and Democrats have nothing to hide. We are confident that we will be able to build a majority against ACTA.

 

"Four parliamentary committees – the committees for legal affairs, civil liberties, industry and development – have already recommended the Parliament rejects the international trade agreement.

 

"We are ready to start working with all the political groups on better ways to protect copyright and the creativity of EU companies and manufacturers without endangering fundamental rights. However, we first need to close the unfortunate ACTA chapter. It was wrong from the beginning. It was negotiated in secrecy and we won't accept any more closed-door decisions on this controversial topic."

 

The plenary of the Parliament will vote on the recommendation to support or reject ACTA on 4 July.

 

 

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Associated media

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