International Trade, Enlargement & Integration of New Member States

Chairman: Mr Karl H. Pisec
Advisers: Mr Ralph Kamphöner, Mr Andreas Berger
Assistant: Ms Géraldine Verbrugghe

A. INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

 

"It is the motor of open trade that will provide the opportunities to generate
wealth that will see us through the current downturn."
Commissioner Ashton, 18 March 2009

 

 

A liberal, yet predictable, trade policy is an important prerequisite for more competitiveness in Europe. Multilateral and bilateral trade liberalisation, less protectionism, more predictability and legal certainty are the cornerstones of the trade policy Europe needs. EuroCommerce has a major role to play in anticipating future challenges and ensuring coordinated action by the sector.

 

 

For further information, please see also:

Position papers

 

 

International Trade: Boosting Europe - November 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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B. INTEGRATION OF NEW MEMBER STATES AND ENLARGEMENT

 

"We will keep on working on a carefully managed and gradual accession process in South East Europe."
Olli Rehn, Commissioner for Enlargement, 4 March 2009

 

 

Cyprus and Malta joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2008 and Slovakia followed on 1 January 2009. EuroCommerce has participated in many events connected to the introduction of the Euro and is providing constant updates on the topic. In 2008, we organized Committee meetings and seminars on the services directive. Croatia's accession negotiations are advancing and should be concluded in the course of 2009.

In 2009, members will continue to receive details of lessons learnt from past changeovers to the Euro.
The integration of organisations from the new member states and from candidate countries will improve
their understanding of the community acquis and of the functioning of the EU institutions.

 

In 2009 EuroCommerce will continue to maintain close contact with the European institutions on Croatia's accession negotiations and will deliver regular updates to members.