Negotiations for an EU/Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement. Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS

The European Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 111, with 39 abstentions a resolution containing the European Parliament’s recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service on the negotiations for an EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA).

Parliament recalled that the relations between the EU and Canada were built on shared interests and values formally dating back to 1976. The SPA currently under negotiation would update and revitalise the relationship between the EU and Canada and considerably contribute to the relations between the parties.  

The SPA, beyond improving the institutional structure of relations, alongside the CETA, would provide Europe’s and Canada’s citizens with tangible benefits and opportunities as long as all stakeholders are involved in the process. The opening of markets and regulatory cooperation is expected to generate important economic gains and have positive effects on employment for both Canada and the EU and, in light of broadening the transatlantic partnership and given the existing NAFTA-framework, may lead to the creation of a transatlantic market, a win-win situation for all actors involved as long as current social and environmental standards are not lowered.

In this context, Parliament addressed the following recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service:

Conditionality clause: Parliament indicated that all EU agreements with third countries should include reciprocal conditionality and political clauses on human rights and democracy, as a reaffirmation of the mutual commitment to these values and regardless of the state of protection of human rights in those countries. Accordingly, it insisted that such conditionality should form part of the SPA with Canada, should ensure the consistency of the EU’s common approach on the matter.

Complementary nature of SPA and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Parliament encouraged all the parties involved to initial and sign the SPA and the CETA at their earliest convenience and to underline their complementarity.

Civil society: Members wanted to ensure that civil society and the main stakeholders are fully involved, informed and consulted in the process.

European Parliament: Parliament asked for periodic reports on the implementation of the agreement to be provided. These should present an overview of activities carried out and results achieved with regard to the different areas of the agreement.