EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014

Committee on International Trade

7.1.2014

NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Subject: Report of the delegation of the Committee on International Trade to (, 18-19 December 2013)

Summary

A delegation of the INTA Committee visited Athens from 18 to 19 December 2013 in the run- up to the upcoming Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was led by Mr Vital Moreira (S&D, Chairman of the Committee) and included Mr Metin Kazak (ALDE). The compact programme included a joint meeting with Mr Kostis Chatzidakis, Minister of Development and Competitiveness and Mr Notis Mitarachi, Vice Minister responsible for Trade, a joint meeting of the Committees on Production and Trade, Economics, European Affairs and national Security and International Affairs of the Vouli (The Greek Parliament), as well as a meeting with senior officials involved in the Trade Policy Committee and relevant working groups of the EU Council. The delegation allowed establishing and strengthening of contacts with the major interlocutors in the area of EU’s trade, economic and investment policy in the run-up to the upcoming Greek Presidency of the Council. Meetings with business associations, trade unions and a field trip to a natural cosmetics company completed the program. The visit has proved that the Greek side is well prepared to tackle trade issues during the Presidency and will continue to actively co-operate with the European Parliament, being aware of the short available time until the recess towards the EP elections.

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EN United in diversityEN Details 18 December Meeting with Mr. Kostis Chatzidakis, Minister of Development & Competitiveness and Mr. Notis Mitarachi, Vice Minister of Development & Competitiveness responsible for international trade and investments. The visit commenced with a long and amicable meeting with Kostis Chatzidakis, Minister of Development and Competitiveness ( MEP from 1994 to 2007) and Mr. Notis Mitarachi, Vice Minister responsible for Trade during which they presented the Greek Presidency trade policy priorities: advancing the TTIP negotiations with the US, working towards the implementation of the WTO agreement reached in Bali (Indonesia), addressing non-tariff barriers to trade, completing the CETA agreement with Canada, advancing the investment agreement as part of the FTA with Singapore, the FTA negotiations with Japan, the negotiations for an investment agreement with China and legislative priorities. INTA members flagged their legislative priorities (the regulation dealing with financial responsibility stemming from investor-to-state dispute settlements and the enforcement regulation) for which presently no legislation is in place. They also raised public procurement and the opportunities in EU-Mercosur trade negotiations. The Ministers showed strong commitment of the upcoming Presidency to progress on the very busy trade agenda of the Union in the belief that trade can contribute to growth and jobs in Europe. They stressed the wanted to set realistic targets and deliver on these, showing that Greece can deliver. An informal diner hosted by the Vice Minister and his main advisors in the evening underscored the amicable relations established. Meeting with stakeholders from business organisations The INTA Delegation met with a representative from a large number of business organisations, including representatives from the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEA), the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Greek International Business Association (SEVE), the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (GSEVEE), the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (OPE), the National Confederation of Greek Trade (ESEE and the PanHellenic Exporters Association (PSE). The business representatives stressed the importance of reforms being implemented to facilitate trade from and to Greece. They were looking forward to the EU Presidency and welcomed the opportunity to raise a number of issues with the INTA Delegation. MEPs addressed concerns raised involving Geographical Indications, IPR and imitations, the need for a more active industrial policy as well as the ongoing trade negotiations with various parts of the world and the implementation of the agreements. Meeting with Greek senior civil servants, chairing the trade related Council Working Groups under the Greek Presidency The hands-on and open meeting with senior officials involved in the Trade Policy Committee and relevant working groups of the EU Council showed the commitment of the Greek

PE526.310v01-00 2/7 CM\1015122EN.doc EN Presidency to work constructively with Parliament in the short available time to resolve important legislative files, as is shown by the fact they are already participating in trilogies under Greek Presidency. Meeting at the Vouli (Greek Parliament) The INTA Delegation addressed a joint meeting of the Committees on Production and Trade, Economics, European Affairs and national Security and International Affairs of the Vouli (The Greek Parliament), attended by some 50 members from all political groups. The INTA Delegation underlined the central role Parliament plays in the trade policy of the Union and the busy trade agenda of the Union. The members also addressed concerns expressed by the Greek Parliamentarians regarding in particular the protection of geographical indications in trade agreements. Meeting with Mr. Savvas Rombolis, General Confederation of Greek Workers The meeting with the main private sector trade union (General Confederation of Greek Workers) mainly dealt with the Trade and Sustainable Development chapters in EU Trade agreements. The trade union welcomed the efforts the Union in this domain and supported the insistence on the ILO conventions, but underlined that due to domestic reforms Greece is now itself having problems respecting ILO conventions regarding collective rights. INTA members also addressed concerns of the trade union regarding transparency in trade negotiations. Press conference In the press conference INTA Chairman Moreira underlined the added value of the Union in the field of trade policy as well as the contribution trade can make to overcome the economic crisis. 19 December Field trip to Apivita, Greek natural cosmetics company The program ended with a field trip to natural cosmetic company APIVITA, which through innovation, the creation of niches in the market of cosmetics and its focused export strategy has been able to grow considerably. Members discussed trade policy issue, such as IPR, FTAs and Geographical Indications with senior representatives of the company. Conclusions The visit to Athens helped to strengthen working relationships with the incoming Presidency and deepen the mutual understanding on most pertinent legislative and consent files. A close partnership established ahead of the Presidency will ensure effective co-operation and continuity of work throughout the upcoming three months until the last meeting of INTA prior the European Parliament elections. The authorities of Greece have, despite all their domestic economic problems, demonstrated strong commitment to ensure that the two co-legislators work hand in hand on improving Union's trade policy instruments and progressing in bilateral trade talks. In the awareness that

CM\1015122EN.doc 3/7 PE526.310v01-00 EN the European Parliament elections make their effective time of co-legislative cooperation with Parliament only three months, the Greek Presidency has already participated in trilogue meetings in December to be able to take over rapidly from the Lithuanian Presidency. Meetings with parliamentarians, business and trade union representatives have reconfirmed the responsibility of the policy-makers to address concerns of the people in the awareness that trade policy can have direct impact on the lives of the people. The ministers showed commitment and resolve to achieve results in the belief that trade can contribute to growth and jobs in Europe. The Ministers stressed he wanted to set realistic targets and deliver on these, showing that Greece can deliver.

PE526.310v01-00 4/7 CM\1015122EN.doc EN ANNEX I

16/12/2013 COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE Delegation to Athens, Greece 18 – 19 December 2013

PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Evening: Arrival in Athens (one hour time difference)

Hotel: Hilton Athens hotel, 46 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue Athens, 11528, Greece Telephone: 0030 210 7281000

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

08.30 Departure from the hotel

09.00 - 11.00 Mr. Kostis Chatzidakis, Minister of Development & Competitiveness and Mr. Notis Mitarachi, Vice Minister of Development & Competitiveness responsible for international trade and investments.

Venue: Ministry of Development, Nikis St. 5-7 Athens, 5th floor, room 518

11.00 –12.45: Meeting with stakeholders from business organisations  Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEA): Mr Thomas Katsadouros, Special Advisor to the Chairman on International Affairs  Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV): Mr Charis Kyriazis, Executive Vice-President  Greek International Business Association (SEVE): Dr Kyriakos Loufakis, Vice-President  Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (GSEVEE): Mr Georgios Asmatoglou, Vice President / Mr Dimitris Mpimpas, SME Institute scientific associate

CM\1015122EN.doc 5/7 PE526.310v01-00 EN  Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (OPE): Mr Alkiviadis Kalampokis, Chairman & CEO / Ms Eva Milik, Deputy Director for Industrial and Consumer Products - EU Programmes  National Confederation of Greek Trade (ESEE): Mr Vassilis Korkidis, President / Ms Valia Arvanitou, Director of the Trade & Services Institute  PanHellenic Exporters Association (PSE): Ms Christina Sakellaridis, President / Mr Nikolaos Archontis, Advisor on Research and Investment

Venue: EP Information Office, 8 Leof. Amalias, Tel. +30 / 210 327 10 00

12.45 - 13.45 Lunch break (individual arrangements)

13.45 – 15.00 Meeting with Greek senior civil servants, chairing the trade related Council Working Groups under the Greek Presidency

Venue: Ministry of Development, Nikis St. 5-7 Athens

15.15 - 17.00 Meeting with Members of Greek Parliament: the Committee on Economics, Committee on Production and Trade, the Committee on European Affairs and the Committee on National Security and International Affairs

Venue: Senate room, Greek Parliament, Syntagma Square, Athens

17:00 – 18:00 Meeting with Mr. Savvas Rombolis, General Confederation of Greek Workers

Venue: EP Information Office, 8 Leof. Amalias, Tel. +30 / 210 327 10 00

18.00 – 18.30 Press conference

Venue: EP Information Office, 8 Leof. Amalias, Tel. +30 / 210 327 10 00

20.30 Dinner Reception hosted by Mr. N. Mitarachi, Vice Minister of Development & Competitiveness responsible for international trade and investments

Venue: Athens Club, 11 Eleftherios Venizelos av. 105 64 Athens

PE526.310v01-00 6/7 CM\1015122EN.doc EN Thursday, 19 December 2013

08.20 Departure from the hotel

09.00 – 12.00 Field trip to Apivita, Greek natural cosmetics company

Venue: Industrial Park of Markopoulo, 19003 Markopoulo Mesogaias, Greece Tel: +30 210 2856350, Fax: +30 210 2843580

14.00 End of program. Departures of the participants of the delegation

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