Consensus and transparency in trade agreements

In recent years, EU trade policy has become a true issue of debate in the civil society at national level: that shows the need to bring trade policy closer to EU citizens. EU Member States have different existing national structures, procedures and consultation methods, as well as ratification processes; however, citizens from most countries not always seem to be able to fully express their voices in national debates on trade policy.

The objective of the event will be to assess and examine the different kinds of consultation procedures that exist in the Member States; explore how civil society and consultative structures, wherever they exist, are informed or consulted on negotiations and implementation of trade agreements; promote the experience of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in the domain of the EU trade policy.