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Trade policy and you
The importance of engagement
"These meetings are a very useful way to connect with you as representatives of European people. I am confident that with the support of civil society we will be able to deliver real results for Europe and our partners in the developing world."
EU Commissioner Karel De Gucht, Civil Society Dialogue Meeting, Brussels, 3 December 2012.
Trade policy affects EU citizens and is made with their input. The European Commission aims to listen to all input so that the policy most accurately reflects EU society's values and interests as a whole.
This takes place through a variety of channels before, during and after the negotiating process:
Before:
- when the EU is formulating policy or negotiating trade interests, we try to reach out to all stakeholders – business, trade unions, NGOs, the broader public – through consultations.
- We have specific events on trade policy in Brussels and around the world on specific trade topics, often as a means to gather input as a policy area is developing.
During:
- we draw on the expertise of all stakeholders to sure the trade deals we strike are in the European interest and will work in practice. We have regular meetings of our civil society dialogue which often attract representatives from 60-80 organisations from many walks of life.
- DG Trade pays the travel costs for all attendees coming from outside Brussels, and has done so for years, because we value the opinions and expertise that this broad range of stakeholders bring to our reflections and to our policy making.
After:
- civil society organisations participate in the monitoring of trade agreements that were concluded between the EU and partner countries, specifically on social and environmental issues.
The European Commission is committed to providing clear information on trade policy across the board.
- An electronic newsletter, EU Trade News as well as specific newsletters on various topics. EU Trade News can be received in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arab, Chinese and Japanese.
- Twitter to spread information quickly and to engage with people Follow @Trade_EU
- We publish more detailed publications on certain key topics.
- The latest trade news can be found in the news archive.
- If you want further information please contact us.
More on EU trade policy and you
- What is trade policy
- How trade policy is made
- How the EU works in the WTO
- Trade Sustainability Impact Assessments are a policy tool for the prior assessment of the economic, social and environmental implications of a trade negotiation.
- Evaluations are used by the European Commission to assess the extent to which EU policies are reaching their objectives.
- What are the trade rules and requirements in practice.
- DG Trade's Management Plan 2013
- DG Trade's Annual Activity Report 2011
