Progressive Caucus: Press conference before the event “CETA, TTIP: two sides of the same coin?”

 

Brussels, 02.09.2016

The steering committee of the Progressive Caucus has the pleasure to invite you to a press conference before its first public event “CETA, TTIP: two sides of the same coin?” It will take place on Tuesday 6th of September 9.30-10.00 am in the European Parliament, Brussels, room ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA  - PHS 0A50. Interpretation in English, French, Greek, Spanish and German will be available.

Sergio Cofferati, MEP S&D: “CETA negotiations have been conducted without the necessary public debate. The result is a very dangerous agreement which does not ensure a full respect of workers’ rights and labour standards.”

Fabio De Masi, MEP GUE/NGL: "CETA is the little brother of TTIP and needs to be buried alongside it. The investment court system still undermines our justice system. A provisional application of CETA before decision of national parliaments is unacceptable."

Eva Joly, MEP Greens/EFA: “The negotiation of new trade agreements putting multinational companies above choices of citizens would be an unbearable turning point for our democracies.”

Curzio Maltese, MEP GUE/NGL: “CETA is nothing more than TTIP in disguise, and it is much more dangerous given how close it is to becoming implemented. The negotiation process has been utterly non-transparent and bereft of democratic scrutiny.”

Guillaume Balas, MEP S&D: “It would be unacceptable to adopt CETA without having first informed Members of Parliaments and citizens on the content of the agreement. In this sense, the Progressive Caucus debate aims to unite progressive European forces fighting for a democratic, fair and sustainable Europe.”

Emmanuel Maurel, MEP S&D: “CETA is the first stage of the European Union’s newest free-trade rocket, as well as the symbol of an irrational belief in deregulation and downwards harmonisation as privileged solutions to Europe’s crises.”

Dimitrios Papadimoulis, MEP GUE/NGL: “The Progressive Caucus is a progressive pole for developing common, extroverted action on issues where our views coincide. We want to strengthen the dynamics of convergence, dialogue and unity in diversity.”

Ernest Urtasun, MEP Greens/EFA: “The Progressive Caucus will be a unique platform to unite efforts in favour of a radical change in Europe. We want to work together to build a new dynamic in today’s Europe to empower citizens to rebuild a Europe of solidarity, democracy and ecology.”

Registration by Monday 5th September, 5 pm. In order to get accreditation, please send your full name, media, nationality, date of birth, type and number of identity document at marie.geredakis@europarl.europa.eu

Members of the steering committee will be happy to inform you about activities against CETA and future cooperation of the Progressive Caucus, an initiative launched by MEPs coming from three different political groups in the European Parliament.

Press contact: Marie Geredakis, marie.geredakis@europarl.europa.eu +33 6 20090467

Facebook Page: UnravellingCETA

Website of the campaign Unravelling CETA: http://www.unravellingceta.eu/