According to the resistance against TTIP and CETA, the EU had promised more openness. However, the proposed free trade agreement with Japan is prepared for in breast-feeding. Secret papers show: Important EU-Standards jiggle.
Japanese national flag in the port of Tokyo (archive image)
In the negotiations on a free trade agreement between the EU and Japan, reports the consumer is at risk, according to media protection. Also, as regards the jurisdiction of national courts for the settlement of disputes, the European Union has to date not been successful, report to the NDR, WDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (SZ).
The newspaper refers to secret negotiating documents that would have seen the three media. The documents had been provided by Greenpeace and other sources. Further Details were not disclosed.
Free travel on hormone-treated meat?
As one of the dispute cases of the SZ called the so-called precautionary principle, which occurs in the draft of the Japanese Treaty. Without this principle, the EU can ban the import of about of hormone-treated meat or genetically modified foods only if their health are proven dangers scientifically. Appropriate suspicion for a ban is enough.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the CEBIT computer fair in March
Japan lock themselves in non-public negotiations so far, even against one of the EU’s proposed investment court, the investors in case of dispute, to call. Instead, insisted the Asians on private courts of arbitration, negotiate behind closed doors.
The question of Jurisdiction was also in the negotiations for the transatlantic free trade agreements TTIP and CETA, a Central point of contention. Even under US President Barack Obama, the EU had begun with the United States, the discussions about TTIP, which could not be completed. The CETA agreement with Canada was signed in October.
The second most important trade partner in Asia
The EU and Japan are also as a sign against U.S. protectionism to an early conclusion of the EPA agreement referred to. The negotiations were opened four years ago. So far, 17 have been postponed. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said recently, the contract work should be completed this year. For Germany – as well as for the EU as a whole – is Japan to China, the second-most important trading partner in Asia. The German economy, it is mainly a better access to the Japanese market.
jj/se (dpa, rtr, wdr)