Search

On 10 November 2016 , the European Commission and the EU's High Representative, Federica Mogherini, set out a joint agenda for the future of our oceans, proposing 50 actions for safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed oceans in Europe and around the world.

The Joint Communication is an integral part of the EU's response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular to the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 'to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources'. It builds on a widely shared understanding that the framework for ocean governance needs to be strengthened, that pressures on the oceans need to be reduced and that the world's oceans must be used sustainably.

The Joint Communication proposes ways the EU can step up and play a stronger role at global and regional level in shaping the way oceans are managed and used. It sets out detailed actions to shape international governance in three priority areas:
 improving the international framework for ocean governance;
 reducing human pressures on the oceans and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy;
strengthening international ocean research and data.

With reference to trade policy, the Better Regulation agenda entails systematic on-line public consultations on all significant trade initiatives; the consultation of stakeholders in the Sustainability Impact Assessments (SIAs); and a commitment to carry out more systematic ex post evaluations after the agreements have been implemented.

Further efforts are being undertaken as part of the Enhanced Partnership for Implementation of trade agreements with other EU institutions, Member States and stakeholders. It includes jointly reviewing how to best use the existing structures (reinforced MAP but also European Parliament monitoring groups, civil society monitoring mechanisms, economic diplomacy channels in third countries, etc.) to implement trade agreements more effectively. It also looks again at how implementation issues are prioritized and at awareness-raising with stakeholders. In particular, to ensure the Trade and Sustainable Development chapters of its trade agreements are properly implemented, the EU is giving civil society an important role. For each trade agreement the EU is setting up Domestic Advisory Groups (DAG) composed by representatives of workers, employers and non-governmental organizations.

The "Trade for All" Communication has broadened and deepened the agenda in areas like trade and sustainable development, human rights, anti-corruption, while establishing a reformed approach towards investment protection.

Today Europeans have access to products and services from all continents thanks to easier travel and digital networks. New trade agreements can further expand choice and lower prices but, at the same time, the EU must remain vigilant and respect consumer demands to ensure that traded products and services are safe and have been produced respecting human rights, labour rights and the environment.

The EU, in line with its established trade policy, ensures that no EU trade agreement will lead to lower levels of consumer, environmental or social and labour protection than offered today in the European Union, nor that they will constrain the ability of the EU and Member States to take measures in the future to achieve legitimate public policy objectives on the basis of the level of protection they deem appropriate.

The EU Treaties require that the EU promotes its principles and values, including the development of poorer countries, social and environmental protection, and respect for human rights, in its external action.

The EU is in the lead on using trade policy to promote the social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. This is done in a positive, incentive-based way and moving on a range of projects and at different levels.