Events

On 4th March the Robert Schuman Foundation organised a seminar on the theme of "Is Europe supporting its companies to export?" in Brussels at the European Parliament. This seminar took place with Ignasi Guardans, MEP and David O'Sullivan, Director General for External Trade at the European Commission, with the participation of a number of company heads and several representatives from Parliament and the Commission in attendance.

Using real situations as their starting point speakers presented the problems encountered by companies when they tried to export outside the European Union. They called on the Commission to implement procedures that aimed to guarantee free, fair competition between European companies and third country companies and to ensure that there was reciprocity.

They also discussed the issue of market access, notably public procurement and issues related to standards. Finally they appealed to the Commission for greater dialogue between the directorate general notably with regard to international negotiations (for example at the WTO) to reduce commercial impediments that may still exist.