European Union

Tuesday, 12 March

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Citizens are calling on the European Parliament to vote against EU political and economic agreements with Chile and Kenya, with many people writing to the President of the European Parliament on this subject in March 2024. These citizens are concerned that the agreements would be detrimental to local populations and environmental protection. They demand that Parliament review the EU’s trade policy.

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President (in French):

English

On 29 February 2024, the European Parliament approved EU agreements with Kenya and Chile.

On Parliament’s website, you can find the results of the votes. To display them, click on the + to the left of the headings (points 1, 4 and 5). The votes are sorted into three groups: in favour (+), against (-) and abstentions (0), and are listed by political group. At the top of the page, you can filter the results by political group, country or Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

The European Commission negotiates EU international agreements on the instructions of the Council of the EU (the governments of member countries). At the end of the negotiations, the Council adopts the agreement. Parliament’s role is then limited to approving or rejecting the agreement. It has no power to amend it.

The President of the European Parliament cannot influence Members’ votes. In accordance with Article 2 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, Members exercise their mandate freely and independently.

You may also be interested in some additional information about the two agreements.

Agreements with Chile

In December 2023, the EU and Chile signed agreements to modernise and replace the 2002 Association Agreement that currently governs their relations.

The agreements establish a framework for deeper and broader political and economic cooperation with Chile, for example on foreign affairs and security, climate change, sustainable energy and human rights.

Under the agreements, over 95 % of trade between the EU and Chile will be duty-free. However, trade restrictions will remain in place for the most sensitive agricultural products, notably meat, certain fruit and vegetables, and olive oil. More information is available in this press release.

The European Parliament voted on two separate agreements with Chile: an Interim Trade Agreement, which is ratified at EU-level only, and a broader agreement (Advanced Framework Agreement), which must also be ratified by every EU country. The Interim Trade Agreement will expire when the Advanced Framework Agreement enters into force.

Parliament also adopted a resolution explaining its position on these agreements.

Agreement with Kenya

In December 2023, the EU and Kenya signed an Economic Partnership Agreement, with the aim of boosting bilateral trade, increasing investment, contributing to sustainable economic growth and working towards a green transition away from fossil fuel use. The agreement focuses on climate and environmental protection, workers’ rights and gender equality.

This agreement will further open the European market to Kenyan products and encourage European investment in Kenya. It aims to strengthen the EU’s relations with Africa.

French

Le 29 février dernier, le Parlement européen a approuvé les accords UE-Kenya et UE-Chili.

Sur le site du Parlement, vous pouvez trouver les résultats des votes, en cliquant sur le + à gauche des titres (points 1, 4 et 5). Les voix sont classées en trois catégories : pour (+), contre (-) et abstention (0), et sont listés par groupe politique. En haut de la page, vous avez la possibilité de filtrer les résultats par groupe politique, par pays ou par député.

Les accords internationaux sont négociés par la Commission européenne sur instruction du Conseil de l’UE (gouvernements des pays membres). À l’issue des négociations, le Conseil adopte l’accord. Le rôle du Parlement se limite alors à approuver ou rejeter l’accord. Il n’a pas le pouvoir de le modifier.

Nous tenons à préciser que la Présidente du Parlement européen ne peut pas influencer le vote des députés européens. Conformément à l’article 2 du règlement intérieur du Parlement, les députés européens exercent leur mandat de façon libre et indépendante.

Par ailleurs, quelques informations supplémentaires par rapport aux deux accords pourraient vous intéresser.

Accords avec le Chili

En décembre 2023, l’UE et le Chili ont signé des accords en vue de moderniser et de remplacer l’accord d’association de 2002 qui régit actuellement leurs relations.

Les accords établissent le cadre d’une coopération politique et économique plus approfondie et plus étendue avec le Chili, par exemple dans les domaines des affaires étrangères et de la sécurité, du changement climatique, de l’énergie durable et des droits humains.

Plus de 95 % des échanges commerciaux entre l’UE et le Chili seront exemptées de droits de douane. Cependant, des restrictions commerciales demeureront en place pour les produits agricoles les plus sensibles, notamment la viande, certains fruits et légumes, et l’huile d’olive. Plus d’information est disponible dans ce communiqué de presse.

Le Parlement européen a voté sur deux accords distincts avec le Chili : un accord commercial intérimaire, qui doit être ratifié uniquement au niveau de l’UE, et un accord plus large (accord-cadre avancé), qui doit être également ratifié par chacun des pays de l’UE. L’accord commercial intérimaire expirera lorsque l’accord-cadre avancé entrera en vigueur.

Par ailleurs, le Parlement a adopté une résolution expliquant sa position sur les accords.

Accord avec le Kenya

En décembre 2023, l’UE et le Kenya ont signé un accord de partenariat économique, avec pour objectifs de stimuler le commerce bilatéral, augmenter les investissements, contribuer à une croissance économique durable, et œuvrer à la transition écologique. L’accord met l’accent sur la protection du climat et de l’environnement, les droits des travailleurs et l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes.

Cet accord ouvrira davantage le marché européen aux produits kényans et encouragera les investissements européens au Kenya. Il vise à renforcer les relations de l’UE avec l’Afrique.

Background

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

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