ESF Call for swift signature and ratification of concluded FTAsThe European Services Forum (ESF)

The European Services Forum (ESF)  Chairman Noel Clehane sent a letter to EU Trade Commissioner Malmström and to all Members of the European Commission on 13 April 2018, ahead of the Commission’s College meeting on 17th April in Strasbourg, calling for swift signature and ratification of concluded FTAs, including EU-Japan and EU-Singapore. “In a world that is evolving ever faster with the digitalisation of the economy, ESF members are asking why it is taking so long after the conclusion of the difficult part of the negotiations, to move to the implementation phase” says the letter. ESF urged the Commission to submit the trade parts of these agreements as being full EU competence, to the European Council and the European Parliament, for signature and ratification as soon as possible.