Market Access Symposium: "Opening Borders to Businesses"
© Europa
- On: 27.11.2008
- In: Paris
During this symposium, businesses and national and European political authorities will exchange their views concerning responses designed to improve market access for businesses.
The "Opening Borders to Businesses" Market Access Symposium, organised in collaboration with the European Commission, will give European businesses the opportunity to express their views concerning the difficulties associated with access to foreign markets and their operational solutions to these issues.
Today, the European Union is the world's leading trading power ahead of the United States. It accounts for 19% of global trade and supports the liberalisation of international trade for the benefit of all.
The European Union's Common Commercial Policy (CCP) is an essential part of its external relations policy. Indeed, the CCP governs the trade relations of the Member States with the rest of the world and is based on a set of uniform rules.
Furthermore, the CCP is an exclusive competence of the European Union and as such, it allows the European Union to negotiate on the international stage on behalf of the 27 Member States through the intermediary of Trade Commissioner Ashton. On this account, the CCP is certainly one of the most integrated European policies.
On the basis of the Commission's communication of April 2007 entitled "Global Europe: a stronger partnership to deliver market access for European exporters", the General Affairs and External Relations Council of June 2007 adopted conclusions on a "renewed market access strategy". This is the context in which the Market Access Symposium will be held.
The day-long conference will be structured around four discussions on specific topics.
The following issues will be covered:
- How does the partnership intend to remove the new constraints?
The concept of the reciprocity of exchanges with our partners is at the heart of numerous analyses. European countries would have greater opportunities to expand their business if the markets of third countries were more open to competition. Furthermore, this opening would be fair compensation for the opening of the Community market and would promote fairer economic competition.
- Corporate expectations and solutions provided by the Market Access Strategy.
- Infringements of intellectual property rights - the new dangers.
Intellectual property rights have become key aspects of international competitiveness, hence the need for greater protection. The French Presidency would like to promote fairer competition in a sustainable environment.
- Choosing a strategy for identifying and lifting market access barriers in the service sector.
The presence of representatives of businesses and French ministers, along with representatives of the Commission, will allow for an exchange of views on the involvement of national and European political authorities in this field.
- Updated: 29.12.2008
