Ref. Ares(2015)4584582 - 26/10/2015
Ref. Ares(2017)3665978 - 20/07/2017
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Directorate-General for Trade
Directorate E - Neighbouring countries, USA and Canada
USA and Canada
Brussels,
USA and Canada
Meeting Report
Report meeting between CM and the European Centre of Employers and
Enterprises providing Public Services (CEEP) – 19 December 2014
Attendants
Valeria RONZITTI – CEEP General Secretary; Rainer PLASSMANN – CEEP Chair
SGI Taskforce; Art. 4.1b
Cecilia Malmström, Miguel Ceballos Baron (CAB),
Art. 4.1b
45 minutes meeting, in which CEEP presented the views of its members concerning
public services (SGIs) and in particular on public procurement and on the link between
concessions and investment notably in the context of CETA (CEEP position on these
issues explained in the attached paper). ISDS and transparency were also raised.
• On Services of General Interest (SGIs), CEEP signalled its main concern is the
preservation of the
acquis communitaire, notably concerning public procurement
rules. CEEP explained its analysis of how CEEP believes the CETA provisions in
the investment chapter on inclusion of the award of concessions and in the
procurement chapter on "in-house" rules will/may have an effect on the SGIs
acquis. CEEP believes investors from Canada could bring claims against
violations of the two chapters. The attached papers summarises the position of
CEEP on these issues.
• On ISDS CEEP noted the radical stance of some its member but stressed that
CEEP overall supports the inclusion of ISDS subject to certain improvements as
per CEEP's contribution to the consultation.
• CEEP welcomed the new transparency initiative and encouraged the Commission
to do an effort in explaining better and clearer about its policies and activities. It
is not enough to simply say that SGIs will not be touched.
• CEEP reiterated its interest to become a member of the Advisory Group (AG).
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
• CEEP looks forward to future meetings of the Civil Society Dialogue with the
Commissioner.
The Commissioner expressed her commitment to continue engaging with stakeholders,
provided an update on the transparency initiative and informed CEEP about the
publication on 13 January of the report of the ISDS consultation. She thanked CEEP for
the input provided, encouraged CEEP to continue engaging with her team and DG Trade
and ensured CEEP an appropriate follow-up would be given to the document handed
during the meeting. On CEEP's request to become a member of the AG the
Commissioner highlighted the various means and fora stakeholders have to share their
views on our policies. She did not close the door to invite CEEP to a meeting subject to
the topic under discussion.
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Document Outline