PRESS STATEMENT - 19.01.2016

Members of the European Parliament’s international trade committee adopted recommendations for the European Commission on the ongoing ‘Trade in Services’ (TiSA) negotiations. TiSA is an agreement currently being negotiated by the EU and 22 countries. Its objective is to liberalise and facilitate trade in services like e-commerce, telecommunications, financial services and transport.

Monique Goyens, Director General of The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), commented:

“Consumer issues should be top of the agenda when the EU and 22 of its biggest trade partners decide on future rules for trade in services such as telecommunications, financial services and e-commerce. We welcome that the European Parliament is telling the Commission to do just that.

“Affordable roaming fees or support for consumers facing problems with foreign service providers are just some of many examples how trade deals can benefit people. We urge the Commission to listen to MEPs and step up its effort to convince its trading partners that trade policy is about people.”