Secondly, it is designed to be all-inclusive so that all parties feel that they have gained and not lost from the ongoing negotiations. Finally, it lays down what the EU is prepared to do in the process of trade reform, as well as asking others what they intend to contribute. This constructive input from the EU is well-timed, according to Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. The EU is completely committed to negotiate a balanced agreement. In a successful trade negotiation, everyone wins and we are confident that our proposal is designed to achieve this.
European agriculture is also about the environment, consumers and food safety.
This is why we will stand firm to defend these non-trade concerns in the WTO talks. This level is still historically quite high, nevertheless it confirms the downward trend registered since last August. This decline is in line with a slowing down in the industrial production since last summer, which is still, however, hovering far above its average between 1986 and 2000. The development of the indicator points to good but more cautious confidence of the industrial firms in the euro area. Furthermore, the Commission has decided to refer Austria to the European Court of Justice for its failure to comply with the same Directive.