European Parliament votes to ask European court whether EU-Mercosur agreement complies with EU treaties

The European Parliament voted on January 21 to request the European Court of Justice to assess whether the EU-Mercosur agreement is in conformity with the EU treaties.

With 334 votes in favour, 324 against and 11 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking for a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the agreement. A second resolution also demanding a legal assessment was rejected with 225 votes for, 402 against and 13 abstentions.

The legal basis of the EU-Mercosur partnership agreement (EMPA) and the interim trade agreement (iTA) will now be reviewed by the ECJ. The European Parliament will continue its examination of the texts, while awaiting the opinion of the EU Court. Only then, the European Parliament will be able to vote to grant consent (or not) to the agreement.

The European Union and Mercosur signed on January 17 an EMPA and an iTA, representing a historic milestone between the two regions, and an ambitious platform for strengthening their economic, diplomatic and geopolitical relations, the European Commission (EC) said.

As The Sofia Globe reported at the time, the EMPA will be subject to ratification by all EU member states, following their national procedures.

At the same time, the ITA will follow EU-only ratification process as it falls under EU exclusive competences. This will require the consent of the European Parliament and the adoption of a decision on the conclusion by the Council of the EU after which it will enter into force.

As Deutsche Welle reported, farmers in the EU have been protesting amid fears that the planned free trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc could flood European markets with cheaper imports.

Protests have included a two-day blockade, that started on January 20, by farmers outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

(Photo, from the January 17 signing: EC Audiovisual Service)