Which countries should Europe be trading with? Free trade agreements create jobs and offer new markets, but is it always positive? Your questions are answered today by Jürgen Klute, a member of parliament in Brussels, and a Member of the Economic and Monetary Committee.

The first question came from Laurent from Belgium:

“My question is, you negotiate with countries like Colombia and Honduras. How do you justify these free trade agreements with countries that don’t always respect human rights? Don’t you think these agreements worsen the situation?”

Jürgen Klute: “Essentially, we are not against trade but it depends on the circumstances. This question contains an important criticism, respecting human rights. There is a human rights clause in the agreements, but the problem for me – and the parliament – is how these clauses are carried out and observed? At the moment, the clauses are better and stricter. But in the past the Commission never wanted to risk breaking trade relations.”

Alex Taylor: Who’s judging it? Who says, ‘this one respects human rights and that one doesn’t?‘”

Jürgen Klute: “That’s a big question. We suggest that civil society organisations have to be involved; unions, human rights groups and so on. But ultimately they should report their findings to the Commission and the Commission has to verify and react. But that’s exactly what it hasn’t done until now. The Commission, for a long time had the chance, to halt trade relations – until certain questions were answered. For example with Colombia. In recent years no country in the world has as seen as many trade unionists being killed as in Colombia.”

Alex Taylor: “Ok, a second question, here on i talk.”

“Hello, I’m Lirian Martinez. I’m from Colombia but live in Brussels. I want to know, how the free trade agreement can help me in the working world? My family lives in Colombia and I’m here. So will I have more employment opportunities, and will my family get better employment opportunities over there?”

Alex Taylor: “Mr. Klute, free trade agreements create jobs. That’s an important fact to remember, isnt it? That is always a good argument for them.”

Jürgen Klute: “It seems to be the case, that jobs are being created. But the question is, who gets them? These agreements are essentially used by transnational corporate groups, that means European transnational companies get the chance to sell more products to countries with which agreements have been made.”

Alex Taylor: “Yes, but the people in these countries get jobs, they have access to the big markets”.

Jürgen Klute: “That is exactly the critical point. People in Colombia can work in these branches, they can get a job for sure. But on the other hand it could harm local businesses. As you can see one of these agreements is related to the trade of milk. So there is a risk that a lot of jobs in agriculture will be destroyed by these agreements. That’s what concerns us.”

Alex Taylor: The next question to Mr. Klute, here in Brussels.

“Hello, my name is German, I’m from Argentina. And I want to ask you what do you think about the nationalisation of Argentina’s biggest oil company? Do you think the EU can apply some restrictions against Argentina? And will this affect Europe in a time of crisis?”

Alex Taylor: “Of course the question is about Repsol. I believe Spain owns 57 Percent.”

Jürgen Klute: “It is important to know that this company was originally state owned and only privatised 10 years ago.”

Alex Taylor: “Nevertheless the nationalisation was legal.”

Jürgen Klute: “That is right. It was absolutely legal because there was a legal basis for it in Argentina, to retake control of the company.”

Alex Taylor: “Which legal basis?”

Jürgen Klute: Well, there is a certain basis in Argentine law. As far as I know. – I’m not an expert to be honest. – But I’ve heard, there is a legal basis and the aim is to guarantee the poorest have access to electricity.”

Alex Taylor: Do you understand that if every country is doing this, it’ll be total chaos?

Jürgen Klute: It has to be regulated, but for me the question is whether or not the private sector can ensure the energy supply in the future, in times of shrinking resources. Should we not find another way of democratic and social control. That is our position and we don’t think the EU should just respond with sanctions. It is a difficult situation for sure. But if we compare it to Colombia, where it’s been proven that Unionists have been killed, but the EU didn’t respond. There was not even a reaction in the case of the “coup d´etat” in Honduras. So do we say in the case of Argentina that it is politically justified and understandable, and there is an immediate reaction because EU interests could be negatively affected?

Alex Taylor: Definitely a complicated situation. One more question for Mr. Klute.

“My name is Sebastian Saragossa, I was born in Catalonia and I live in Brussels. Europe needs a lot of energy for its economy. At the same time there is a growing need for “alternative energy”, the so- called “clean energy”, which often comes from South American agriculture. To get this energy, a lot of the natural environment has to be destroyed. My question is, what do you plan to do, to protect this environment?”

Alex Taylor: “One more complicated question. A short answer please.”

Jürgen Klute: “Bio-fuel is a part of the trade agreements and it is another thing we are concerned about. A short time ago, the EU published a study calling into question whether bio-fuels are really all that useful and if they are Carbon neutral or not. Regardless of that, it takes a lot of land, which could be used to produce food. Certainly action has to be taken, . Bio-fuel is one option but in principle I believe, to answer the question of mobility, we have to look else-where. I don’t believe bio-fuel is not a long term option.”

Alex Taylor: “But Mr. Klute, we are in a financial crisis. At the moment, do we have the possibility to have scruples? That’s the question”

Jürgen Klute: Well, it’s a question of principal. What is more important; human rights or the economy? Eventually the economy has to cut down its needs. Nevertheless, here in Europe, we live in the richest regions of the world, and I believe if we use them wisely we still have enough resources to respect human rights – even in times of crisis.”

Alex Taylor: “A last question here on i talk.”

“My name is Carmen Garcia, I am Latin American. My question is, If the agreement with Colombia was made to the benefit the people, why is it so complicated to put it into effect?”

Jürgen Klute: “That is controversial. The Colombian and the European economies have different interests. The unions of course have even more different interests, and then, there are a lot of human rights groups.”

Alex Taylor: “It’s already taken more than two years hasn’t it?”

Jürgen Klute: “Yes, of course, but it is a complicated subject and to get all these interests under a hat is not so easy. And if it finally is something good, only the future knows.”

Alex Taylor: “I have a very personal question for you. You still work as a pastor – and you are a politician. Where it is easier to do Gods work?”

Jürgen Klute: “In the church it is easier, because you only have to speak. In politics, it is more important, because you have to act and you have to show, what is a good action and what is good policy, how you can respect the human rights.”

Alex Taylor: “Thank you very much, Mr Klute. That’s all for today. You can find our upcoming topics on the euronews website.”

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