http://www.euronews.com/ 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?

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