Sefcovic does not want treaties against EU interests
Published: Monday, Nov 4th 2024, 17:00
Volver a Live Feed
With him in office, the European Commission will not sign a treaty against the interests of the EU. This was stated by the designated Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on Monday during his hearing in the European Parliament in Brussels. The Slovakian is to remain Switzerland's point of contact.
His goals are to deepen relations with partners and open up new markets for the EU. Among other things, he will focus on free trade agreements. In doing so, he wants to rely on the trade rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The most important trading partner for the EU is the USA. Together they account for 29 percent of global trade, as Sefcovic said. It does not matter who wins the upcoming elections in the USA, "we must work together and not against each other", said Sefcovic.
He wants to work towards better trade relations with China. These must be on an equal footing. He would never sign a deal against the EU's interests. This was demonstrated by the agreement with the UK.
Sefcovic seeks fourth mandate
Sefcovic has been a Commissioner of the European Union since 2009 and is seeking a fourth mandate. Most recently, he was responsible for relations with Switzerland, among other things. As Trade Commissioner, he will continue to hold this dossier.
On Monday afternoon, the Slovakian was the first designated member of Ursula von der Leyen's new Commission to have to defend his positions before a committee of the European Parliament. This week and next week, the 25 other commissioners-designate will go through the hearing process.
Parliament will have to approve the Commission as a whole. The new body is due to start the new legislature on December 1.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic