The EU cannot enter trade accords with third parties without input from the member states or – in Belgium’s case – the regions, says the European Court of Justice

Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois has welcomed a ruling by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg that has reinforced the right of member states – and in Belgium’s case the rights of regions – to have a say in international trade accords. The EU alone, the Court ruled, does not have the right to form trade agreements.

The case before the court involved an accord between the EU and Singapore but was a reminder of the case last year when a trade agreement between the EU and Canada was threatened by the opposition of the Walloon region. The question then arose: To what extent do member states – or the regions of federated member states – have a say in decisions taken by the EU?

“A powerful EU means a union that focuses on its core tasks and generates added value, and one of those core tasks is international trade policy,” said Bourgeois (pictured). However, before launching into talks on trade with third parties, the EU must now obtain a mandate from member states – and in Belgium’s case from the regions.

“That mandate is the basis for discussions, and it is crucial that the voices of states and regions is heard,” said Bourgeois. Flanders knows what is in its own best interests and has never made a secret of its own goals. “The Flanders we live in is one of international trade: One in six jobs depends on it.”

Photo courtesy N-VA