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Two working groups for the price of one negotiation (maj2)

July 4, 2013August 24, 2016 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(BRUSSELS2 to Vilnius) Negotiations for the free trade agreement with the United States will start on July 8 in Washington. There will therefore be no suspension as requested by President Hollande, who is rather isolated on this file.

Two working groups

But at the same time - and according to a "parallel process" - as confirmed by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite (*) in Vilnius to the press (including B2), two working groups will begin their work on Thursday. One on the protection of private data, the other on intelligence. The decision was endorsed by Coreper after a silence procedure, she explained during her press conference held the following day (Friday 5 July). The European Commission and the EEAS will participate in the work on the issue of privacy, added Commission President José-Manuel Barroso. (updated 5/7/2013 16pm) In fact, there will be only one working group, chaired by the European Commission and the EU Presidency (Lithuania). But "top secret" intelligence issues will be the subject of an aside where only authorized experts will be present.

A letter from the Attorney General to the European Union

US Attorney General Eric Holder has written to European Commission President JM Barroso and C. Ashton regarding the Prism investigation. The attorney promised "clarifications". But apparently no apologies. " The important thing is not to have excuses. But cooperation and results pleaded D. Grybauskaite who did not give details on the content of the letter despite several questions from my colleagues. THE " better " is having " exchanges of information, to be open to cooperation, to explanations. It is important for the future. This is important for our two regions - European Union and USA -; and for the fight against terrorism”. The composition of these working groups is not yet known.

Comment: Clemenceau said: "If you want to enterbe a proproblem, appoint a clerksion"... No comment! 🙂

(*) Lithuania has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union since 1 July.

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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