site.btaBroader Access to Third Country Markets Should Remain Key Priority of EU Trade Policy

Bulgaria's Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nikolay Pavlov said that expanding access to third country markets should remain a key priority of EU trade policy. Speaking at a regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in its trade configuration in Brussels on Thursday, Pavlov said this goal can be achieved not only through free trade agreements, but through other forms of trade and economic partnership, his Ministry reported on Friday.

Pavlov stressed that it was of particular importance for the EU to continue its efforts to finalize the negotiations with Australia, Mexico and MERCOSUR, as well as those with the ASEAN countries. In his words, in trade negotiations the EU should take an individual approach tailored to the level of economic development of each partner country. "Such an approach can also be applied in the current negotiations with India and Indonesia, where a trade agreement is needed to ensure effective access to the market for goods and raw materials critical to the EU's green and digital transition," said Pavlov.

Regarding Mercosur, Bulgaria would support a balanced agreement that protects the interests of EU businesses, especially farmers. "As to cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Bulgaria encourages an approach of parallel regional and bilateral negotiations, especially in the case of the UAE," the Deputy Minister said.

It was stressed at the Council meeting that strengthening and developing EU-US trade relations is essential. Pavlov said cooperation with the US opens up significant opportunities. In his words, US trade policy has changed significantly in the last decade, moving from free trade to protectionism, and this trend is expected to intensify and deepen. "The EU should take a proactive approach by proposing a pragmatic and positive agenda for future cooperation with the US," Pavlov said.

He stressed that the EU should continue to press for the effective use and strengthening of the trade component of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, as well as for the resumption of negotiations on a Global Agreement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.