The Financial Times reports: “Paris is threatening to block EU-US trade talks that Britain wants to launch at this month’s G8 summit in Northern Ireland if French demands to exclude cultural industries such as music and film are not met.” It is important to mention that the MEPs have recently voted on a non-binding resolution endorsing the launch of negotiations, but they also voted for cultural and audiovisual services to be excluded from the negotiating mandate. The European Parliament supports, therefore, the French, as well as other member states’ demands to exclude cultural sector from the FTA. It should be noted that the Council must obtain the consent of the European Parliament before adopting a decision concluding EU trade agreements. Please read my post on this issue.
