New EC trade strategy reinforces corporate bias
The Seattle to Brussels (S2B) network believes the new European Commission (EC) trade strategy “Trade for All” is a continuation of the EC's existing trade strategy: it remains obsessed by serving EU corporate interests. Trade for All, launched yesterday (Wednesday),…
To change a BIT is not enough
On the need to create sound policy frameworks for investment. By Burghard Ilge, Both Ends, September 2015 The international legal system that governs international investment flows is shaped by a network of about 3000 Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and other…
Why CEE governments should reject investment arbitration in TTIP
Central and Eastern European countries at the crossroads Central and Eastern European countries find themselves at a crossroad regarding their investment policies with the US. One of these road will lead to a set of rules cast in iron that…
S2B welcomes infringement proceedings against intra-EU BITS
The Seattle to Brussels network welcomes the European Commission's decision to initiate infringement proceedings against five Member States, requesting them to terminate their intra-EU bilateral investment treaties. The Commission requested Austria, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden to bring the…
An open letter to the governments of EU-CELAC
As Heads of State and Government from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (In Spanish CELAC) and the European Union (EU) start a two days Summit today in Brussels, social movements from both sides of the Atlantic take the…
Lawyers subverting the public interest
Lobby group EFILA's stake in investment arbitration In response to growing public criticism of international investment law, a new lobby group has emerged, EFILA, seeking to influence European officials. This briefing exposes how EFILA represents an attempt by the arbitration…
Commission consultation on investor rights in TTIP makes a mockery of democracy
Campaigners from the Seattle to Brussels Network (S2B) have criticised the European Commission’s consultation on investor rights in the proposed EU-US trade deal (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP) as a mockery of democracy aimed at selling its pro-industry agenda,…
1 Million Signatures against TTIP and CETA
JUNCKER RECEIVES BIRTHDAY SURPRISE: ONE MILLION SIGNATURES OPPOSING TTIP AND CETA Press release, 09/12/2014 Self-organised European Citizens’ Initiative asks Commission to blow out the candles on trade deals The Stop TTIP coalition, consisting of more than 320 civil society organisations…
EU Investment Policy: Looking behind closed doors
Late March 2014 the Directorate-General for Trade in the European Commission (DG Trade) launched a public consultation on the inclusion of a controversial investment protection chapter and investor-to-state dispute (ISDS) settlement process in the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership…
The case of Newmont Mining vs Indonesia
Netherlands – Indonesia BIT rolls back implementation of new Indonesian mining law The case of Newmont Mining vs Indonesia is a powerful example of how investment agreements are used by companies to get exemptions from government regulations and legislation, undermining…
New leak:
EU presses US to expand fracking
According to a new secret negotiation text obtained by the Huffington Post, the European Union is using TTIP to press the Obama administration to expand fracking, offshore oil drilling and natural gas exploration. See the full article: , the and…