Bilateral Investment Treaties: Public interest, social and environmental policies under threat
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) erode the ability of governments to act in the best interests of their citizens by allowing foreign investors to sue sovereign states when governments' social, environmental and economic regulations have affected their profits. TNI, as part of the Seattle to Brussels network, is campaigning for a Just EU Investment policy that puts corporate accountability and human rights above corporate profits!
Since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009, the competence to negotiate international investment agreements has shifted from individual member states to the European Union (EU). The Lisbon treaty provided an ideal opportunity for the EU to develop a new investment policy that changes the balance back in favour of citizens and the environment. Instead, the EU decided to copy the bad practices of its member states, which focus only on the protection of investors abroad without any consideration of the social and environmental responsibilities of European corporations.
European Parliament resolution on international investment not strong enough to end threat to democratic governance and public interests
Statement by the Seattle to Brussels network about the resolution of the European Parliament on international investment, April 2011
Civil society statement calling for "Just EU Investment Policy now!"
Available in English - Italian - French - Spanish - Dutch - German. Signed by 114 EU civil society organisations, 3 international networks and 65 non-EU organisations. April 2011
EU Investment Briefing: Change EU investment policy - now is the time!
January 2011
EU Investment Agreements in the Lisbon Treaty Era: A Reader
July 2010
Recent publications from Trade & Investment
The right to say noAs European Union (EU) member states consider the implications of environmentally risky shale gas development (fracking), negotiations are underway for a controversial EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) which would grant investors the right to challenge governments’ decision to ban and regulate fracking. |
The EU trade and Investment Agenda: quashing the aspirations of the Arab Spring?The EU's launch of negotiations for Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTAs) with four Arab countries in transition – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia - looks set to entrench an economic model that was one of the root causes of the Arab Spring. |
Balancing Trade and AidBalancing Trade and Aid With the arrival of the Rutte II cabinet, a wish of the members of the Fair, Green and Global Alliance (FGG) has come true; trade and global development are under the supervision of the same minister. |
Intra-EU Bilateral Investment TreatiesCorporations in Western Europe are suing Central and Eastern European countries at international arbitration tribunals through a vast web of intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). Yet while the European Commission has questioned the validity of these BITs, Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, oppose their termination. |
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