106. Remains committed to a multilateral approach to international trade and calls on the Commission to support current WTO initiatives; urges the facilitation of the accession of China to the Agreement on Government Procurement; recognises the need for continuing progress in reaching bilateral free trade agreements with significant partners, and in particular the USA; asks the Commission, therefore, to concentrate human resources and political efforts on the ongoing trade negotiations with third countries and, in particular, with strategic partners, with a view to making substantial progress towards a balanced final agreement; asks ...[+++]the Commission fully to involve Parliament in this process, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;

37. Notes that, with regard to external policy, Parliament supports the Commission in its goal to promote – inter alia – sustainable development, free and fair trade, international labour standards and decent work, for example by negotiating EPAs, which combine European and ACP interests; points out that trade policy must promote development, permit better regional cooperation, encourage investment and improve economic governance, reminding all stakeholders that other regions of the globe have shown how trade can contribute to welfare; asks the Commission for an integrated approach on trade, foreign, development, social, agricultural a ...[+++]nd environmental policies; reiterates its earlier call on the Commission to ensure coordinated policies in support of Fair Trade;

39. Notes that, with regard to external policy, Parliament supports the Commission in its goal to promote – inter alia – sustainable development, free and fair trade, international labour standards and decent work, for example by negotiating EPAs, which combine European and ACP interests; points out that trade policy must promote development, permit better regional cooperation, encourage investment and improve economic governance, reminding all stakeholders that other regions of the globe have shown how trade can contribute to welfare; asks the Commission for an integrated approach on trade, foreign, development, social, agricultural a ...[+++]nd environmental policies; reiterates its earlier call on the Commission to ensure coordinated policies in support of Fair Trade;

37. Notes that, with regard to external policy, Parliament supports the Commission in its goal to promote – inter alia – sustainable development, free and fair trade, international labour standards and decent work, for example by negotiating EPAs, which combine European and ACP interests; points out that trade policy must promote development, permit better regional cooperation, encourage investment and improve economic governance, reminding all stakeholders that other regions of the globe have shown how trade can contribute to welfare; asks the Commission for an integrated approach on trade, foreign, development, social, agricultural a ...[+++]nd environmental policies; reiterates its earlier call on the Commission to ensure coordinated policies in support of Fair Trade;

It also calls for mainstreaming initiatives — i.e. initiatives to enable a cross-sectoral approach between youth policies and other relevant policy areas.

It is about taking an open and flexible approach in setting our rules and seeking to prevent future trade friction – and so support European business – where possible.