to seek improved access to foreign markets and a reduction in anti-competitive regulatory practices, most importantly those which are harmful to the environment and reduce the efficiency of transport services and those restrictions imposed by non-EU countries regarding foreign ownership, while legally securing public authorities’ right to regulate over transport and guarantee public transportation; to address restrictions in the cabotage sector and to avoid carriers returning empty from their host countries, in particular in the annexes on maritime and air transport;

D. whereas any trade agreement must be a market opener for our companies abroad and a safety net for our citizens at home; whereas TiSA should increase access to foreign markets, promote best practices and shape globalisation with a view to ensuring that it reflects EU values, principles and interests and that it helps EU companies thrive in the era of global value chains; whereas consumer rights as well as social and environmental standards are not trade barriers but non-negotiable building blocks of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; whereas the EU’s trade policy must uphold the objectives of econo ...[+++]mic, social and territorial cohesion as set out in Article 174 of the TFEU; whereas the provision of services in the EU is based on the principles of universal access, quality, safety, affordability and equal treatment to be guaranteed at all times in all cities and regions; whereas the EU should promote gender equality at international level;

6. Considers it regrettable that, so far, the EU has kept its government procurement markets largely open to international competition, while EU companies still face substantial barriers abroad; calls on the Commission to guarantee that EU trade agreements contain instruments for our companies, especially SMEs, to compete abroad on equal terms with foreign national companies; demands as well clear regulation of, and easy access to information concerning, tenders and awarding criteria, and the lifting of discriminatory and unjustified trade barriers in the field of government procurement, services or investment (such as fiscal discrimination, regulatory barriers to the establishment of branches or subsidiaries, and restrictions on access t ...[+++]o financing); calls on our partner countries to apply principles of open government in order to guarantee transparency and avoid conflicts of interest, and to use PPPs practice with caution, taking into account not only cost-benefit analyses and the viability of the projects, but also the financial and technical capacity of public authorities to supervise services or infrastructure delivery in line with general public interest;

6. Considers it regrettable that, so far, the EU has kept its government procurement markets largely open to international competition, while EU companies still face substantial barriers abroad; calls on the Commission to guarantee that EU trade agreements contain instruments for our companies, especially SMEs, to compete abroad on equal terms with foreign national companies; demands as well clear regulation of, and easy access to information concerning, tenders and awarding criteria, and the lifting of discriminatory and unjustified trade barriers in the field of government procurement, services or investment (such as fiscal discrimination, regulatory barriers to the establishment of branches or subsidiaries, and restrictions on access t ...[+++]o financing); calls on our partner countries to apply principles of open government in order to guarantee transparency and avoid conflicts of interest, and to use PPPs practice with caution, taking into account not only cost-benefit analyses and the viability of the projects, but also the financial and technical capacity of public authorities to supervise services or infrastructure delivery in line with general public interest;

A wider opening of foreign markets, especially the US, to European defence products is a major objective as it is essential for the EU defence industries to maintain and further develop their design expertise and competence in the most advanced technologies.

However, the presence of channels especially targeting foreign markets is important only in a few Member States, while at EU level it is more common for the public to view foreign channels that are not meant for its national market.