This Working Group discusses issues of international economic relations which are relevant to European business. Its work is based on the premise that open international flows of trade, investment and expertise are a critical component of European competitiveness in a globalising world.

Current work focuses on the following areas:

1. International trade negotiations in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA)

The Working Group discusses non-sectoral trade issues, focusing on support for the WTO negotiations in the framework of the Doha Development Agenda.

In a number of statements and publications, often in cooperation with other business organisations from around the world, ERT called for timely progress in the DDA negotiations. All ERT contributions to the debate are available in the list of publications below.

2. EU-US relations

ERT attaches great importance to the EU-US business dialogue as a key part of the wider fabric of transatlantic relations. A number of messages issued jointly with the Business Roundtable underlined the importance of a strong EU-US relationship for business on both sides of the Atlantic, and the essential role played by both partners in the WTO negotiations. ERT also supports the activities of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) and the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN).

3. EU-Russia relations

EU-Russia relations have grown significantly in their importance for European business over the last few years. However, European companies often observe a discrepancy between their overall business experience in Russia – which is generally positive and successful – and tensions in the overall political relationship between the EU and Russia. ERT supports a constructive EU-Russia relationship and works towards a stronger economic relationship within the context of the EU-Russia Common Economic Space. ERT supports efforts to further strengthen the formal ties between the EU and Russia, insofar as this will contribute to closer economic and business relations.

ERT supports the EU-Russia Industrialists’ Round Table (IRT), an independent dialogue forum bringing together representatives from EU and Russian companies.

4. EU Enlargement

The Working Group monitors developments in the EU’s approach towards Enlargement, maintaining its strong support for the principle of Enlargement as long as acceding countries fulfil all the appropriate criteria as specified by the EU and addressed in accession negotiations, in particular the full implementation of the acquis communautaire.

5. European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

The Working Group monitors the evolution of the ENP, and supports efforts to strengthen the EU’s economic ties with its neighbouring countries. In its position paper on the European Neighbourhood Policy (published in May 2004 by the ERT Enlargement & Neighbourhood Policy Working Group), ERT advocates the neighbouring countries’ eventual and conditional integration into the European Single Market.

6. EU-China relations

The Working Group monitors developments in the EU-China economic relationship.