WTO Talks: Protectionism will not only harm us but also those we seek to hel says ECR Group

Strasbourg, 16th December 2009

Strasbourg, 16th December 2009 -- MEPs in Strasbourg quizzed the European Commission on the ongoing WTO talks and the Doha Round. While the communists and socialists called for the creation of a new world order with mass centralisation, the right of the house agreed on a common statement drafted by ECR Vice-Chairman Jan Zahradil.

Conservative Trade spokesman in the European Parliament Robert Sturdy said that the centre right groups can finally reflect their majority in the European Parliament thanks to the ECR Group.

In a statement Mr Zahradil said,

"Unfortunately cyclical crises are part and parcel are part of the market economy. They should not however be used as an excuse to impose further regulation and protectionist policies because the regulation will stay in place once the crisis is over. Protectionism will not only harm us in Europe but will also hurt those countries we seek to help."

Mr Sturdy said,

"The old 'big' coalitions in the European Parliament are on the way out. This joint statement drafted by the ECR group shows that there is an alternative from having to compromise core free market principles in order to placate the left. The centre right groups can finally reflect their majority in the European Parliament thanks to the ECR Group."

ECR Press Office - Alex Benjamin +32 (0)476 056 450