Inter-Parlamentary Forum of the Americas Forum Interparlamentaire des Amériques Foro Interparlamentario de las Américas Fórum Interparlamentar das Américas

Working Group 2 - Creating Prosperity

1. Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Support the creation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas that effectively contributes to raising standards of living of our people, improve equality of opportunities, better the distribution of wealth and democracy.

2. Role of Parliamentarians

Believing that without real and effective participation and support from Parliaments economic integration initiatives cannot fulfill the shared aspiration of economic progress and social development.

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that as representatives of people in the Americas, national legislatures play a key, effective and active role in the negotiations and signature of international trade agreements to enhance understanding and cooperation among our countries.

3. Non-tariff Barriers and agricultural subsidies

Convinced that the FTAA should contribute to the expansion of world trade without raising additional barriers to other countries and avoid the adoption of policies that adversely affect trade in the hemisphere.

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that the FTAA eliminate non-tariff barriers, as well as other measures of equivalent effects which constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between countries or a disguised restriction to international trade, in order to prevent protectionist practices and facilitate trade in the hemisphere;

Recommend the elimination of export subsidies and other trade distorting practices that affect agricultural products and derived products.

4. Quality of Life

Certain that the integration of the Americas should not be limited to exclusively commercial aspects but should be regarded as part of a collective effort to improve and strengthen democracy, to reduce poverty and discrimination in the hemisphere and to promote sustainable development;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that the FTAA be based on a convergence of political, economic and social values and complemented with actions to improve the quality of life of our peoples. This could be achieved through a social charter or parallel labor and environment agreement that enhance social development.

5. Transparency

Noting that transparency in the FTAA negotiations constitutes a crucial element to broaden public understanding and support for the FTAA.

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that to take into account the interest and concerns of different sectors of society FTAA negotiations be conducted in a transparent manner to ensure mutual advantage and increased benefits to all participants of the FTAA, and

Call on our governments to consider making available to Parliamentarians the draft text of the FTAA agreement.

6. Differences in the level of development

Aware of the differences in the level of development and size of the economies in the Hemisphere and the challenges that a process like the FTAA represents to all participating countries;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that special attention be given to the needs, economic conditions and opportunities of smaller economies, to ensure their full participation in the construction and benefits of the FTAA process, and to increase their level of development.

7. Dispute Settlement

Recognizing the value of an agreement with clear, stable, transparent and binding rules, including negotiated mechanisms for dispute settlement;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that to increase and broaden the benefits of the FTAA a fair, transparent and effective mechanism for dispute settlement be established to settle disputes among FTAA countries.

8. WTO and Regional Agreements

Cognizant of the important role of bilateral and sub-regional agreements in the integration process of the hemisphere and of our commitment to the global, rules based trading system under the WTO;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend that the FTAA coexist with bilateral and sub-regional agreements and be consistent with the rules and disciplines of the WTO.

9. Cultural Diversity

Realizing the growing importance of cultural diversity and identity in an increasingly globalized world and that cultural diversity is integral to social cohesion, human development, peaceful coexistence, democratic participation, citizen engagement, and the prosperity of societies;

Aware that the preservation of cultural heritage and its creative use in social and economic development is an important component of sustainable development and is essential in building participation, prosperity and security for the people of the Americas:

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend to protect and promote the unique role that cultural goods and services play in the identity and diversity of society and the lives of individuals;

Call on the communities of the Americas to work together to encourage national and international dialogue toward action in support of culture as a fundamental element of human life in the 21st century.

10. Debt Reduction

Whereas debt reduction of unsustainable debt levels is essential for poor countries to be able to share in the promise of increased prosperity that is the raison d’être of free-trade agreements;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend to any governments, that in case of major disaster, a special fund should be erected to help in the reconstruction of essential services to the population affected and a temporary relief of debt repayment should be awarded;

Recommend that the developed countries of the Western Hemisphere continue to pursue initiatives targeted at the developing countries in the Hemisphere as a means of allowing all countries to fully share in the benefits of a Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Consider necessary to seek alternative ways of negotiating debt reduction for developing countries through multiple mechanisms, such as exchange of debt for natural resources or social development, in order to support better financial conditions and protection of the environment.

11. Financing Development

Recognizing the importance of identifying additional sources of financing and support for development, based on accessible conditions to countries, and to promote the development of disadvantaged regions and social groups in order to bridge the gap between rich and poor regions;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend the creation of a compensation fund or other mechanism that promotes direct investment and makes the integration process viable.

Acknowledging that migration of workers is a problem that may arise due to the lack of opportunities in their country of origin;

We Parliamentarians of the Americas,

Recommend immigration policies from developed countries that fully respect human rights allowing flexible transit of people.