France: European Parliament approves TTIP resolution

The European Parliament approved a resolution on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a trade pact between the EU and the USA, in Strasbourg, Wednesday, which suggests introducing an alternative dispute resolution system to the controversial Investor-state dispute settlement via private courts (ISDS). The resolution was approved by a majority of the parliament with 436 'yes' votes against 241 'no' votes, whilst 32 MEPs abstained. Critics fear the resolution is not far reaching enough to avoid ISDS through the backdoor. The resolution, brought forward by European Parliament President Martin Schulz, seeks to replace ISDS with public trials held by publicly elected, independent judges with appeal proceedings. The resolution is not legally binding. However, through the decision the EU's parliamentary body hopes to influence the TTIP negotiations between European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom and the USA.