At the initiative of its chairman, Simon Defat, the consultative members' assembly met at the European Parliament for an in-depth exchange with Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament and former Prime Minister, followed by a discussion with Benoît Cassart, MEP.
Here are the main points of this meeting.
Sophie Wilmès: a sovereign and democratic Europe
Sophie Wilmès presented her responsibilities within the European Parliament, both institutionally and politically. As a member of the LIBE committee, she stressed the fundamental importance of defending the rule of law, an essential pillar of liberal democracy and a bulwark against authoritarian drift. She also chairs a working group monitoring respect for the rule of law within the Union.
Discussions also covered current affairs, particularly the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role vis-à-vis the United States, with Sophie Wilmès serving as Vice-President of the EU-US delegation. She stressed the need for the European Union to strengthen its strategic autonomy, particularly in the areas of economy, security and energy, without permanently burying our relations with the United States. Her involvement as a member of the ITRE committee, notably regarding the nuclear power of tomorrow, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), is part of this drive for independence, to guarantee decarbonised, available and competitive energy.
Finally, members addressed major humanitarian issues, including the situation of deported Ukrainian children, recalling that European political action must remain guided by strong human values, which are Europe's hallmark.
Benoît Cassart: international trade and agriculture
Assembly members then spoke with Benoît Cassart, MR MEP and farmer, about international trade agreements and their impact.
Regarding the free trade agreement with India, Benoît Cassart said he fully supports it, believing it to be a major strategic partnership for the European Union. He stressed that the ongoing negotiations provide clear protection for European agriculture, ensuring compliance with standards and avoiding unfair competition for producers, making it a much more balanced agreement.
Mercosur agreement: Benoît Cassart pointed out that not all free trade agreements are equal. Unlike CETA, Mercosur raises serious concerns regarding unfair competition, environmental and health standards, deforestation and climate impact. These concerns are also shared by other liberals at various levels of government. Economic gains for the European Union would be very limited (0.05% of European GDP by 2040), while the consequences for European agriculture would be significant. He also warned of the risk of new strategic dependency and political rejection in rural areas.
Conclusion
This meeting fully illustrated the mission of the consultative members' assembly, also known as the members' parliament: to provide a space for constructive dialogue between elected representatives and members, enabling a direct and in-depth exchange on major political, economic and strategic issues.