Public services not covered by TiSA
Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) is an international agreement on free trade in services such as banking, health care and transport. Its signatories currently include the European Union and the United States.
Ögmundur Jónasson, MP for the Left-Green Movement (‘Vinstrihreyfingin – Grænt framboð’), launched a debate on Iceland’s possible accession to TiSA in the Icelandic Parliament (‘Alþingi’) today. Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, indicated that Icelandic public authorities and basic public services would not fall under TiSA if Iceland were to sign up.
Jónasson pointed out the peculiar nature of the matter: any commitments entered into under TiSA would be irreversible, while negotiation discussions are shrouded in secrecy. He expressed concern that any possible treaty might adversely affect welfare services in Iceland and asked why the intention was to present Alþingi with a final-version signed agreement rather than before the document is ratified.
Sveinsson replied that Iceland’s commercial interests were very much at stake. He denied that negotiations were being conducted in secret. Discussions have apparently been open and transparent, with ministries, public bodies, trade unions and interested parties all having been consulted. Everybody was free to submit their comments.
Since TiSA will not entail any legislative amendments, it does not need to be voted on by Alþingi. It has nevertheless been decided to consult Alþingi in line with previous practice on free-trade agreements, Sveinsson explained. A parliamentary resolution to approve the final treaty text will be put to Alþingi and the appropriate juncture.
