The public debate on the TTIP agreement was held in the hall of the National Council. It was held on the initiative of the Umanotera NGO and the European Greens MEP Igor Šoltes.

"We have to consider who stands to benefit from this agreement," said Mr. Šoltes. He reminded that the U.S. has half less consumers than the EU and considerably lower standards in many areas.

MEP Šoltes also warned of the so-called ISDS Investor-state dispute settlement instrument, which is included in the trade agreement negotiations. The instrument would allow corporations to file charges against states at international courts if a state adopts legislation capping a corporation's profit. Mr. Šoltes says that corporations would be in a position to put pressure on states to drop certain regulations. There is also a fear that corporations would then start writing the laws themselves.

The only person at the debate who didn't have a totally negative view of the free-trade agreement was the representative of the Chamber of the electro industry within the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Janez Renko. He pointed out that the problem Slovenian companies face in order to enter the U.S. market is the different regulations and standards between the U.S. and the EU. Therefore, Mr. Renko said it would be good for industry and the economy for the deal to go ahead.

Gregor Cerar, MMC;
translated by K. J.