Reciprocity in public procurement markets. The EU Parliament votes in favour
The European Parliament gave the green light to the International Procurement Instrument with 554 in favour, 7 votes against and 14 abstentions. The EU will use the instrument as leverage in negotiations with third countries to open their domestic markets and end discrimination against EU companies.
Parliament's plenary took the position and if it is followed by a similar decision by Member States, non-EU companies whose governments do not offer similar access to public tenders to EU companies seeking business will have limited access to the EU public procurement market.
MEPs made this decision by adopting the International Procurement Instrument (IPI) proposed by the European Commission in 2012. Since there was no agreement among ministers in the EU Council, commissioners proposed an updated draft in 2016 with a more proportionate and targeted approach. The process stalled for many years because many Member States were unconvinced of the benefits of the instrument, but it has been revitalized in part by the increased awareness among state