The EA member and Member of the Flemish Parliament, Karl Vanlouwe, while addressing commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom during the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions underlined the potential of the TTIP for the European economy and for SMEs, although concerns remained over transparency, ISDS clause and stakeholders involvement.
"Despite expressing concerns about transparency in the negotiations, the European Alliance and the N-VA, believe an ambitious TTIP could bring lower prices thus benefitting consumers and European companies, especially SMEs.", said Karl Vanlouwe.

However the N-VA member called for the revision of the ISDS mechanism and for the culture and audiovisual sector to be excluded from the agreement. "We need to ensure that ISDS does not cause problems and that our Parliaments retain their sovereignty. We cannot approach TTIP purely from an economic angle. Our Group, the European Alliance, and our party, the N-VA, believe cultural exception in trade agreement is essential. If we do not want our own cultures to be swept away by foreign productions, we must ensure that the cultural and audiovisual products and services are specifically excluded under TTIP".