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EU Member States' Reject Solar Trade Duties

More than half the Member States of the EU voted against extending the measures and instead for the first time in history the proposal of the Commission is subject to an appeal from the Member States. This process, whilst never used before, is likely to put increased pressure on DG Trade to change their position.

Hope that the Commission will review their proposal

Oliver Schaefer, President of SolarPower Europe stated 'We have been campaigning for the end of these trade measures for the last 18 months, and are pleased that the Member States have sent a strong rebuke to DG Trade for not taking account of the interests of the European solar industry. We hope that the Commission will now review their proposal and through the appeal process substantially revise their approach.'

DG Trade has to considerate solar jobs

James Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe, commented 'We must thank all the European solar associations, who took part in achieving this historic result. This decision of the Member States reminds DG Trade that they must be more considerate of the solar jobs and investments that they have threatened across the EU with a proposal to extend these measures.'

Solarpower Europe cooperates with Member States

Kristina Thoring, Political Communications Advisor added 'We will now work with the Member States to find a suitable compromise to remove the measures as soon as possible, so that we can have a dynamic and growing solar sector in Europe once again.'

The European Commission must now consider what changes they need to make to their proposal before facing another vote by the Member States in a couple of weeks. (HCN)

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