AFP, Rome :
Italy has written to its EU partners calling for the details of talks on a vast trade deal with the United States to be made public, an official statement said Monday.
Publication would “favour a greater understanding and awareness” by public opinion of the benefits of a trade-opening deal, an economic development ministry statement.
The letter was co-signed by the European Commissioner for Trade, Karel de Gucht. Italy currently holds the presidency of EU ministerial meetings.
Resistance among anti-globalisation protesters in both the United States and the European Union has grown since the talks began a year ago, with activists worried that the deal is being negotiated behind closed doors to the benefit of corporate interests.
