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A seminar on the future of EU trade policy was held on Tuesday at the European Parliament (EP). Father George Vâlcu addressed the event on behalf of the Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the EU (CROCEU), proposing that trade be centred less on profit and more on the real needs of the human person. Temperance is key, not growth in itself, he said, basilica reports.
“Paraphrasing the Gospel, we could say that trade was made for man, and not man for trade,” said Father Vâlcu.
He also pointed that the current trading system is in dire need of a fundamental change of course from a Christian perspective. He spoke of “the need for trade to be based not so much on an ever-growing concern for growth – which we all know is not at all sustainable – but more so on real needs”.
“More is not necessarily better, and the deeply-established habit in our societies to buy for the sake of consuming strongly needs to be counterbalanced with a certain sense for temperance and moderation,” concluded Father George Vâlcu.
The event brought together EU political leaders and civil servants working in the field, scholars and representatives of faith communities across the continent.
Hosted by EP Vice-President Roberta Metsola, the event was in hybrid format, with many of the guests participating online.
“Trade is one of our most powerful tools in this changing world. It communicates to the world what we value, in terms of products; it communicates to the world whom we value, in terms of partners. And it also communicates what we are not willing to sacrifice in order to get something at a lower cost,” said Roberta Metsola.
“Trade also allows us to promote the values that we find important,” she added.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission spoke of the strong contribution that faith-based organizations can bring to the debate on this field.
“Trade is not an end in itself, but rather a way to foster sustainable development for all, based on certain non-negotiable core-values, such as social fairness and environmental protection,” stated Margaritis Schinas.
