91997E1746

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1746/97 by Honório Novo (GUE/NGL) and Sérgio Ribeiro (GUE/NGL) to the Council (22 May 1997)

Subject: Imports of textiles and clothing from Indonesia

In the wake of the amendments to Regulation 3030/93 ((OJ L 275, 8.11.1993, p. 1. )) adopted in January 1997 and ratified by the Council on 29 April 1997, the Commission has adopted a specific regulation intended to allow additional quantities of textiles products and clothing to be imported from Indonesia.

Does the Council believe that its decision of 29 April 1997 is compatible with Indonesia's failure to respect the decisions of the UN, and with the positions of the European Parliament and the EU requiring trade relations with Indonesia to be conditional on the East Timor issue?

Answer (28 October 1997)

Additional quantities of imports of certain textile products originating in Indonesia were granted by Commission Regulation No 560/97 of 26 March 1997 ((OJ L 85, 27.3.1997. )), whose entry into force preceded the date of adoption of Regulation (EC) No 824/97 ((OJ L 119, 8.5.1997. )) which amends Regulation (EC) No 3030/97 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries.

The abovementioned Regulation (EC) No 824/97 was adopted without prejudice to the European Union's position on the political questions concerning third countries. The Regulation falls within the sphere of competence of the Commission, assisted by the Textiles Management Committee.

On 25 June 1996 the Council adopted a common position defining the European Union's policy towards East Timor. The common position contains no trade sanction in respect of Indonesia