92002E2644

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2644/02

by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission

(20 September 2002)

Subject: Violation by Norway of the EEA Agreement in dispute regarding the export of non-Norwegian fish on Norwegian certificates of origin

In the Commission's long-running dispute concerning the purchase of fish from Norway by Danish fish importers, it has long been clear that the Danish importers were acting in good faith, since they accepted the certificates of origin from Norway, which appeared in every respect to be correct and valid.

The Danish Minister of Finance has now made it quite clear that the Danish Finance Ministry places the blame for this whole case fairly and squarely on the incorrect and superficial manner in which the Norwegian authorities handled the issuing of certificates of origin. The Danish minister has hitherto called in vain on the Norwegian authorities to acknowledge their mistakes, which consisted in particular of authorising Norwegian firms to issue certificates of origin without fulfilling even the most elementary requirements for issuing these certificates and without the necessary supervision being exercised by the Norwegian customs.

Since the Norwegian government has thus not complied with the EEA Agreement, still less acknowledged the mistakes that have occurred, will the Commission be taking any steps towards rescinding the EEA Agreement with Norway?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(28 October 2002)

The Commission refers to the replies it gave to oral question H-0453/02 during question time at Parliament's June 2002 session(1) and to Written Question P-2363/02(2), both of them by Mrs Riis-Jorgensen, in which it has already explained the measures taken under the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement concerning this matter. The Commission considers that, taking into account the actions having already taken place, rescinding the EEA Agreement would be a disproportionate reaction to this problem, and it is not being considered.

(1) Written reply, 11.6.2002.

(2) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 49.