91999E2010

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2010/99

by Jean-Claude Fruteau (PSE) to the Commission

(9 November 1999)

Subject: OCT association arrangements

There appears to be some confusion as to the nature of the European Union's relations with the OCT countries, which have links with only four Member States (United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Denmark).

While the European Union plays an essential role in the development of the former OCTs that have become ACP states, it appears to have abandoned the remaining OCTs, which are viewed as hybrids. Ambivalence in terms of legal status, unanimous decision-making in the Council and artificial trade flows which contribute little to development in the OCTs but have a highly disruptive effect on the Community market are just some of the very real difficulties experienced by these countries.

With the signature of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Intergovernmental Conference invited the Council, acting in accordance with the provisions of Article 136 of the Treaty (mldr) to review the association arrangements (mldr) by February 2000, with [a] fourfold objective.

What specific measures does the Commission intend to propose to the Council to further the aims of economic and social development, progress in EU-OCT relations, taking greater account of the diversity and specific characteristics of the OCTs and, finally, improving the financial instrument?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 1999)

The Honourable Member rightly refers to the declaration on the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) in the Final Act of the Amsterdam Conference.

Following that declaration the Commission entered into consultations with the four Member States to which the 20 OCTs are linked and also, under the partnership arrangements, with the authorities of the 20 OCTs in question, who met in Brussels at the highest level for the first time.

The main ideas to emerge from these wide-ranging consultations are set out in the Commission's communication of 20 May 1999, The status of OCTs associated with the EC and options for OCT 2000(1) in which the Commission describes the OCTs and their position under Community law, opens a fundamental debate on the OCT association and offers policy proposals for 2000.

Shortly, the Commission will draw up a proposal to present to the Council concerning arrangements to succeed the current Association Decision after 1 March 2000.

The substance of the proposal is still under discussion and should be largely based on the suggestions of the OCTs themselves. Proposals will include: a better definition of their status under secondary legislation, substantial simplification of the Community's aid by more decentralisation of its management to the beneficiary countries and territories; extension of cooperation to new areas in order to help the OCTs meet the new challenges of the global economy; and a greater effort to meet the OCTs' wishes on the subject of non-reciprocity of the rules of establishment.

(1) COM(1999) 163 final.