WRITTEN QUESTION E-2354/01

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 August 2001)

Subject: EU-Mercosur negotiations

Negotiations between the EU and the Mercosur authorities with a view to making progress on the agreement on free trade in goods and services were held in Montevideo at the beginning of July.

The Commission stated that the objective of the negotiations was to bring about substantial liberalisation between the two parties.

In the light of the outcome of recent rounds of negotiations, particularly the latest round, in which it was noted that certain areas still require intensive negotiations, what are the Commission's current forecasts as regards a successful conclusion to the negotiations on the above agreement?

When and how are detailed discussions to be held on the various aspects relating to access for raw materials such as hides and skins and tariffs applicable to textiles?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 2001)

As provided for in the negotiating directives, the Commission presented its offer on tariff, services and public purchases to Mercosur at the fifth negotiating session.

The Mercosur countries were unanimous in their very positive reaction to the Union's political gesture and undertook to present their own offer before the next session, or at any rate before 30 October 2001.

From the outset the Commission has taken these negotiations very seriously. Five rounds have already been held. The sixth is planned for the week of 29 to 31 October to suit the presentation of Mercosur's tariff offer.

The Commission has always defended European industry's need for access to raw materials. Thus it has requested suspension of export taxes and even elimination of unfair trading practices which de facto make it impossible to import this type of product. The detailed negotiations on the products themselves will begin at the negotiating round due to be held in Brussels at the end of October.