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Document 91997E001729

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1729/97 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. Free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade between the EU and Russia

IO C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 91 (ES, DA, DE, EL, EN, FR, IT, NL, PT)

European Parliament's website​

Date of document:
23/05/1997; Dáta tarchurtha
Date of dispatch:
23/05/1997
Date of reply:
11/07/1997; ?
Author:
Parlaimint na hEorpa, SEPPAENEN
Form:
Ceist scríofa
Addressee:
An Coimisiún Eorpach
Parliamentary term:
An ceathrú téarma
Political group:
Grúpa na hEite Clé i bParlaimint na hEorpa

91997E1729

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1729/97 by Esko SEPPÄNEN to the Commission. Free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade between the EU and Russia

Official Journal C 045 , 10/02/1998 P. 0091


WRITTEN QUESTION E-1729/97 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (23 May 1997)

Subject: Free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade between the EU and Russia

One of the biggest challenges for the future of Europe is to find ways of fostering the market economy and economic stability in Russia.

Finland is the only EU Member State which has a common border with Russia. It would be in the EU's own interests to exploit this fact, which is important from the point of view of trade strategy, by promoting financially trade between the EU and Russia and the development of cooperation in the Finnish-Russian border region.

The EU has previously approved the establishment of many special tax-free areas, including some which are far from its external borders.

Does the Commission believe that it would be justified to establish a special free economic area across the Finnish-Russian border to increase trade and develop the market economy in Russia?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

Like the Honourable Member, the Commission welcomes the developments in Russia towards a market economy.

The Commission is of the opinion that the increase in trade between Finland and Russia in recent years contributes considerably to economic stabilisation in the northern part of Russia.

However, a range of difficulties continue on the Russian side of the border between Finland and Russia. Russia is still in a process of adaptation to international trade procedures. Should the Commission be informed of concrete plans to create a special free-tax area at the border, it would forthwith carefully examine the possible consequences of such plans. The Commission points out that the creation of such a zone could lead to trade distortion and act against the objective of normalisation of trade activities between the Community and Russia.

The Commission will continue to monitor progress and under various TACIS projects it supports action to improve the situation at the border region in such fields as customs training and construction of border crossings.

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