92002E2372

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2372/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: GATS

We recognise that many of the concerns felt by local/regional authorities within the EU with regard to GATS, particularly the delivery of health, education and other essential services, are shared by sub-national governments across the world, including developing countries. Given that the EU is a major donor to developing countries in areas such as health and education, has the European Commission carried out an independent assessment of the potential impact of GATS on service delivery in these sectors and EU development policy?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

Since the European Communities have not included any requests for improved market access in the health and education sectors to developing countries in its initial requests, the Commission has not undertaken any specific assessment of the potential impact of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on service delivery in these sectors and Union development policy. Nevertheless, the Commission is working with some of the Member States and other major international partners to further document the potential impact of GATS on service delivery for poor people, both women and men, and to inform our positions.