91998E3833

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3833/98

by Paul Rübig (PPE) to the Commission

(22 December 1998)

Subject: Impact of international financial turmoil on the European steel market - enlargement

The international steel trade faces new challenges; three major regions of the world - Russia, South-East Asia and Latin America - are facing economic problems. The consequences of this are twofold: the shift in traditional trade flows has led to massive increases in imports into Europe, with a 520 % rise in imports from Asia and a 109 % rise in imports from the USA in 1998, and the concentration of markets has resulted in a fall in European exports, exacerbated by a tendency towards regional protectionism. European steel producers have so far coped successfully with this development. The number of operators in central and eastern European countries raises important issues for the Union's enlargement strategy.

What importance does the Commission attach to the steel sector in the current and planned accession negotiations, particularly in view of the current situation?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(24 February 1999)

As regards the steel sector, the applicant countries will be expected, upon accession, to implement the relevant acquis. In the run up to membership they prepare themselves in the framework of the pre-accession strategy. The Commission attaches great importance to the steel sector in this preparatory phase. In its communication of 7 April 1998(1), the Commission outlined a methodology for supporting steel industry restructuring in the Central and Eastern European countries to ensure a successful integration into the internal market.

(1) COM(98) 220 final.