92000E3862

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3862/00

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 December 2000)

Subject: Opening up of third-country markets

The European Union has adopted a series of measures aimed at liberalising imports of 65 categories of textile products and clothing from other member countries of the World Trade Organisation, with a view to completing Stage 3 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing.

In conjunction with these measures it has started negotiations with third countries to ensure that their markets are opened up further and hence bring about a better balance in trade between the EU and third countries.

Can the Commission specify what measures have been proposed to achieve this aim?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 2001)

In proposing to Council the list of products to be integrated in the Third Stage of Integration under the World trade organization (WTO) Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC), the Commission took the line that due to the absence of improved market access for Community textiles and clothing exports in third countries, third stage liberalisation should not go beyond the legal requirements of the ATC. Therefore, a number of quotas on the most sensitive products, have been retained whilst envisaging the possibility for further liberalisation in exchange for better access to third countries textiles clothing markets.

In order to address the issue of lack of market access, the Council simultaneously adopted negotiating directives for the Commission to hold bilateral market access negotiations with third countries, on a mutually beneficial basis. Such talks could lead to improved market access to the Community market for third countries, going beyond the content of the third stage liberalisation, on a bilateral basis.

The Commission has publicly invited all textiles exporting WTO members to show their willingness to engage in such market access talks and a number of them have already expressed interest.

So far the Commission has been able to negotiate and initial an agreement with Sri Lanka. Under the deal initialled on 5 December 2000, Sri Lanka will reduce and bind tariffs on Community textile exports, while the Community will suspend the four textiles quotas currently applicable on Sri Lanka's exports to the Community.

Other third countries have expressed interest and the Commission is presently engaged in exploratory talks with these third countries.