Mr President, the maritime sector is an important industry and employer in Europe. 40% of EU trade is already by sea or inland waterway. The vast majority of our trade with the rest of the world is by sea. Those of us who want to encourage the use of this more environmentally-friendly mode of transport welcome any action that encourages trade by sea. It is within this context that I, as your rapporteur, welcome the agreement on maritime transport between the European Community and the People's Republic of China. China is the EU's third largest trading partner outside Europe, which makes the Chinese market particularly important for European shipping interests. The growth of trade with China constitutes both an important boost to employment and an opportunity to further develop the maritime sector to ensure even more trade is by sea. In the past decade relations with China have developed in a positive way, particularly in respect of the maritime sector, with the majority of Member States signing bilateral agreements with the Chinese. The key aim of this proposal is to secure an EU-wide agreement to improve the conditions of maritime cargo transport operations concerning China and the EU. The agreement therefore applies to international maritime cargo transport on logistic services between the ports in China and the Member States and indeed international maritime cargo transport between the ports of the EU. For example, as regards the ports and the use of infrastructure, each contracting party shall ensure non-discriminatory treatment of each other's vessels. The same principle shall apply in relation to fees, charges and customs formalities. The agreement is concluded for a period of five years and shall be tacitly reviewed on an annual basis. The agreement will only act as a substitute for the trade provisions of existing bilateral maritime agreements. I particularly welcome two important features of this agreement. Firstly, if this agreement is less favourable than the existing bilateral arrangements then the more favourable shall prevail. Secondly, I am very pleased that the Commission has indicated informally that it will assist companies that suffer discrimination, informally taking up these matters with the Chinese directly and therefore avoiding the potential of lengthy and costly litigation. I should like to personally thank the Commission for its assistance on that point. However, as the rapporteur, I have some concerns. This agreement with China also applies to vessels flying the flags of third countries but owned or operated by a shipping company of China or a Member State of the EU. In other words, we are potentially giving preferential access to flags of convenience. In the wake of the Erika and Prestige disasters, we must ask the Commission why the agreement seeks to provide the advantages of unrestricted access and non-discriminatory treatment to European or Chinese ship owners who choose to register their ships in third countries. I also regret the lack of formal consultation with the social partners, which could have addressed some of these concerns and made the agreement all the more effective. Consequently I have tabled an amendment asking for the subsequent reviews – the annual reviews I have already referred to – to take this point into account. The amendment seeks to add a new paragraph 1a to the legislative resolution, which reads: 'Requests that the concerns regarding the recognition of third country flags within the scope of this agreement be evaluated in subsequent renewals.' The amendment does not seek, in any way, to inhibit any of the benefits for those on all sides of this agreement, but merely seeks to review this potential loophole. In conclusion, as rapporteur, I welcome this historic EU maritime agreement with the People's Republic of China. It is a positive step in building ever-closer relations between Europe and China, an important boost for jobs and an important boost for those of us who want to see a renaissance of Europe's maritime trade.

Political group: PSE