The system of sub-committees continues to function as a forum for technical discussions. The Joint Parliamentary Committee comprising representatives of the Polish and European Parliament met in November 1998 in Brussels and March 1999 in Warsaw. The Association Council has decided on the establishment of a Joint Consultative Economic and Social Committee. Bilateral trade continues to increase. In 1998 EU exports to Poland stood at EURO28.1 billion and imports at EURO16.1 billion resulting in an EU trade surplus of EURO12 billion.
Bilateral trade continues to grow at a rate in excess of overall trade.
However, while trade increased in absolute terms, the rate of growth declined in 1998. As a consequence the trade gap when expressed as the ratio of exports to imports decreased in 1998, the first such fall since 1993. Concerning trade by product, machinery and electrical goods represent the largest sector for both EU exports to and imports from Poland. In March 1999, the Council mandated the Commission to open negotiations with the associated countries in view of new reciprocal concessions in the field of agriculture. The Council mandate clearly refers to the accession process and is based on the assumption that the progressive and orderly liberalisation of bilateral trade should be an important instrument in preparation of Poland's economic integration into the Community market.