EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/407

(2004/C 88 E/0413)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2371/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: EU-Egypt Association Agreement

Can the Commission provide assurances that when the EU-Egypt Association Agreement comes into force, it will remain vigilant as to the extent Egypt fulfils the terms set out in Article 2, concerning respect for human rights? How will the Commission measure Egypt's compliance with this article and what steps will the Commission take to ensure that Egypt adheres fully to its obligations?

Is there any possibility that Egypt may be able to take advantage ‘at an early stage’ of some benefits that would result from the Agreement, and if so, can the Commission clarify what benefits may be offered, and when? Furthermore, will the Commission agree that should such benefits be made available, Egypt will also be required to take steps in respect of other aspects of the Agreement, particularly Article 2?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 August 2003)

The respect of human rights is a matter of great importance for the Commission, which has been following closely the situation in Egypt independently of the entry into force of the association agreement. The Honourable Member will be aware of the Union's many efforts on issues of Human Rights and Democratisation in Egypt. Most recently discussions on human rights questions took place during the Union-Egypt ministerial meeting of 16/17 June 2003.

When the Association Agreement enters into force, article 3 foresees the start of a formal political dialogue, inter alia on human rights and democratisation, in the framework of Association Councils and Committees. This dialogue will provide a solid basis for developing more profound dialogue and cooperation with Egypt in the areas of human rights and democratisation.

In addition, the Commission intends to further build on an enhanced dialogue and cooperation through the implementation of a recent Commission initiative. On 22 May 2003, the Commission issued a Communication aimed at ‘reinvigorating Union actions on Human Rights and democratisation with the Mediterranean partners’, within the framework of both dialogue and co-operation under the Euro-Med Association Agreements. The communication is now under the consideration of the Council and the Parliament.

As regards the ‘possibility that Egypt may be able to take advantage “at an early stage” of some benefits that would result from the Agreement’, this would first depend on the date of entry into force of the association agreement, in view of the necessary ratification by each Member State. A provisional application of the association agreement would cover trade and trade related provisions and would require both parties to the association agreement to come to an understanding to proceed in such manner. Examples of provisional application of association agreements already exist (e.g. with Lebanon). In such case, the benefits would be the ones set out in the association agreement signed on 25 June 2001. It would concern in particular the dismantling of tariffs for industrial products imported into Egypt, and the arrangements for agricultural, fisheries and processed agricultural products. Industrial products originating in Egypt already enjoy free access to the Community according to the Co-operation Agreement signed in 1977.

In order to implement the objectives of the agreement and in particular, in the framework of the New Neighbourhood policy, the Commission will ensure that progress is made in all the components of the agreement, including article 3.