EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/4

(2004/C 88 E/0004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0084/03

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 January 2003)

Subject: EU/Morocco policies

Bearing in mind that Andalusia is among the EU regions with the highest unemployment, is the Commission aware that, in one way or another, all the negotiations conducted with Morocco in recent years in whatever field — agriculture, fisheries or diplomatic matters, immigration and drug trafficking — directly affect Andalusia, either in economic or social terms or in terms of its image in the outside world?

Does the Commission not consider it necessary that the EU should consult or at least ascertain the opinion of the Andalusian authorities and government with regard to negotiations in these specific cases?

Is the Commission familiar with the political landscape in Andalusia? Is it aware of the level of on-going confrontation between the autonomous and state governments in Spain? Is the Commission aware that many of its decisions deepen the political breach between the two levels of administration and that this breach is already having direct adverse effects on Andalusia's development and economy?

Does the Commission not believe that many of its decisions are having a negative impact on the development of a region whose unemployment rate is among the highest in the EU?

I should be grateful not to receive a reply based on the European Union's lack of competence in these matters, on the grounds that each Member State is responsible for relations with its regions. Seven and a half million Andalusians — and Europeans — are tired of being used as a bargaining counter for the EU in its agricultural and fisheries negotiations with Morocco.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

The Commission regrets the wrong perception provided to the Honourable Member and would like to share with him the following thoughts:

— The negotiations on fishery and agriculture with any third country are led by the Commission on the basis of a mandate provided by the Member States through the Council. The Member States are regularly informed of the developments of the negotiations and are expected to endorse the final results. In all the negotiations held in the past or being held at the moment, the interests of Andalucia have been and are adequately represented by the Kingdom of Spain.

— In the framework of the competencies established by the Treaties, the Commission has, as one of its main priorities, the protection of the interests of all the citizens of the Union, the producers as well as the consumers.

— Being the Union the main partner of Morocco as far as trade, investment and aid is concerned, the possibilities for investment and trade have increased in the recent years also thanks to the Association Agreement in force since March 2000.

— The excellent relations of the Union with Morocco relate to a wider spectrum of fields which allow the Union to discuss, among others, about migration issues, and in particular the illegal migration, subject so important for the region of Andalucia.

— Because its economic situation, Andalucia is one of the main beneficiaries of the structural funds of the Union and among those, Interreg funds, being an external border region of the Union.

The Commission hopes the above arguments might contribute in reassuring the people of Andalucia that their interests are fully taken into account by the Union.