WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2478/96 by Antonio TAJANI to the Commission. Trade in olive oil with Tunisia - restatement of Written Question No E-1737/96 following the Commission's reply of 16 July 1996
Date: 1996-09-13
Institutions: European Parliament, TAJANI
Subjects: EU production, Tunisia, agreement (EU), export restriction, inflation, intra-EU trade, marketing, olive oil, price increase, trade relations













EUR-Lex - 91996E2478 - EN






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91996E2478

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2478/96 by Antonio TAJANI to the Commission. Trade in olive oil with Tunisia - restatement of Written Question No E-1737/96 following the Commission's reply of 16 July 1996  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0099 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-2478/96 by Antonio Tajani (UPE) to the Commission (13 September 1996)Subject: Trade in olive oil with Tunisia - restatement of Written Question No E-1737/96 following the Commission's reply of 16 July 1996On 27 March 1996 the Commission replied to a first written question, which was tabled in February 1996 (No E-0470/96) ((OJ C 280, 25.9.1996, p. 33. )). In June 1996, that question was restated and a number of specific points for discussion were put forward (Written Question No E-1737/96) ((OJ C 297, 8.10.1996, p. 133. ))).Given that the reply to that question can only be seen as extremely evasive and totally unacceptable, would the Commission not agree that it should:- clarify its reply of 27 March 1996, given that the questions asked were transparently clear; and- recommend that the relevant Tunisian authority confirm the effects of the Presidential Decree of 25 December 1995 and, thereby, the blocking of exports of olive oil?It should be pointed out the above decree expires on 31 October 1996 and that the Commission's continuing failure to take a decision on the matter at a time when the Community's oil-producing capacity has fallen is causing consumer prices to rise, with direct implications for real inflation rates.Would the Commission therefore make representations to the Tunisian authorities, and if necessary impose sanctions for breach of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement of 17 May 1995?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 October 1996)Further to the Commission's answer to the Honourable Member's written question E-1737/96, ((OJ C 297 of 8.10.1996. )) it should be pointed out that the Commission does not consider the Tunisian Presidential Decree of 25 December 1995 to be incompatible with the bilateral agreement between the Community and Tunisia in effect since 1978. This agreement is still applicable, and consequently, the Commission has no intention of asking the Tunisian authorities to annul the decree.However, the new agreement concluded in 1995 between the Community and Tunisia provides for the adjustment of state monopolies of a commercial nature. There will be a five-year period for this to be effected, beginning when the agreement takes effect. The agreement will enter into force as soon as the parliamentary ratification process is concluded. The Commission will ensure that Tunisia complies with the new agreement.The Commission believes that price increases in the olive oil sector can be put down to the decline in Community and international supply.