WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3294/97 by Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER to the Commission. EU trade policy
Date: 1997-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, KREISSL-DOERFLER
Subjects: International Labour Organisation, Uruguay Round, World Trade Organisation, common commercial policy, equal treatment, gender equality, job creation, revision of an agreement

C 158/80

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 5. 98

(98/C 158/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3293/97

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission

(20 October 1997)

Subject: Market access for least developed countries

How  does  the  Commission  intend  to  implement  the  Council  decision  which  provides  for  least  developed
countries to have parity with the ACP countries? What will be the difficulties in implementing the decision? Do
any practical proposals on this subject exist?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3292/97 and E-3293/97
given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1997)

The  Council  asked  the  Commission  in  June  this  year  to  table  proposals  on  equivalent  treatment  of  all  the
least-advanced countries by 1 January1998. The Commission is working on those proposals, taking account of
the  Community(cid:146)s  obligations  under  the  Lome· Convention  and  the  provisions  of  the  generalised  scheme  of
preferences. Given the structural differences between the trade arrangements that the Community has with the
least-advanced  countries  party  to  the  Lome· Convention  and  with  the  least-advanced  countries  which  are  not
parties thereto but beneficiaries of the GSP, a number of technical difficulties do exist and solutions to them are
being sought. As soon as they have been found, a proposal will be put before the Council as quickly as possible.

(98/C 158/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3294/97

by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission

(20 October 1997)

Subject: EU trade policy

Which of the topics referred to in the Commission(cid:146)s report on trade policy are to be discussed in the framework
of the WTO in Geneva? Has the Commission made an assessment of the question of how much its trade policy
contributes to job creation and guarantees equality of opportunity also for unskilled workers and women?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1997)

A wide range of trade policy topics are discussed in the framework of the World trade organisation (WTO) in
Geneva. Most of the agreements negotiated during the Uruguay Round contain revision clauses or expressly
provide for further negotiations. These form the so-called built-in agenda.

The built-in agenda was added to by the WTO ministerial conference in December 1996. Ministers approved a
plan  of  action  for  least  developed  countries  and  preliminary  discussions  on  regional  trade  preferences,
transparency of government procurement, facilitation of trade rules and procedures, trade and investment and
trade and competition.

The Commission is firmly convinced that the Community established trade policy, as reflected in approval of the
outcome of the Uruguay Round and subsequent ministerial decisions, contributes strongly to job creation within
the Community. The Commission is also firmly committed to equality of opportunity for unskilled workers and