WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/00 by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission. Croatia's accession to the WTO.
Date: 2000-01-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Croatia, World Trade Organisation, accession to an agreement, common commercial policy

C 303 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

24.10.2000

(2000/C 303 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0148/00

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(24 January 2000)

Subject: Croatia(cid:146)s accession to the WTO

In view of the recent election of a progressive new government in Croatia, could the Commission explain
why Croatia(cid:146)s accesison to the WTO has been stalled for several months due to objections from the
European Union? What action is being taken to ensure that Croatia accedes to the WTO as soon as
possible, in line with the EU(cid:146)s wider policy towards the Balkans?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2000)

The Commission is committed to a rapid conclusion of the negotiations on the accession of Croatia to the
World trade organization (WTO). The political changes that are taking place in Croatia make it possible to
follow a new path in bilateral relations. However, as this new path is one of closer integration with the
Union this integration should not be made more difficult for both the Community and Croatia by the
latter(cid:146)s terms of accession to the WTO. Negotiations with the interested parties continue and will be
intensified in the weeks to come to reach soon a satisfactory conclusion.

(2000/C 303 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0153/00

by Alonso Puerta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Barriers to free movement by road at French frontiers

From 10 to 12 January 2000, road transport employers(cid:146) organisations in France blocked the frontiers with
Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium, as well as the ports linking France and the United Kingdom, in protest
at the law on the 35-hour week and the increase in the price of diesel oil.

fruit and vegetables, with
the busiest months for Spanish exporters of
January is usually one of
6 000 million pesetas worth of exports expected to cross French frontiers by road each day, while there
is a risk that the blockade will shortly lead to a supply surplus and a collapse of prices on the European
market.

What measures has the Commission taken or will it take to ensure that, in accordance with the rules in
force, France compensates exporters and hauliers for the losses they have suffered, dealing with the claims
promptly and providing adequate compensation commensurate with the damage caused?

What further measures could the Commission take to restore freedom of movement in future if events
similar to those in France recur?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2000)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission(cid:146)s attention to the considerable economic impact on
the Community(cid:146)s fruit and vegetable companies of the border blockades imposed by French hauliers from
9 to 12 January 2000.

The Commission would like to stress that it decided to implement the provisions of Council Regulation
(EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free