WRITTEN QUESTION P-1980/00 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European shipbuilding industry.
Date: 2000-06-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: South Korea, intra-EU trade, restriction on competition, shipbuilding, trade dispute

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/197

that diplomatic representatives continue to enjoy even today within the common internal market. Thus the
MEPs Atsrid Lulling (1991), Outi Ojala (1998), Philippe De Coene (1999) and Michl Ebner (1999/2000)
have tabled parliamentary questions in this context, the MEPs Cushnahan, Banotti and Gillis (1996) a
motion for a resolution.

Given the unambiguous demands voiced by the European Parliament, how can the Commission justify its
lack of action in this matter?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to his Written Question E-1996/99 (1).

(1) OJ C 219 E, 1.8.2000, p. 63.

(2001/C 53 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1980/00

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: European shipbuilding industry

(7 June 2000)

On the basis of a second report submitted by the Commission again highlighting the existence of a world
crisis caused by the unfair competition practised by South Korea in the shipbuilding sector, the EU Council
of Ministers of 18 May 2000 instructed the Commission to continue to monitor developments on the
world market in the sector, particularly Korean practices, and to propose specific measures to protect
European shipyards in the event that South Korea is still practising unfair competition in September.

Furthermore, Commissioner Lamy has stated in reply to my Written Question P-0729/00 (1) that,
if
necessary, (cid:145)the Commission would be prepared to initiate an investigation. This could end up before the
WTO Dispute Settlement Body(cid:133)(cid:146).

Can the Commission say what specific action it has taken to monitor the situation with regard to South
Korea and what results this has produced to date?

Specifically, what action has been taken to monitor the undertaking given by South Korea not to intervene
to rescue bankrupt shipyards and to implement transparency rules and international accounting standards
ensuring that ships are priced so as to cover all costs?

Can the Commission provide more detailed information on this undertaking and the extent to which it has
been complied with up to now?

What measures will
in September?

the Commission adopt

if South Korea is still practising unfair competition

What specific conditions must be met for the Commission to lodge a complaint against South Korea
before the WTO Dispute Settlement Body in September? Are these conditions already met?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 210.

C 53 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(29 June 2000)

The bilateral dialogue begun in December 1999 culminated in an international agreement in the form of
(cid:145)Agreed Minutes between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Korea relating
to the world shipbuilding market(cid:146). This document, initialled on 10 April 2000, was adopted by the Council
on 19 June 2000 and signed by the two parties on 22 June 2000.

In its conclusions of 18 May 2000, the Council (Industry) called on the Commission to begin immediate
consultations with Korea under the Agreed Minutes. This request will officially be put to Korea as soon as
the agreement enters into force, i.e. on the day of its signature. Korea has, in principle, agreed to hold such
negotiations on 18 and 19 July 2000 in Seoul. The Commission delegation to be sent to Seoul will be
accompanied by a team of Commission experts covering various aspects of the matters to be discussed.

These consultations should cover verification of compliance with the undertakings given by the Koreans
with regard to transparency, non-subsidisation and commercially viable pricing practices.

Under the agreement, progress will be reviewed in September 2000 at a second meeting in Brussels.

In accordance with the Council conclusions of 18 May 2000, the Commission must report to the Council
by the end of September 2000 to evaluate the results of the consultations and the solutions found to
resolve the problems of the Community industry in the face of competition from Korean shipyards.

At all events,
the Commission will continue to monitor closely the shipbuilding market and the
competitive behaviour of Korean shipyards. It will report to the Council on the results of its investigations
when the time comes.

(2001/C 53 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1991/00

by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 June 2000)

Subject: Vitamin production

In 1999, the Danish association Landforeningen Den Lokale Andel learned that restrictive practices had
been operating in the vitamin industry and that heavy fines had been imposed in the USA in that
connection.

The association subsequently referred a matter to the Commission on 19 August 1999.

Having received no reply, the association contacted GD IV in November 1999 and was informed that a
decision was being drawn up and would be available shortly. No formal notification of the suspected
offence was therefore filed.

Is the Commission in the process of investigating this matter? What stage has the Commission reached in
considering the matter? When can a decision be expected?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

The Commission can confirm that it is in the process of investigating alleged anti-competitive practices in
the European vitamins market. Given that this is a pending cartel case, no further comments on the merits
or likely outcome of the procedure can be made at present. The procedure is however at a very advanced
stage.