WRITTEN QUESTION E-2485/00 by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council. Relations between the Union and Latin America under the French Presidency.
Date: 2000-07-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Latin America

C 103 E/164

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

the report never states this in black and white. The sole justification for the
interestingly enough,
continued derogations is the enormous difference in rates across borders and, more importantly, the need
for the high rates to be reduced in conjunction with the phased removal of import restrictions.

Does the Commission find that the current rate differentials are unsustainable within an internal market? If
so, what measures is it going to take to remedy the unsustainability? Will it propose, in its report on the
operation of the minimum rates (under Directive 92/84/EEC) (1), that the high rates should be reduced?

Article 93 of the EC Treaty relates to the harmonisation of indirect taxation to the extent necessary for the
establishment and functioning of the internal market. Is not this Article relevant for the consideration of
the Finnish and Swedish derogations?

The Commission(cid:146)s report on the extension and phasing-out of the derogations for the Nordic countries
concludes that the Nordic countries should make the adjustments necessary to allow the intra-EU personal
import restrictions to be lifted. Am I right in assuming that the adjustments required are the reduction of
excise rates?

If the Nordic countries do not make the necessary adjustments, can the Commission guarantee that the
derogations will expire on 31 December 2003?

Does it accept that, if the high excise rates in the Nordic countries are not gradually reduced as the import
restrictions are phased out, the distortion of the internal market will increase? If so, is a measure that
increases distortions actually justified? Does it help towards the attainment of the objective set out in
Article 93 of the EC Treaty?

(1) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 29.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

As the Commission has indicated in the report mentioned by the Honourable Member, the derogations
were granted in order to enable the Member States concerned to adapt their policy gradually to the full
requirement of the internal market. It is up to these Member States to determine the nature of any
measures to be taken in parallel with the dismantling of the restrictions for travellers. In any case, the
Commission does not intend to propose any further extension of the derogations beyond the end of 2003,
even if it would appear that these Member States would have omitted to take the necessary measures to
adapt.

The question of the level of the excise duty rates applied by the Member States will be treated in its
broader context in a report that the Commission will submit at the beginning of 2001. The report will
take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, competition between the different
categories of alcoholic drinks, the real value of the rates of duty and the wider objectives of the
EC Treaty. The Commission does not want to prejudge the conclusions of this report.

(2001/C 103 E/187)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2485/00

by Isidoro SÆnchez Garc(cid:237)a (ELDR) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Relations between the Union and Latin America under the French Presidency

In his speech to Parliament outlining Council activities in the second half of 2000, the French President,
Jacques Chirac, said that the Union should strengthen its role on the international stage.

How does the Council propose to handle the Union(cid:146)s external relations with Latin America?

3.4.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/165

Reply

(9 November 2000)

1.
The Council considers that implementation of the bilateral commitments and guidelines adopted by
the European Union and the countries of Latin America, in the existing institutional framework, could
indeed contribute to strengthening the EU(cid:146)s role on the international stage. Regarding the definition of
these guidelines and commitments, special reference should be made to the first Summit of the Heads of
State and of Government of the European Union and of Latin American and Caribbean countries (Rio de
Janeiro, 28/29 June 1999) and the IXth Institutionalised Ministerial Meeting between the European Union
and the Rio Group (Vilamoura, 24 February 2000). It should be noted that the latter meeting was
immediately preceded and followed by other meetings with more restricted geographical frameworks
(EU-Mexico, EU-Andean Community and EU-Mercosur/Chile and Bolivia Ministerial Meetings) which
contributed to defining more specific cooperation objectives.

The framework and objectives of that cooperation as defined could be given more detail and improved in
the near future. They will thus contribute to the definition of a strategic partnership in the political,
economic, social, environmental, educational, cultural, human, technical and scientific fields.

2.

This partnership, as defined at Vilamoura, covers sectors as varied as:

(cid:129) the role of the international and regional systems for promoting and protecting human rights and

fundamental freedoms;

(cid:129) the elimination of poverty, marginalisation and social exclusion and the reduction of socio-economic

inequalities;

(cid:129) respect for the principles and provisions of international and humanitarian law;

(cid:129) the stepping up of cooperation on subjects of common interest within international fora;

(cid:129) coordination with regard to combating the world drugs problem, organised crime and terrorism;

(cid:129) prevention of natural catastrophes, from the development viewpoint;

(cid:129) sustainable development, including the question of world conservation of forests and the rational use

of forest resources;

(cid:129) regional integration;

(cid:129) bi-regional cooperation to bolster national systems and put into place prevention and early-warning

mechanisms for international financial crises.

The Community bodies, and in particular the Council of the European Union, must therefore do what is
required to intensify cooperation with Latin America, particularly in the abovementioned sectors.

3.
Note that the French Presidency(cid:146)s programme for the second half of 2000 especially emphasises the
continuation of dialogue with the sub-regions of Latin America in the framework of regular meetings with
the regional groups to be held alongside the United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency will also
propose to its partners that they reflect on a review of the common position on Cuba and the possibility
of restoring political dialogue with that country.

The competent bodies of the EU Council will,

4.
in good time and as applicable, define the rules
appropriate for deepening and broadening relations with the countries of Latin America. They thus hope
to contribute to a strengthening of the role of the EU on the international stage, as proposed by European
Council President Jacques Chirac in his speech to the European Parliament.