WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/01 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Ceramics industry in Portugal.
Date: 2001-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, Portugal, World Trade Organisation, ceramics, competition law, family business, import, micro-enterprise

C 147 E/4

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2002

In the case of the often lengthy invitations to tender and related documents for cooperation projects with
third countries, it is not feasible (cid:25) in view of the high cost in terms of financial and human resources and
the extra time involved in providing external assistance (cid:25) to work systematically in the national languages
both of all
the European Union. The TACIS
programme involves not only the EU Member States but also the 13 partner countries of the New
Independent States and Mongolia. Needless to say, the selections are made without any discrimination on
grounds of nationality.

the beneficiary countries and the Member States of

The Commission endeavours to take a pragmatic approach both in the interests of rapid and efficient
action on its part and to ensure transparency and the widest possible access for the operators in question.
It uses the Community languages which are current in international trade and in the countries in receipt of
Community aid. For practical reasons, the Commission accepts that some annexes to the tenders be drafted
in a language other than the Community language used in the invitations to tender and the reply form.
And Commission staff are available to clarify any aspect of the procedure to be followed to the operators
concerned.

Finally, to take the example of the TACIS cross-border cooperation programme (CBC) referred to by the
Honourable Member, current practice certainly does not show that Member States whose language is
English have an advantage when it comes to awarding the contracts.

(1) SEC(1999) 1801/2: Manual of instructions for service, supply and works contracts concluded within the framework

of Community cooperation for third countries (available on Europa).

(2002/C 147 E/005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1787/01

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 June 2001)

Subject: Ceramics industry in Portugal

In various parts of Portugal (in particular Barcelos, Alcobaça/Caldas da Rainha and Aveiro/Águeda) there is
still an important ceramics industry producing household and ornamental items. However, it is facing a
variety of problems, particularly where small and very small family-based businesses are concerned.

In the Barcelos area the situation is particularly serious: since 1995, production has been tailing off at an
increasingly rapid rate on account of the fact that the Community’s internal market is being flooded by
products from third countries, in particular China.

In its report of 14 February 2001 the Commission assesses the situation relating to the operation of quota
and monitoring mechanisms in respect of non-textile products from the People’s Republic of China and
proposes (in connection with the current negotiations on China’s membership of the WTO) that they
should be completely abolished by 31 December 2004.

How does the Commission reconcile the measures announced in the above report with the need to

1.
achieve social and economic cohesion and to safeguard jobs within the European Union?

2. What support (and, in particular, what financial support) is being considered as a means of assisting
the conversion of Portugal’s ceramics industry in time to prevent in from collapsing, it being the case that
Portugal is the EU Member State with the greatest social and economic problems?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The Community being the first trade area in the world is bound by its international obligations. As quotas
are not allowed under World trade organisation (WTO) rules, the quota on ceramic products should

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/5

therefore have been eliminated by the time of China’s accession to the WTO. However, the Commission
has negotiated for these products a transition period until 1st January 2005 where the quota will remain in
place (with a 15 % year on year increase). The opening of the Community market will therefore happen
only gradually. The phasing out of the remaining Community quotas vis-à-vis China mirrors the phasing
out of Chinese quotas. Therefore the process should bring benefits to both partners.

An appraisal of the consequences of trade liberalization should include positive as well as negative effects.
Trade contributes to higher investment, growth and jobs in the Community as well as in Portugal: 20 % of
employment in the Community is related to export activities. China’s WTO accession will bring new
opportunities to the Community producers of ceramic products, since in the framework of the accession
China agreed to reduce tariffs on 11 key ceramic products from 24,5-35 % to 10-15 %.

Increased competition can indeed have impacts on particular sectors that may be forced to restructure,
with costs in job losses. This negative aspect can be mitigated by the use of appropriate social policies,
including education, training, research and development, as well as social security safety nets. Though in
this case no particular measure is foreseen at Community level, Portugal is an objective 1 beneficiary of the
Community Regional Policy, which aims at addressing the social and economic renewal of regions
experiencing difficulties.

Moreover if the ceramics industry believes that it is suffering material
injury because of unfair trade
practices from its non-Community competitors, such as dumped or subsidised imports, it may submit a
complaint to the Commission. The Commission will then launch a formal investigation to establish if
remedial action such as trade defence measures is necessary.

Regarding the forthcoming Chinese entry to WTO, a clarification note was distributed by the Commission
and discussed with Member States in the Council’s C.Q. Group on 31 May 2001 in reply to a number of
questions raised by Member States regarding our non-textile quotas (footwear-ceramics-porcelain) vis-à-vis
China. It provides background and relevant information regarding present position and developments as
soon as China enters WTO. It is available on the Commission web site at: http://www.cc.cec:8082/comm/
trade/bilateral/china/cn200601.htm.

(2002/C 147 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1912/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 June 2001)

Subject: The unwillingness of the Indonesian government to condemn human rights violations in the

Moluccas

Moluccan Church leaders have appealed to the Indonesian authorities to evacuate Christians forced to
convert to Islam on the islands, but have so far received no assistance from that quarter. Does the
Commission accept that the Indonesian government has been involved with supplying equipment and
training to the Laskar Jihad group in the Moluccas which has been accused of numerous human rights
violations against Christians in the region. If so, what action does the Commission intend to take to
persuade the Indonesian government to stop cooperating with the Jihad?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concerns regarding the conflict in the Moluccas.
Through its Delegation in Jakarta and other appropriate channels, the Commission continues to gather
information about the situation in the area.