WRITTEN QUESTION E-0600/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Poverty and emigration from the Maghreb countries to the EU.
Date: 2002-03-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU migration policy, EU programme, Maghreb, Spain, association agreement (EU), development aid, economic development, poverty, sustainable development

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Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

(2003/C 28 E/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0600/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Poverty and emigration from the Maghreb countries to the EU

The previous Spanish government passed a law preventing the return of economic migrants from Spain to
North Africa, many of whom subsequently travel through Europe to countries such as Belgium, France and
the UK. Does the Commission believe that this law is consistent with Spain’s obligations to other Member
States under the Dublin Convention and under the Treaties, and has the Commission raised the
implications of this law with the Spanish government?

As a matter of general policy, does the Commission believe that the most appropriate solution to poverty
in the Maghreb region is not to make porous the external borders of the European Union, with all the
problems which that can cause for Member States, but to encourage economic and political reform,
respect for good governance and human rights, together with the economic investment which that will
including its
bring, and to assist
agricultural markets, so that they can feel the full benefits of economic liberalisation and not feel excluded
from large protectionist trading blocs?

these countries by progressively opening the EU’s own markets,

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2002)

The Honourable Member is probably referring to the Aliens’ Law Act 4/2000 of 4 January 2000. Under
that Act, the absence of a valid residence permit was not a sufficient ground for expulsion out of Spain.
This provision did not run contrary to the Dublin Convention as it did not affect Spain’s obligation to
acknowledge its responsibility for examining the application for asylum of the third-country nationals who
had entered the Union through Spain’s external borders, nor did it infringe other obligations of Spain
under the Treaty. The Honourable Member might be interested in the fact that this provision was
abolished by the Act 8/2000 of 22 December 2000.

The Commission fully shares the opinion of
the Honourable Member on the needs to pursue a
comprehensive approach towards the phenomenon of migration. His remarks are perfectly in line with the
conclusions of the Tampere European Council of October 1999 which stressed that partnership with
countries of origin is the first element in the development of a common Union asylum and migration
policy.

The comprehensive approach to migration issues was also advocated in the action plans prepared by the
High Level Working Group on asylum and migration and that were adopted by the Council in October
1999. In line with the Tampere conclusions a policy is formulated that combines activities aimed at
reducing poverty, improving living conditions and job opportunities and the promotion of the respect of
human rights with measures in the area of freedom, security and justice.

The implementation of the Association Agreements with Tunisia and Morocco and the initialling of the
Agreement with Algeria for the achievement of a Free Trade Area in 2010 will provide opportunities for
sustainable economic growth of the Maghreb countries. The impact of the above agreements will be
further enhanced by the agricultural agreements with Tunisia and with Morocco (negotiations on-going).

In addition, the financial co-operation under the Meda budget line is assisting the Southern Mediterranean
countries to implement economic, social and political reforms. The Commission is fully aware that the
problem of migration can only be tackled successfully through enhanced socio-economic development and
prosperity in the partner countries. Meda financial co-operation is contributing to strengthen the
investments, to create employment and
competitiveness of partner countries’ economies and attract
growth and to improve living conditions of the population, especially in disadvantaged areas. Total Meda
funds committed for the three Maghreb countries Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia since 1995 amount to
EUR 1 765 million. This financial assistance is complemented by European Investment Bank (EIB) loans to
finance economic infrastructure, environmental
investments and the development of private sector
enterprises.

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The Association agreements also provide the framework to organise a comprehensive dialogue on
migration in which the socio-economic dimension, legal and illegal migration are considered. The dialogue
with Morocco has already started and a special joint working party on social affairs and migration has
started its work.

The three principal dimensions of migration are also reflected in the financial co-operation with Morocco
under the Meda programme. Roughly one third of the entire bilateral Meda assistance to Morocco has so
far been directly geared towards the development of the Northern provinces which are particularly hit by
widespread poverty and high migration flows.

Following the Union-Tunisia Association Council of 29 January 2002, it is to be expected that the bilateral
dialogue on migration between the Union and Tunisia would be started later this year.

The need for a comprehensive approach to migration is also reflected in the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership as it was established at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
held in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November 1995. Euro-Med partners agree that in order to be effective, a
political dialogue should address the respect for democratic principles and fundamental rights, economic
co-operation and social and cultural subjects in a comprehensive manner. In order to promote the policies
the Barcelona process, Euro-
in the area of
Mediterranean partners are working hard to establish a regional program which would also include
migration. In this program, expected to be adopted during the next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean
Ministers of Foreign Affairs that will be held in Valencia on 22 and 23 April, the comprehensive approach
is emphasised, one of its main objectives being to achieve sustainable development leading to long-term
stability and prosperity.

Justice and Home Affairs in the wider framework of

(2003/C 28 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0606/02

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

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Tuna steaks

On the basis of a study of the demand for tuna steak supplies which assessed the supply of tuna steaks to
the Community market in the short and medium term, the Commission decided to open an annual quota
of 4 000 tonnes at a 6 % preferential rate of duty for the period 2001 to 2003, within the COM in
fisheries and aquaculture products.

Can the Commission provide information on the country or countries of origin and the annual quantities
of tuna steak imported from those countries into the EU under this quota?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Within the framework of the management of tariff quotas, the Member States do not inform the
Commission of the countries of origin of tariff quotas open indistinctly to all third countries. Indeed, such
information is not necessary for the attribution of the quota.

As on 7 March 2002, the quantities imported with the benefit of the autonomous tariff quota for tuna
steaks in the periods in question were as follows:

(cid:1) 2001: 1 796 509 tonnes (last importation declared on 21 December 2001);

(cid:1) 2002: 442 347 tonnes (last importation declared on 26 February 2002).

Current information on the usage of tariff quotas is publicly available on the website and is updated every
day: http://europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/dds/es/home.htm.