WRITTEN QUESTION E-1368/02 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Consideration of the shortcomings of the Everything But Arms initiative.
Date: 2002-05-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU initiative, development policy, least-developed country, liberalisation of the market, quantitative restriction, tariff exemption, trade policy

C 52 E/62

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), has passed legislation in
December 2001 which prohibits the issue of new bearer pass books and which provides for existing bearer
pass books to be converted into named savings accounts upon the first presentation of the pass book at a
banking institution. There is a good chance that the FATF will de-list Hungary at its next meeting in June
2002.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(2003/C 52 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1362/02

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: FATF meeting held in New Zealand on 19/20 November 2001

Why did the Commission not attend the eighth meeting of the Financial Action Task Force on Money
Laundering Typologies, which was held on 19/20 November 2001 in Wellington, New Zealand, although
it is a member of the FATF?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 2002)

The Commission attaches great importance to its membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
and endeavours to take an active part in all FATF meetings. At the same time resource constraints and
pressure of work very occasionally prevent the Commission from participating at certain meetings.

Such was the case for the meeting in New Zealand in November 2001.

The annual FATF typologies exercise brings together mainly experts from the law enforcement and
regulatory authorities of the member countries. It serves as a forum for the exchange of experience and
expertise between the authorities concerned with the day-to-day practice of anti-money laundering efforts.

The Commission does not have specific money laundering cases on which to report. It nevertheless
remains very interested in the topics covered and the trends reported by FATF members. As an FATF
member it has access to and has studied all the detailed documentation produced prior to the meeting.

The final typologies report itself is now a public document and is available on the FATF website at
http://www.fatf-gafi.org.

(2003/C 52 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1368/02

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 May 2002)

Subject: Consideration of the shortcomings of the ‘Everything But Arms’ initiative

An Oxfam International report claims that the EU is one of the industrialised economies operating the
highest barriers (cid:1) this despite the Commission’s recent ‘Everything But Arms’ initiative, which offers the
least developed countries comprehensive market access on a duty-free and quota-free basis.

Does the Commission intend to examine the actual shortcomings of this initiative, with a view to making
access to the EU market a reality for the least developed countries and thus allowing them to reap the full
benefits of trade?

6.3.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 52 E/63

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2002)

The Union has provided quota and tariff free access for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) under the
‘Everything But Arms’
it is
difficult to see how it can be further improved upon. The Commission does not therefore intend to re-
examine this scheme.

initiative. As this constitutes complete access to the Community market,

The Commission does acknowledge that there are other issues that must be tackled so that the Least
Developed Countries can take full advantage of this market access. Lack of trading capacity is one
bottleneck which needs to be overcome, which is why the Commission is focusing on stepping up its
efforts in the area of trade-related technical assistance. Lack of supply capacity is another serious obstacle
preventing many LDCs from benefiting from market access. The Commission seeks to address this issue
through the systematic integration or ‘mainstreaming’ of trade aspects into its development co-operation
and through support to developing countries’ own efforts to do likewise as regards the integration of trade
in their development strategies and polices.

Having said that, the Commission would encourage and invite all developed countries that have not done
so to mirror this initiative in order to strengthen and reinforce the prospects for the LDCs to benefit from
increased market access.

(2003/C 52 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1371/02

by Sergio Berlato (UEN), Cristiana Muscardini (UEN),
Roberta Angelilli (UEN), Roberto Bigliardo (UEN), Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN),
Antonio Mussa (UEN), Mauro Nobilia (UEN), Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN)
and Franz Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: State of crisis in the European acquaculture sector

(14 May 2002)

Greek production of sea bass and gilthead seabream is continuing to cause serious damage to the whole
European industry, owing to both the Greek industry itself and inadequate supervision on the part of the
Commission and the Greek Government.

The four most important producer countries (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain) have asked the Commission
to consider the issue again in greater detail, in order to ensure just and fair competition among all the
Member States, since Greek producers have for some time been selling the product well below the cost
price.

Can the Commission take urgent action to ensure that the Greek Government complies and ensures
compliance with current legislation?

Can it introduce a strict monitoring system to ensure that public subsidies in Greece are used exclusively
for their original purpose?

Does it intend to draft a new Green Paper setting out a more realistic approach to the development of
acquaculture in Europe over the next ten years, by laying down parameters to encourage progressive but
healthy development?

What steps will it take to put a stop to a situation which is becoming more and more serious and alarming
for the whole European acquaculture industry?