WRITTEN QUESTION P-2928/02 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission. Temporary support for Dutch shipbuilding.
Date: 2002-10-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, State aid, aid for restructuring, aid to undertakings, common commercial policy, intervention policy, shipbuilding

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/65

Reply

(3 March 2003)

The Council does not believe that actions like the recent siege of President Arafat’s headquarters by the
the Council welcomed (on
Israeli army can help to solve the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Therefore,
30 September 2002) the adoption of UNSCR 1435 and urged both parties to show maximum restraint
and to comply fully with this resolution. Noting that Israeli forces had begun to withdraw from the
compound of the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Council reiterated that restricting freedom of
movement of the Palestinians and their leadership and destroying their infrastructure does not contribute
to fighting terror, or to solve Israel’s legitimate security concerns. More than ever, Israelis and Palestinians
must return to the negotiating table. The Council will continue to work towards this goal, in particular
through the Quartet.

(2003/C 155 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2928/02

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Temporary support for Dutch shipbuilding

(10 October 2002)

It was reported in Dagblad van het Noorden on 5 October 2002 that ‘Between 60 and 80 jobs are to be
lost at Centraalstaal in Groningen. This amply demonstrates the plight of northern shipbuilding. Since the
beginning of this year, at least 400 jobs have already been lost in this sector, where 7 000 people are
employed. The latest restructuring is taking place at Centraalstaal, which produces prefabricated steel and
aluminium plating for ships’.

The Netherlands Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr Heinsbroek, has so far refused to adopt any temporary
support measures, although the industry in question is suffering badly and European and national
protection are badly needed. Will the Commission as a matter of urgency draw the Minister’s attention to
the fact that it was agreed within the EU earlier this year (cid:1) with the full support of the European
Parliament (cid:1) that Member States could adopt temporary support measures against unfair competition
from Korea (among other countries).

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1177/2002 of 27 June 2002 concerning a temporary defensive mechanism to
shipbuilding (1) (‘the TDM’) is one part of the Commission’s twin-track strategy against unfair Korean
practices in the shipbuilding sector.

Under the terms of Article 2 of the TDM, aid may only be authorised for final contracts signed after notice
is given in the Official Journal that dispute settlement proceedings against Korea have been initiated.

The Notice indicating that the Commission had launched the WTO action against Korea was published in
the Official Journal on 24 October 2002 (2). Accordingly, aid may now be authorised in line with the
provisions of the TDM.

The Dutch Government participated fully in the negotiation of the TDM and is fully aware of its content.
The Commission would emphasise that the question of whether or not aid is to be granted under the TDM
is a matter for the appropriate authorities of the Member States. It is not the Commission’s role to
encourage Member States to grant aid, but to ensure that any aid granted is in line with the TDM’s
provisions.

(1) OJ L 172, 2.7.2002.
(2) OJ C 257, 24.10.2002