WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885/03 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Application of the EU/Israel Association Agreement.
Date: 2003-09-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Israel, Palestine, association agreement (EU), customs duties, import, originating product

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/763

(2004/C 78 E/0811)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2885/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Application of the EU/Israel Association Agreement

(29 September 2003)

In recent years the European Commission has begun to apply a policy of imposing customs duties on
importers of goods which are known to have been produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied
territories of the West Bank. The Commission also imposes duties when it is suspected that goods have
been produced in the settlements.

The European Union has Free Trade Agreements with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority covering
the whole area of Israel and the occupied territories without regard to the nationality of the producer.
Does the Commission accept, therefore, that there should be no discrimination with regard to customs
duties on produce produced anywhere in the region regardless of the legal status of the settlements? Does
the Commission also accept that under the Oslo accords reached between Israel and the Palestinian
Authority that Israel is responsible for customs administration in all settlement areas, and, if so, does the
Commission believe that it is important for the EU to respect the Oslo accords even if it is not legally
bound to do so? Finally, what progress has been made under the terms of the dispute procedures that have
been activated to deal with this situation under Article 79 of the EU/Israel Association Agreement, and
which were put into place after a meeting of the Association Council in October, 2002?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2003)

The Union-Israel Association Agreement provides for the establishment of a free trade area between the
Union and Israel creating a favourable environment notably for the development of trade, investment and
economic co-operation. As regards the application of the rules of origin, the Union’s interpretation of the
Agreement is clear: products originating from the Israeli settlements (West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem
and the Golan Heights) are not entitled to benefit from preferential treatment.

As regards the reference made by the Honourable Member to the Oslo accords, these agreements do not
deal with the issue of preferential treatment of goods entering the Union since they regulate the bilateral
relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Following the ‘Notice to Importers’
issued by the Commission in November 2001 and the measures
adopted unilaterally by the Union, the ‘rules of origin’ issue has been discussed in the appropriate fora
(i.e. relevant Association Committees and Association Councils) where the Union reasserted its position
and the Israeli authorities expressed their willingness to explore appropriate technical measures in this
respect. This matter is still under discussion.

(2004/C 78 E/0812)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2900/03

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 October 2003)

Subject: Safeguarding jobs at the Alcatel plant in Rieti

The telecommunications sector is going through a period of recession. In order to tackle the unfavourable
situation the Alcatel group has decided on drastic job cuts. Apart from undermining the research sector
this policy also threatens to lead to the company’s activities being relocated to countries with low labour
costs.

If they go ahead, Alcatel’s restructuring plans will hit Alcatel’s factories in southern Italy, in particular the
ultramodern establishment in Rieti.