WRITTEN QUESTION E-3674/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Textile and clothing industry.
Date: 2003-12-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, Portugal, United States, clothing industry, common commercial policy, international trade, protective clause, textile industry, trade relations

C 88 E/474

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The Commission:

(cid:1) is it following this fresh upsurge of conflict in Côte d’Ivoire? What impact will a resumption of the

fighting have on political stability in that part of the world;

(cid:1) is it in contact with the two sides? What means is it using in order to try to bring pressure on them to

put an end to this situation, and to encourage them to reach agreement;

(cid:1) what steps has it taken or does it intend to take with regard to ensuring the safety of EU citizens

resident in Côte d’Ivoire?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2004)

The Commission is following closely the evolution of the political situation in Côte d’Ivoire, both from
headquarters and through its Delegation in Abidjan. At headquarters, in addition to a daily monitoring of
the situation, an ad hoc Task Force on Côte d’Ivoire headed by the Director for West and Central Africa,
meets regularly.
It is composed of representatives of all the concerned Directorates General of the
Commission. In Abidjan, a Political Adviser has recently been appointed at the Delegation, and the Head of
Delegation is one of the 13 members of the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis Agreement, which
meets at least once a week.

Through the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis Agreement, the Commission is in contact with the
two sides. Furthermore, President Prodi visited Abidjan on 13 November 2003: he met President Ggbabo,
Prime Minister Diarra and members of his government, the Monitoring Committee of the Marcoussis
Agreement and the ten political forces signatories of the Marcoussis Agreement. He stressed the necessity
to reach agreement between them solves and that the Union was willing to disburse its aid to the country,
but would do it only when peace is reached, which means that the disarmament process has to be
launched and the country has to be reunified. He urged the New Forces to come back to the Council of
Ministers and President Gbagbo and the government to fully implement the Marcoussis Agreement.

This matter remains within the competence of the Member States: the Commission does not have at its
disposal the logistic means to ensure the safety of the Union citizens in third countries.

(2004/C 88 E/0486)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3674/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 December 2003)

Subject: Textile and clothing industry

Protectionist measures have been adopted by the US against imports of various articles from China,
notably knitwear and brassieres, following complaints from professional organisations representing the US
textile industry.

Meanwhile,
in the EU 2002 saw a considerable increase in imports of Chinese textile and clothing
products, especially those which have been the object of liberalisation. The Portuguese Textile and Clothing
Association states that, by way of example, China’s market share of anoraks and tracksuits, which stood at
less than 20 % in 2001, rose in 2002 to over 50 %, leading to a fall in price levels of some 40 %.

The protectionist measures by the US could lead to a diversion of trade to Europe, bringing increased
pressure to bear on the EU market and endangering the industries of Member States such as Portugal, in
areas where the textile and clothing industry is the dominant economic activity.

8.4.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/475

Can the Commission state what action it is taking to monitor this situation and what measures it intends
to take for the protection of the industry, employment and regional development in those parts of Portugal
where these sectors are of vital importance, such as the Vale do Ave, the Vale do Câvado and the Beiras?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

The Commission is fully aware of the concerns expressed by the Honourable Member regarding the
Chinese export potential and the results already achieved in increasing the Chinese share in the EU market
place. The growth of Chinese exports in value has out-paced that of any other country. Its share of EU
imports has increased from 6,6 % to 11,5 % for textiles between 1994 and the first nine months of 2003,
from 13,8 % to 19,3 % in clothing, and from 11,4 % to 17,7 % in textiles and clothing over the same
period, China always being the largest EU supplier.

Apart from the general World Trade Organisation (WTO) safeguard provisions in force, which are
available to counter risk of market disruption, China is also subject to specific safeguard measures which
may be applied according to China’s protocol of accession to the WTO. Indeed, the United States (US) took
measures under the specific textiles safeguard, with effect from 24 December 2003, against Chinese
exports of three products, namely knitted fabric, dressing gowns and bathrobes, and bras. Obviously a risk
of diversion of trade may exist, but the US measures may only have limited effect, not only because there
is little US production of the goods concerned. Such measures will not imply a cutback on Chinese exports
to the US but rather a brake on their growth, which in itself will limit risks of trade diversion. As regards
impact on the EU, there does not appear to be a significant trade deflection risk for knitted fabrics or for
bras which are still subject to quotas for most of its types. The impact for dressing gowns may be higher
as there are no EU quotas, and although China is already the largest EU supplier, such EU imports have
already been growing considerably over the past years.

The Commission shares the view that it will be necessary to carefully monitor the impact of the US
measures, including the risk of diversion. However, the EU may ultimately also have recourse to trade
remedies, in conformity with the WTO agreements and the provisions of the China Protocol of Accession
to the WTO.

(2004/C 88 E/0487)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3851/03

by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Ratification of international conventions in the field of human rights

Will the Commission indicate the most recent state of play (broken down by country) as regards all 25
current and future Member States’ signature and ratification of all United Nations, Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development, Council of Europe and other international conventions in the
field of human rights, equality, protection of minorities and anti-discrimination?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(30 January 2004)

Within the United Nations there are several conventions on human rights, equality, protection of
minorities and non-discrimination.