WRITTEN QUESTION E-3851/03 by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission. Ratification of international conventions in the field of human rights.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, anti-discriminatory measure, human rights, international convention, protection of minorities, ratification of an agreement

8.4.2004

EN

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.

C 88 E/476

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

All 25 current and future Member States are party to the following core conventions in these fields:

(cid:1) the International covenant on civil and political rights;

(cid:1) the International covenant on economic, social and cultural rights;

(cid:1) the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment;

(cid:1) the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women;

(cid:1) the International convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination;

(cid:1) the Convention on the rights of the child;

(cid:1) the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees.

Within the Council of Europe, there are several conventions and protocols on human rights, equality,
protection of minorities and non-discrimination. The two most important conventions are the Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the European Convention for the
Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. All 25 current and future
Member States are parties to them.

The question also mentions the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). To the
Commission’s knowledge, there are no conventions on human rights, equality, protection of minorities and
non-discrimination within the framework of the OECD. Regarding the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, all 25 current and future members of the Union are participating States. As
such, they subscribe to political commitments of OSCE in the fields of human rights, equality, protection
of minorities and non-discrimination. The OSCE, as a political organisation, has no legally binding texts in
these fields.

(2004/C 88 E/0488)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3859/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Funding of small Tacis Programme projects

Having regard to the fact that the percentage share of funding allocated to small projects under the Tacis
programme increased by 15 % in 2002, could the Commission state how many small projects received
funding, and what amounts of money were involved? Was the successful outcome of the projects verified?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 2004)

The Commission understands that the Honourable Member is referring to the two principal types of ‘small
projects’ which exist under Tacis, namely the Tacis Cross-Border Co-operation (CBC) Programme Small
Project Facility and the Civil Society component of the Institution-Building Partnership Programme. With
reference to the Tacis Cross-Border Co-operation Programme Small Project Facility, an allocation of
EUR 6,7 million was made under the Tacis CBC Action Programme 2002. This resulted in a total number
of 32 small projects being recommended for funding and contracted. In addition, 12 micro projects (less
than EUR 50 000 each) were also contracted. The last evaluation round for the micro-project component
has recently been completed. The contracts for the micro-projects selected will be concluded in the coming
weeks.

As regards the Institution-Building Partnership Programme, the total amount allocated to the envelope for
Support to Civil Society and Local Initiatives under AP 2002 was EUR 11,7 million. A total of 62 projects
were recommended for funding and 61 were contracted by December 2003.

In both cases, the first projects began only recently, hence it is too early to assess the outcome at this
stage. Projects will be subject to monitoring and supervision by the Delegations.