natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
However, the current impasse in this plan for a FTA between Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt, which is attributable primarily to distance and to the limited trade among these countries, calls for determination and decisive measures to make a success of this integration process.
However, the current impasse in this plan for a FTA between Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt, which is attributable primarily to distance and to the limited trade among these countries, calls for determination and decisive measures to make a success of this integration process.
Moreover, the measures taken to date have not enabled the SEMCs either to diversify their exports or to specialise in high-added-value products, which contribute more in terms of growth and employment; these two factors are, after all, vital when it comes to enhancing their competitiveness and establishing them successfully on the world market.
Moreover, the measures taken to date have not enabled the SEMCs either to diversify their exports or to specialise in high-added-value products, which contribute more in terms of growth and employment; these two factors are, after all, vital when it comes to enhancing their competitiveness and establishing them successfully on the world market.
This is seen, in particular, in the textile sector, where the SEMCs, which previously benefited from their geographical proximity to the EU and from the Multifibre Arrangement, have been unable to cope with the increased competition, at very low prices, of countries such as China and India since textile quotas were abolished.
This is seen, in particular, in the textile sector, where the SEMCs, which previously benefited from their geographical proximity to the EU and from the Multifibre Arrangement, have been unable to cope with the increased competition, at very low prices, of countries such as China and India since textile quotas were abolished.
Similar developments can be seen in the agricultural sector, which has not modernised and diversified enough to cope with global competition.
Similar developments can be seen in the agricultural sector, which has not modernised and diversified enough to cope with global competition.
Finally, the lack of infrastructure, the limited size of markets, the complexity of bureaucratic rules and the lack of political stability in the region remain a disincentive to most investors and are a stumbling-block for the hoped-for expansion of FDI.
Finally, the lack of infrastructure, the limited size of markets, the complexity of bureaucratic rules and the lack of political stability in the region remain a disincentive to most investors and are a stumbling-block for the hoped-for expansion of FDI.
Proposals and prospects
Proposals and prospects
In this politically unstable and institutionally muddled context, the thinking about a FTA in this troubled part of the world calls, above all, for an essentially political approach.
In this politically unstable and institutionally muddled context, the thinking about a FTA in this troubled part of the world calls, above all, for an essentially political approach.
Consequently, we cannot focus exclusively on the trade aspects of Euro-Mediterranean relations, because we know that the three Barcelona pillars are closely connected and must necessarily move forward together in order to ensure the success of the integration process.
Consequently, we cannot focus exclusively on the trade aspects of Euro-Mediterranean relations, because we know that the three Barcelona pillars are closely connected and must necessarily move forward together in order to ensure the success of the integration process.
The goal of establishing a FTA must not mean forgetting that trade liberalisation is not an end in itself.
The goal of establishing a FTA must not mean forgetting that trade liberalisation is not an end in itself.
The FTA will be able to offer a genuine opportunity for growth for the SEMCs only if it is planned on a concerted, gradual basis in the context of a rational, predictable partnership.
The FTA will be able to offer a genuine opportunity for growth for the SEMCs only if it is planned on a concerted, gradual basis in the context of a rational, predictable partnership.
In this connection it has to be acknowledged that the delays, in some cases substantial, in implementing the economic and political reforms which are essential for the establishment of a genuine Euro-Mediterranean market mean that the date of 2010 for the FTA's entry into force has to be reconsidered.
In this connection it has to be acknowledged that the delays, in some cases substantial, in implementing the economic and political reforms which are essential for the establishment of a genuine Euro-Mediterranean market mean that the date of 2010 for the FTA's entry into force has to be reconsidered.
These countries' specific economic and social characteristics entitle them to protect their most vulnerable economic sectors, such as agriculture and infant industries, but also essential public services, including those meeting people's essential needs (health, education, water, energy, transport, culture, etc.), which must therefore be kept under public control.
These countries' specific economic and social characteristics entitle them to protect their most vulnerable economic sectors, such as agriculture and infant industries, but also essential public services, including those meeting people's essential needs (health, education, water, energy, transport, culture, etc.), which must therefore be kept under public control.
In order to ensure that trade does not expand at the expense of local people, it is also essential for non-commercial criteria to be taken into account.
In order to ensure that trade does not expand at the expense of local people, it is also essential for non-commercial criteria to be taken into account.
Consequently, close attention must be paid to the issues of acceptable work, the environment and the fight against poverty.
Consequently, close attention must be paid to the issues of acceptable work, the environment and the fight against poverty.
Programmes for improving the education system and integrating women into the world of work must also be set up.
Programmes for improving the education system and integrating women into the world of work must also be set up.
Euro-Mediterranean cooperation must be envisaged in the light of its contribution to development, including the achievement of the MDGs.
Euro-Mediterranean cooperation must be envisaged in the light of its contribution to development, including the achievement of the MDGs.
With this in mind, a specific action plan to combat absolute and relative poverty in the Mediterranean, i.e. a Mediterranean version of the MDGs, must be implemented.
With this in mind, a specific action plan to combat absolute and relative poverty in the Mediterranean, i.e. a Mediterranean version of the MDGs, must be implemented.
These considerations are all the more important because an appreciable reduction in the SEMCs' budgets would, above all, affect social policies (health, education, etc.), which are vital for the development of these countries.
These considerations are all the more important because an appreciable reduction in the SEMCs' budgets would, above all, affect social policies (health, education, etc.), which are vital for the development of these countries.
The negotiations will therefore have to take into account the need to adjust the speed and scale of the process of opening up markets by means of speedy economic integration of the SEMCs beforehand; this should include, in particular, the construction of regional infrastructure networks and Euro-Mediterranean transport networks.
The negotiations will therefore have to take into account the need to adjust the speed and scale of the process of opening up markets by means of speedy economic integration of the SEMCs beforehand; this should include, in particular, the construction of regional infrastructure networks and Euro-Mediterranean transport networks.
It is essential to proceed with this gradualist approach to the liberalisation process in line with the reforms being pursued, to respect the SEMCs' right to control their national strategies for economic and social development, to maintain an asymmetrical system based on trade preferences, to retain the instruments for managing supply and to support moves towards partnership and modernisation of the structures for industrial and agricultural production.
It is essential to proceed with this gradualist approach to the liberalisation process in line with the reforms being pursued, to respect the SEMCs' right to control their national strategies for economic and social development, to maintain an asymmetrical system based on trade preferences, to retain the instruments for managing supply and to support moves towards partnership and modernisation of the structures for industrial and agricultural production.
With this in mind, we need to give thought to a form of integrated agricultural policy for the Mediterranean.
With this in mind, we need to give thought to a form of integrated agricultural policy for the Mediterranean.
The results of the sustainability impact assessment of the FTA commissioned from Manchester University by the Commission, which reproduces the points set out above, must be used to redirect the current negotiating process.
The results of the sustainability impact assessment of the FTA commissioned from Manchester University by the Commission, which reproduces the points set out above, must be used to redirect the current negotiating process.
Appropriate backing for the SEMCs in this reform process must also be provided in the form of suitable technical and financial support.
Appropriate backing for the SEMCs in this reform process must also be provided in the form of suitable technical and financial support.
In addition, the implementation of the ENPI, the financial instrument which will replace the MEDA programmes in 2007, will have to be monitored closely, especially with regard to the breakdown of financial aid between neighbours to the East and those to the South.
In addition, the implementation of the ENPI, the financial instrument which will replace the MEDA programmes in 2007, will have to be monitored closely, especially with regard to the breakdown of financial aid between neighbours to the East and those to the South.
The cooperation between the ENPI and the FEMIP will also need to be stepped up, so as to make EU measures more effective.
The cooperation between the ENPI and the FEMIP will also need to be stepped up, so as to make EU measures more effective.
The transformation of the FEMIP into a genuine Euro-Mediterranean investment and development bank would be in tune with this, and must be encouraged.
The transformation of the FEMIP into a genuine Euro-Mediterranean investment and development bank would be in tune with this, and must be encouraged.
It would also make it possible to improve the region's institutional framework.
It would also make it possible to improve the region's institutional framework.
In another sphere, although the conditions for this are not yet in place, in the long term the FTA should be complemented by free movement for workers.
In another sphere, although the conditions for this are not yet in place, in the long term the FTA should be complemented by free movement for workers.
There is thus an urgent need to establish the legal and administrative procedures likely to facilitate the granting of visas, in particular.
There is thus an urgent need to establish the legal and administrative procedures likely to facilitate the granting of visas, in particular.
Concluding remarks
Concluding remarks
A revival of political determination among all the partners and the re-establishment of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation as one of the EU's priorities are crucial for the relaunch and success of the Barcelona Process and for a mutually beneficial FTA which will help to reduce the development gap between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
A revival of political determination among all the partners and the re-establishment of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation as one of the EU's priorities are crucial for the relaunch and success of the Barcelona Process and for a mutually beneficial FTA which will help to reduce the development gap between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
Increased regional integration, which is the only way to combat this region's political and economic fragmentation, is therefore an essential precursor of the creation of the FTA.
Increased regional integration, which is the only way to combat this region's political and economic fragmentation, is therefore an essential precursor of the creation of the FTA.
It must be flanked by an improved institutional framework for the region and by EU financial support which is commensurate with the ambitious goals of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
It must be flanked by an improved institutional framework for the region and by EU financial support which is commensurate with the ambitious goals of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
It is therefore worrying that the objectives of the ENP, unlike those of Barcelona, are unclear.
It is therefore worrying that the objectives of the ENP, unlike those of Barcelona, are unclear.
For instance, the aim of 'gradual participation in the single market', without the prospect of accession and excluding free movement for workers, cries out for clarification, as does the articulation between the Barcelona Process and the ENP, so as to allay the SEMCs' legitimate concerns.
For instance, the aim of 'gradual participation in the single market', without the prospect of accession and excluding free movement for workers, cries out for clarification, as does the articulation between the Barcelona Process and the ENP, so as to allay the SEMCs' legitimate concerns.
Given the prospect of the creation of a FTA, which would be precipitate if it came into force in 2010, the aim of trade serving development must remain the guiding light of the negotiations.
Given the prospect of the creation of a FTA, which would be precipitate if it came into force in 2010, the aim of trade serving development must remain the guiding light of the negotiations.
The vulnerability of some economic sectors in the SEMCs must be taken into account at each stage of the process of trade liberalisation, which must not take place at the expense of people's well-being.
The vulnerability of some economic sectors in the SEMCs must be taken into account at each stage of the process of trade liberalisation, which must not take place at the expense of people's well-being.
Without this, the FTA is likely to become a symbol of Euro-Mediterranean misunderstanding.
Without this, the FTA is likely to become a symbol of Euro-Mediterranean misunderstanding.
The lack of a clear definition of the EU's Mediterranean policy and of a long-term strategic vision for the region's development and stabilisation is unquestionably the main stumbling-block for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, and the primary source of the impasse affecting it.
The lack of a clear definition of the EU's Mediterranean policy and of a long-term strategic vision for the region's development and stabilisation is unquestionably the main stumbling-block for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, and the primary source of the impasse affecting it.
Our goal must be to respond to this shortcoming, and this must drive our future actions.
Our goal must be to respond to this shortcoming, and this must drive our future actions.
OPINION of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
OPINION of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
for the Committee on International Trade
for the Committee on International Trade
on the construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone
on the construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on Foreign Affairs calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
Points out that the creation of an economic and commercial free trade zone in the Mediterranean cannot be dissociated from political efforts aimed at ensuring peace, democratisation, respect for human rights, gender equality and the promotion of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, and a sustained effort to ensure that the political dialogue and trust between the partners plays a genuine role in establishing democracy in the region;
Points out that the creation of an economic and commercial free trade zone in the Mediterranean cannot be dissociated from political efforts aimed at ensuring peace, democratisation, respect for human rights, gender equality and the promotion of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, and a sustained effort to ensure that the political dialogue and trust between the partners plays a genuine role in establishing democracy in the region;
Points out the urgent need to work towards lasting security and stability in the region, including the acceptance by all of Lebanon's full sovereignty, and also of the peaceful coexistence of the State of Israel and the Palestinian State; in this context, notes the damage caused in the region by the war in the Middle East in the summer of 2006; calls for a formal undertaking from the EU, in the context of the peace process currently under way, to grant adequate financial support for the economic and social reconstruction of the countries in the region; urges the Commission to insist on compliance with the clauses relating to the Barcelona Process, in particular the human rights clause included in the Association Agreements and the various action plans, in order to achieve a true area of freedom and security in the region;
Points out the urgent need to work towards lasting security and stability in the region, including the acceptance by all of Lebanon's full sovereignty, and also of the peaceful coexistence of the State of Israel and the Palestinian State; in this context, notes the damage caused in the region by the war in the Middle East in the summer of 2006; calls for a formal undertaking from the EU, in the context of the peace process currently under way, to grant adequate financial support for the economic and social reconstruction of the countries in the region; urges the Commission to insist on compliance with the clauses relating to the Barcelona Process, in particular the human rights clause included in the Association Agreements and the various action plans, in order to achieve a true area of freedom and security in the region;
Stresses that the free trade area was the first step in establishing the European Union, which has been essential for maintaining peace in Europe for over 60 years, after centuries of wars, and that it is logical to expect the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area to be the first step towards the cessation of war and terrorism in the Middle East;
Stresses that the free trade area was the first step in establishing the European Union, which has been essential for maintaining peace in Europe for over 60 years, after centuries of wars, and that it is logical to expect the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area to be the first step towards the cessation of war and terrorism in the Middle East;
Believes that, bearing in mind, in particular, the recent steps taken under the European neighbourhood policy and also the new presence of China in Africa, the objective of EU foreign policy in the Mediterranean is to support and encourage political, democratic and socioeconomic reforms in the partner countries so as to create together an area of shared prosperity;
Believes that, bearing in mind, in particular, the recent steps taken under the European neighbourhood policy and also the new presence of China in Africa, the objective of EU foreign policy in the Mediterranean is to support and encourage political, democratic and socioeconomic reforms in the partner countries so as to create together an area of shared prosperity;
Is convinced, in this connection, that more than ever there is a need to transform FEMIP into a genuine autonomous Euro-Mediterranean subsidiary of the EIB, because only in this form will it be capable of responding, continuously and consistently, to the increasing demand for loans and financing from the partner countries; this should be done in the spirit of a Marshall Plan for the region, including activities linked to reconstruction;
Is convinced, in this connection, that more than ever there is a need to transform FEMIP into a genuine autonomous Euro-Mediterranean subsidiary of the EIB, because only in this form will it be capable of responding, continuously and consistently, to the increasing demand for loans and financing from the partner countries; this should be done in the spirit of a Marshall Plan for the region, including activities linked to reconstruction;
Reaffirms its support for countries which are a source of migration, and believes that there is a need for a concerted policy to combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings, so as to put a stop to all migratory flows linked to organised crime; stresses the need for the strengthening of Frontex, which can constitute the framework of solidarity and cooperation for combating illegal immigration in the Mediterranean; stresses, in particular, the substantial impact of economic difficulties on migration, and emphasises the urgent need to work together with all our Mediterranean partner countries (especially those in North Africa) on a genuine cross-border policy on immigration.
Reaffirms its support for countries which are a source of migration, and believes that there is a need for a concerted policy to combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings, so as to put a stop to all migratory flows linked to organised crime; stresses the need for the strengthening of Frontex, which can constitute the framework of solidarity and cooperation for combating illegal immigration in the Mediterranean; stresses, in particular, the substantial impact of economic difficulties on migration, and emphasises the urgent need to work together with all our Mediterranean partner countries (especially those in North Africa) on a genuine cross-border policy on immigration.
Construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone
Construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone
Draftsman Date appointed
Draftsman Date appointed
Angelika Beer, Panagiotis Beglitis, Elmar Brok, Véronique De Keyser, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, Camiel Eurlings, Bronisław Geremek, Klaus Hänsch, Helmut Kuhne, Vytautas Landsbergis, Francisco José Millán Mon, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Alojz Peterle, Libor Rouček, György Schöpflin, Gitte Seeberg, Marek Siwiec, István Szent-Iványi, Antonio Tajani, Charles Tannock, Luis Yañez-Barnuevo García, Josef Zieleniec
Angelika Beer, Panagiotis Beglitis, Elmar Brok, Véronique De Keyser, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, Camiel Eurlings, Bronisław Geremek, Klaus Hänsch, Helmut Kuhne, Vytautas Landsbergis, Francisco José Millán Mon, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Alojz Peterle, Libor Rouček, György Schöpflin, Gitte Seeberg, Marek Siwiec, István Szent-Iványi, Antonio Tajani, Charles Tannock, Luis Yañez-Barnuevo García, Josef Zieleniec
Alexandra Dobolyi, Árpád Duka-Zólyomi, Tunne Kelam, Jaromír Kohlíček, Alexander Lambsdorff, Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez, Miguel Portas, Aloyzas Sakalas
Alexandra Dobolyi, Árpád Duka-Zólyomi, Tunne Kelam, Jaromír Kohlíček, Alexander Lambsdorff, Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez, Miguel Portas, Aloyzas Sakalas
OPINION of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
OPINION of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development