natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The aim of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which was launched in Barcelona in 1995, is to establish an area of peace and stability, contribute to better mutual understanding between the peoples of the region and construct an area of shared prosperity through increased cooperation and regulated liberalisation of trade within the Mediterranean region.
The aim of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which was launched in Barcelona in 1995, is to establish an area of peace and stability, contribute to better mutual understanding between the peoples of the region and construct an area of shared prosperity through increased cooperation and regulated liberalisation of trade within the Mediterranean region.
Ten years later, the plan to establish a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010, limited initially to the manufacturing sector, was extended to include the agriculture sector.
Ten years later, the plan to establish a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010, limited initially to the manufacturing sector, was extended to include the agriculture sector.
Subsequently, in negotiations launched between the EU and the SEMC, discussions have mainly focused on the method and pace of this process.
Subsequently, in negotiations launched between the EU and the SEMC, discussions have mainly focused on the method and pace of this process.
Issues and limits of a sudden opening-up of the markets
Issues and limits of a sudden opening-up of the markets
For the SEMC
For the SEMC
In a context of demographic explosion, the issue of food security calls for an urgent solution to be found to the problem of agricultural productivity, and also links in with being able to procure commodities at low cost.
In a context of demographic explosion, the issue of food security calls for an urgent solution to be found to the problem of agricultural productivity, and also links in with being able to procure commodities at low cost.
Many view the opening-up of markets as an appropriate way to address this twin prospect, through speeding up the provisioning of the SEMC on the world market, encouraging the modernisation of their production systems and enabling them to capitalise on their comparative advantages in respect of a number of products (e.g.: fruit and vegetables).
Many view the opening-up of markets as an appropriate way to address this twin prospect, through speeding up the provisioning of the SEMC on the world market, encouraging the modernisation of their production systems and enabling them to capitalise on their comparative advantages in respect of a number of products (e.g.: fruit and vegetables).
However, this economic approach is at odds with the social and environmental aspects of the issue.
However, this economic approach is at odds with the social and environmental aspects of the issue.
In social terms, it has become clear that a sudden opening-up of the markets is sure to threaten that little bit more the survival of family-run farms, which have particularly low productivity levels and make up the overwhelming majority of the agriculture sector in the SEMC.
In social terms, it has become clear that a sudden opening-up of the markets is sure to threaten that little bit more the survival of family-run farms, which have particularly low productivity levels and make up the overwhelming majority of the agriculture sector in the SEMC.
In environmental terms, the disintegration of this family farm fabric would trigger serious regional imbalances by exacerbating an already-devastating rural exodus towards overpopulated large urban centres and, more broadly, towards the coast.
In environmental terms, the disintegration of this family farm fabric would trigger serious regional imbalances by exacerbating an already-devastating rural exodus towards overpopulated large urban centres and, more broadly, towards the coast.
This is because integration into the world market encourages increasingly intensive methods of production that are oriented towards cash crops and do not necessarily fit agricultural rationale in the country concerned; it would lead to non-rational use of water, whose crucial and strategic role is already a source of tension, and to the abandonment of traditional food crops, which are not only essential for feeding local communities but also still in tune with the nature and potentials of the land in the SEMC.
This is because integration into the world market encourages increasingly intensive methods of production that are oriented towards cash crops and do not necessarily fit agricultural rationale in the country concerned; it would lead to non-rational use of water, whose crucial and strategic role is already a source of tension, and to the abandonment of traditional food crops, which are not only essential for feeding local communities but also still in tune with the nature and potentials of the land in the SEMC.
For the European Union
For the European Union
While the opening-up of markets offers genuine export possibilities for European producers, not least as regards a number of products for which there is a production deficit in the SEMC (milk and sugar, etc.), the traditional arguments in favour of regulating trade are still common currency, given wage levels in the SEMC, the absence of any environmental contributions in those countries and, more generally, the absence of harmonised standards between European and the SEMC.
While the opening-up of markets offers genuine export possibilities for European producers, not least as regards a number of products for which there is a production deficit in the SEMC (milk and sugar, etc.), the traditional arguments in favour of regulating trade are still common currency, given wage levels in the SEMC, the absence of any environmental contributions in those countries and, more generally, the absence of harmonised standards between European and the SEMC.
The issue of the competition generated by these circumstances assumes even greater importance in that it often concerns the same types of production (particularly fruit and vegetables) on either side of the Mediterranean.
The issue of the competition generated by these circumstances assumes even greater importance in that it often concerns the same types of production (particularly fruit and vegetables) on either side of the Mediterranean.
Even so, if the European Union were to remain outside the process of the entry of the SEMC into world trade, other trading powers are sure to step into the breach in the form of large-scale private investment, the outcome of which is liable to be even more prejudicial to the Mediterranean EU Member States: trade competition from the SEMC without any benefits in exchange; hitting of WTO buffers in the field of trade policy, etc.
Even so, if the European Union were to remain outside the process of the entry of the SEMC into world trade, other trading powers are sure to step into the breach in the form of large-scale private investment, the outcome of which is liable to be even more prejudicial to the Mediterranean EU Member States: trade competition from the SEMC without any benefits in exchange; hitting of WTO buffers in the field of trade policy, etc.
Prospects for an efficient economic partnership
Prospects for an efficient economic partnership
It is therefore essential – both for the SEMC and for the European Union – to swiftly reopen discussions on implementing a genuine partnership based on a gradual and controlled opening-up of the markets that suits the social and economic realities of the Mediterranean basin.
It is therefore essential – both for the SEMC and for the European Union – to swiftly reopen discussions on implementing a genuine partnership based on a gradual and controlled opening-up of the markets that suits the social and economic realities of the Mediterranean basin.
With this in mind, your rapporteur would make four main suggestions for achieving the desired objectives:
With this in mind, your rapporteur would make four main suggestions for achieving the desired objectives:
1 - Adjust the rhythm and intensity of the process of the opening-up of agricultural markets .
1 - Adjust the rhythm and intensity of the process of the opening-up of agricultural markets .
This means providing support for the rapid prior economic integration of the SEMC; gradual liberalisation based on the agricultural and rural reforms and policies pursued on either side of the Mediterranean; maintaining an asymmetric system based on trade preferences and continued use of supply-side management tools.
This means providing support for the rapid prior economic integration of the SEMC; gradual liberalisation based on the agricultural and rural reforms and policies pursued on either side of the Mediterranean; maintaining an asymmetric system based on trade preferences and continued use of supply-side management tools.
2 - Develop closer partnerships and twinnings in order to support reform of the administrative environment and thereby bolster investment; heighten cooperation between professional organisations in the Mediterranean in complementary sectors; promote the development of a system of registered designations of origin.
2 - Develop closer partnerships and twinnings in order to support reform of the administrative environment and thereby bolster investment; heighten cooperation between professional organisations in the Mediterranean in complementary sectors; promote the development of a system of registered designations of origin.
3 - Focus on rural development in order to help develop in the SEMC multifunctional agriculture which is environment- and natural resource-friendly, and which will allow high-quality foodstuffs to be produced while also contributing to balanced regional development.
3 - Focus on rural development in order to help develop in the SEMC multifunctional agriculture which is environment- and natural resource-friendly, and which will allow high-quality foodstuffs to be produced while also contributing to balanced regional development.
More generally, shared realisation of the importance of rural development issues should enable a set of common values to be established and production standards to be harmonised on both sides of the Mediterranean.
More generally, shared realisation of the importance of rural development issues should enable a set of common values to be established and production standards to be harmonised on both sides of the Mediterranean.
4 - Flanking measures .
4 - Flanking measures .
The European Union must harness the financial instruments at its disposal (and especially the future European neighbourhood instrument), not least to support the modernisation of SEMC production structures and sectoral partnership approaches.
The European Union must harness the financial instruments at its disposal (and especially the future European neighbourhood instrument), not least to support the modernisation of SEMC production structures and sectoral partnership approaches.
Your rapporteur also advocates the European Union pressing institutionally and financially for the introduction of a system for weighting aid towards small family farms in the SEMC, which will be the ones most exposed to competition in the agricultural sphere.
Your rapporteur also advocates the European Union pressing institutionally and financially for the introduction of a system for weighting aid towards small family farms in the SEMC, which will be the ones most exposed to competition in the agricultural sphere.
Opinion by
Opinion by
Date announced in plenary
Date announced in plenary
AGRI 6.7.2006
AGRI 6.7.2006
Date appointed
Date appointed
Jean-Claude Fruteau 21.6.2006
Jean-Claude Fruteau 21.6.2006
Considered in committee
Considered in committee
Vincenzo Aita, Thijs Berman, Giuseppe Castiglione, Joseph Daul, Albert Deß, Gintaras Didžiokas, Michl Ebner, Carmen Fraga Estévez, Jean-Claude Fruteau, Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf, Ioannis Gklavakis, Lutz Goepel, Bogdan Golik, Esther Herranz García, Heinz Kindermann, Albert Jan Maat, Diamanto Manolakou, Mairead McGuinness, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, María Isabel Salinas García, Brian Simpson, Kyösti Virrankoski, Andrzej Tomasz Zapałowski
Vincenzo Aita, Thijs Berman, Giuseppe Castiglione, Joseph Daul, Albert Deß, Gintaras Didžiokas, Michl Ebner, Carmen Fraga Estévez, Jean-Claude Fruteau, Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf, Ioannis Gklavakis, Lutz Goepel, Bogdan Golik, Esther Herranz García, Heinz Kindermann, Albert Jan Maat, Diamanto Manolakou, Mairead McGuinness, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, María Isabel Salinas García, Brian Simpson, Kyösti Virrankoski, Andrzej Tomasz Zapałowski
Pilar Ayuso, Bernadette Bourzai, Ilda Figueiredo, Wiesław Stefan Kuc, Jan Mulder
Pilar Ayuso, Bernadette Bourzai, Ilda Figueiredo, Wiesław Stefan Kuc, Jan Mulder
Construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free-trade zone
Construction of the Euro-Mediterranean free-trade zone
INTA 6.7.2006
INTA 6.7.2006
AFET 6.7.2006
AFET 6.7.2006
Kader Arif 23.11.2005
Kader Arif 23.11.2005
Kader Arif, Jean-Pierre Audy, Enrique Barón Crespo, Daniel Caspary, Françoise Castex, Christofer Fjellner, Béla Glattfelder, Alain Lipietz, Caroline Lucas, Erika Mann, Helmuth Markov, David Martin, Georgios Papastamkos, Tokia Saïfi, Robert Sturdy, Gianluca Susta, Johan Van Hecke, Zbigniew Zaleski
Kader Arif, Jean-Pierre Audy, Enrique Barón Crespo, Daniel Caspary, Françoise Castex, Christofer Fjellner, Béla Glattfelder, Alain Lipietz, Caroline Lucas, Erika Mann, Helmuth Markov, David Martin, Georgios Papastamkos, Tokia Saïfi, Robert Sturdy, Gianluca Susta, Johan Van Hecke, Zbigniew Zaleski
Panagiotis Beglitis, Harlem Désir, Elisa Ferreira, Małgorzata Handzlik, Jens Holm, Jörg Leichtfried
Panagiotis Beglitis, Harlem Désir, Elisa Ferreira, Małgorzata Handzlik, Jens Holm, Jörg Leichtfried
относно предложението за решение на Съвета относно сключването на споразумение, изменящо Споразумението за партньорство между държавите от Африка, Карибите и Тихоокеанския басейн, от една страна, и Европейската общност и нейните държави-членки, от друга страна, подписано в Котону на 23 юни 2000 г.
on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the conclusion of the Agreement amending the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000
PE 362.631v03-00
PE 362.631v03-00
ИЗЛОЖЕНИЕ НА МОТИВИТЕ……………………………………………………………..6
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT................................................................................................6
СТАНОВИЩЕ НА КОМИСИЯТА ПО ВЪНШНИ РАБОТИ…………………………….12
OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS.................................................12
(Процедура на одобрение)
(Assent procedure)
– като взе предвид проекторешението на Съвета (6987/2006)
– having regard to the draft Council decision (6987/2006)
– като взе предвид проектоспоразумението, изменящо Споразумението за партньорство между държавите от Африка, Карибите и Тихоокеанския басейн, от една страна, и Европейската общност и нейните държави-членки, от друга страна, подписано в Котону на 23 юни 2000 г.,
– having regard to the draft agreement amending the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000,
– като взе предвид искането за одобрение, представено от Съвета съгласно член 300, параграф 3, алинея втора, във връзка с член 310 от Договора за ЕО ( C6‑0124/2006 ),
– having regard to the request for assent submitted by the Council pursuant to Article 300(3), second subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 310 of the EC Treaty ( C6‑0124/2006 ),
– като взе предвид член 75 и член 83, параграф 7 от своя правилник,
– having regard to Rules 75 and 83(7) of its Rules of Procedure,
– като взе предвид препоръката на комисията по развитие и становището на Комисията по външни работи( A6‑0469/2006 ),
– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Development and the opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs ( A6‑0469/2006 ),
2. възлага на своя председател да предаде позицията на Парламента на Съвета и Комисията, както и на правителствата и парламентите на държавите-членки на АКТБ.
Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
Negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou Agreement were concluded under the joint presidency of Luxembourg and Cape Verde on 23 February 2005 in Brussels, and the treaty amending it formally signed in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005.
Negotiations on the revision of the Cotonou Agreement were concluded under the joint presidency of Luxembourg and Cape Verde on 23 February 2005 in Brussels, and the treaty amending it formally signed in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005.
This was the first of the five-yearly revisions provided for under Article 95 of the Cotonou Agreement, which was concluded for a 20-year period commencing in March 2000 and ending in February 2020.
This was the first of the five-yearly revisions provided for under Article 95 of the Cotonou Agreement, which was concluded for a 20-year period commencing in March 2000 and ending in February 2020.
The revision is fully contiguous and in line with the Lomé-Cotonou acquis while making several changes that are political in nature or aimed at enhancing effectiveness.
The revision is fully contiguous and in line with the Lomé-Cotonou acquis while making several changes that are political in nature or aimed at enhancing effectiveness.
Parliament is invited, pursuant to Article 300 TEC, to assess the agreement under the assent procedure and also to adopt a position, in the form of a resolution, on recommendations for its implementation.
Parliament is invited, pursuant to Article 300 TEC, to assess the agreement under the assent procedure and also to adopt a position, in the form of a resolution, on recommendations for its implementation.
However, the Agreement as it stands presents a problem in that it does not contain an agreement on financing.
However, the Agreement as it stands presents a problem in that it does not contain an agreement on financing.
The Lomé-Cotonou acquis
The Lomé-Cotonou acquis
This amended text takes over the whole of the Lomé and Cotonou acquis.
This amended text takes over the whole of the Lomé and Cotonou acquis.
The Lomé Convention was signed in 1975 by 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and by the 9 Member States of the European Union.
The Lomé Convention was signed in 1975 by 46 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and by the 9 Member States of the European Union.
The European Union has gradually enlarged to 25 members (soon to be 27) while the number of partner ACP States has risen from 46 to 78.
The European Union has gradually enlarged to 25 members (soon to be 27) while the number of partner ACP States has risen from 46 to 78.
Cooperation is based on a partnership that acknowledges both parties signatory to be equals, as is testified by the joint nature of its institutions.
Cooperation is based on a partnership that acknowledges both parties signatory to be equals, as is testified by the joint nature of its institutions.
From the outset, the aim was to achieve a global and cohesive strategy, with programmability, a non-reciprocal trade system - with protocols per product group - and mechanisms for stabilising export earnings on primary products.
From the outset, the aim was to achieve a global and cohesive strategy, with programmability, a non-reciprocal trade system - with protocols per product group - and mechanisms for stabilising export earnings on primary products.
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the upheavals that followed, the reference appeared in the Lomé IV Convention to respect for human rights.
Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the upheavals that followed, the reference appeared in the Lomé IV Convention to respect for human rights.
The Cotonou Agreement consolidated and reinforced this trend and established five interdependent pillars: an enhanced political dimension, increased participation, a more strategic approach to cooperation, centred on poverty reduction, the negotiation and conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and an improvement in financial cooperation.
The Cotonou Agreement consolidated and reinforced this trend and established five interdependent pillars: an enhanced political dimension, increased participation, a more strategic approach to cooperation, centred on poverty reduction, the negotiation and conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and an improvement in financial cooperation.
The European Parliament gave its assent to the Cotonou Agreement on 17 January 2002.
The European Parliament gave its assent to the Cotonou Agreement on 17 January 2002.
The Cotonou Agreement is an exemplary agreement, not only because it governs all facets of the EU's relations with the countries concerned, but also because it concerns some 750 million people worldwide.
The Cotonou Agreement is an exemplary agreement, not only because it governs all facets of the EU's relations with the countries concerned, but also because it concerns some 750 million people worldwide.
Amendments under the first five-yearly revision of the Cotonou Agreement
Amendments under the first five-yearly revision of the Cotonou Agreement
Political dialogue (Articles 6a and 96 and Annex VII)
Political dialogue (Articles 6a and 96 and Annex VII)
The revised Agreement provides for a more systematic and formal political dialogue under Article 8 when this relates to the three essential elements (human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law).
The revised Agreement provides for a more systematic and formal political dialogue under Article 8 when this relates to the three essential elements (human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law).
Furthermore, this dialogue must now be held before the consultation procedure provided for by Article 96 can be launched.
Furthermore, this dialogue must now be held before the consultation procedure provided for by Article 96 can be launched.
These provisions are complemented by a new annex setting out the detailed arrangements for this structured dialogue.
These provisions are complemented by a new annex setting out the detailed arrangements for this structured dialogue.
In keeping with the preventive nature of the dialogue within the meaning of Article 8, a formal and structured dialogue should be held systematically with each country.
In keeping with the preventive nature of the dialogue within the meaning of Article 8, a formal and structured dialogue should be held systematically with each country.
If, at the end of this formal dialogue, one party considers that the other has failed to respect an essential obligation, it can invoke the consultation procedure and, if necessary, the appropriate measures provided for under Article 96.
If, at the end of this formal dialogue, one party considers that the other has failed to respect an essential obligation, it can invoke the consultation procedure and, if necessary, the appropriate measures provided for under Article 96.
The timeframes for consultations under Articles 96 and 97 have been extended.
The timeframes for consultations under Articles 96 and 97 have been extended.
The Joint Council may lay down a certain number of additional arrangements, relating, for instance, to the stages of the consultation process and types of benchmarks and targets.
The Joint Council may lay down a certain number of additional arrangements, relating, for instance, to the stages of the consultation process and types of benchmarks and targets.
In addition, under the revised Cotonou Agreement, the representatives of the ACP Group and the ACP-EU JPA may participate in the political dialogue provided for in Article 8.
In addition, under the revised Cotonou Agreement, the representatives of the ACP Group and the ACP-EU JPA may participate in the political dialogue provided for in Article 8.