WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1466/97 by Giovanni BURTONE to the Commission. Agreements with Mediterranean non-member countries
C 21/58 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 22. 1. 98 Answer (6 August 1997) Although the Council meets in different formations, there is only one Council of the European Union. 1. Under the Councilís rules of procedure (1) the agenda for a Council meeting is divided into Part A and Part B. Items for which approval of the Council is possible without discussion are included in Part A. 2. The Honourable Member refers to the joint action which the Council adopted, on the basis of Article K. 3 of the Treaty on European Union, concerning the participation of the Member States of the European Union in the strategic operation planned by the Customs Cooperation Council (World Customs Organisation) to combat drug smuggling on the Balkan route. That joint action was included in Part A of the agenda for the Council meeting on 20 December 1996. (1) OJ L 304, 10. 12. 1993, p. 1, and L 31, 10. 2. 1995, p. 14. (98/C 21/145) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1466/97 by Giovanni Burtone (PPE) to the Commission (30 April 1997) Subject: Agreements with Mediterranean non-member countries In March 1996 I called for the blocking of a trade agreement with Morocco, which would inevitably have led to a crisis in the agricultural sector and, in particular, in the Sicilian citrus fruit sector. Member States are now going ahead with ratification of such agreements with Mediterranean non-member countries, giving rise to discontent among and opposition from farmers. Has the Commission considered the impact and serious consequences of such agreements (especially with Morocco) on EU regions (in particular, Sicily), which have traditionally relied on such sectors of production and which are now faced with competition that is distorted by the lower labour costs in the Mediterranean non-member countries in question? If the trade agreements with Mediterranean non-member countries are not suspended, does the Commission intend to introduce a policy of aid to producers who suffer as a result of unfair competition? If so, on the basis of what criteria? Answer given by M. Fischler on behalf of the Commission (9 June 1997) The Commission has held negotiations for new Euro-Mediterranean agreements with certain countries following the specific mandates adopted by the Council. The mandates include the guidelines for the negotiations on agricultural concessions. In the course of the negotiations, the historical trade flows and the situation of the internal market have been carefully examined by the Commission before proposing new concessions. It should be noted that the concessions on citrus fruits are granted within the limits of tariff quotas and that the preferential imports are subject to entry prices (entry prices have been reduced for Moroccan and Israeli oranges). The Commission believes that the concessions agreed so far with the Mediterranean countries (Morocco, Israel, Tunisia and the Palestinian authority) will permit the continuation of the historical trade flows but should not unduly affect Community imports of citrus fruits in general. The market organisation for fruit and vegetables has been recently reformed. It foresees various means of support for Community fruit and vegetable farmers, mainly through the producersí organisations. This reform is being implemented at present. The Commission believes that such a regime will enhance competition in the fruit and vegetable sector and that this sector will also be capable of facing competition from imported products