WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3293/97 by Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER to the Commission. Market access for least developed countries
C 158/80 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 25. 5. 98 (98/C 158/102) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3293/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: Market access for least developed countries How does the Commission intend to implement the Council decision which provides for least developed countries to have parity with the ACP countries? What will be the difficulties in implementing the decision? Do any practical proposals on this subject exist? Joint answer to Written Questions E-3292/97 and E-3293/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1997) The Council asked the Commission in June this year to table proposals on equivalent treatment of all the least-advanced countries by 1 January1998. The Commission is working on those proposals, taking account of the Communityís obligations under the Lome· Convention and the provisions of the generalised scheme of preferences. Given the structural differences between the trade arrangements that the Community has with the least-advanced countries party to the Lome· Convention and with the least-advanced countries which are not parties thereto but beneficiaries of the GSP, a number of technical difficulties do exist and solutions to them are being sought. As soon as they have been found, a proposal will be put before the Council as quickly as possible. (98/C 158/103) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3294/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: EU trade policy Which of the topics referred to in the Commissionís report on trade policy are to be discussed in the framework of the WTO in Geneva? Has the Commission made an assessment of the question of how much its trade policy contributes to job creation and guarantees equality of opportunity also for unskilled workers and women? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1997) A wide range of trade policy topics are discussed in the framework of the World trade organisation (WTO) in Geneva. Most of the agreements negotiated during the Uruguay Round contain revision clauses or expressly provide for further negotiations. These form the so-called built-in agenda. The built-in agenda was added to by the WTO ministerial conference in December 1996. Ministers approved a plan of action for least developed countries and preliminary discussions on regional trade preferences, transparency of government procurement, facilitation of trade rules and procedures, trade and investment and trade and competition. The Commission is firmly convinced that the Community established trade policy, as reflected in approval of the outcome of the Uruguay Round and subsequent ministerial decisions, contributes strongly to job creation within the Community. The Commission is also firmly committed to equality of opportunity for unskilled workers and