WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3289/97 by Wolfgang KREISSL-DÖRFLER to the Commission. OECD negotiations on the Multilateral Investment Agreement (MIA)
30. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 134/131 Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (27 November 1997) The competition to which the Honourable Member refers was brought to a close in June 1997 and the names of 148 successful candidates were placed on the reserve list. The data released on the various stages of the competition have been set out in a table which is being sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. (98/C 134/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3289/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: OECD negotiations on the Multilateral Investment Agreement (MIA) In its communication A level playing field for direct investment world-wideí (COM(95) 0042 › C4-0118/95) the Commission deals with the specific concerns of the developing countries in connection with Foreign Direct Investment: These countries have a special interest that FDI contributes to human resource development and that MNE accept a social responsibility when acting in the host country. They in particular want to avoid that FDI inflows are motivated by low environmental or social standards, or that these standards are even lowered further to attract FDI. The Community should therefore accept discussing complementary safeguards, such as codes of conducts for good corporate citizenship for MNEs, to meet these concerns as an accompanying element to the general principles assuring the free flow and the protection of investmentsí. What steps has the Commission taken to guarantee respect for social, economic and ecological standards by the MNE? What stage has the discussion reached on the introduction of codes of conducts for MNE? Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (13 November 1997) The Commission continues to believe that a lowering of environmental or social standards in order to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) should be avoided, and not only in developing countries. The Commission therefore is in favour of a corresponding provision, which is currently discussed in the multilateral investment agreement (MIA) negotiations. The Commission also supports proposals to incorporate the Organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) guidelines for multinational enterprises into the MIA. Finally, the Commission would like to point out that there is little evidence of FDI flows to third countries with a view to benefit from lower environmental or social standards, or that such standards have been lowered in order to attract foreign investment. (98/C 134/175) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3290/97 by Wolfgang Kreissl-Do¤rfler (V) to the Commission (20 October 1997) Subject: OECD negotiations on the Multilateral Investment Agreement (MIA) In the Council guidelines for the OECD negotiations on the Multilateral Investment Agreement (MIA) of 27 November 1995 it is stated that During the negotiations it has to be ensured that interested non-OECD countries are informed and consultedí. Have consultations taken place between the Commission and the ACP countries on the implications and effects of the MIA on these countries? What stage have the negotiations on the MIA reached in the OECD?