WRITTEN QUESTION E-2757/99 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Administrative simplification.
24. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 303 E/105 proposals for the allocation of structural funds and the money available through the EU Action Plan on Drug Dependence is apparently allocated to large-scale professional projects with an EU dimension. Therefore, what practical support, financial or otherwise, can the Commission offer to a group of local residents who are committed to tackling this serious and growing problem? Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission (15 February 2000) The Commission acknowledges the fact that local communities form an important resource in any effort to tackle the drugs problem. Perhaps the best possibility for local residents of rural East Northamptonshire to receive practical support for their activities would be to contact a national organisation like e. g. ADFAM (National Helpline for Families and Friends of Drug Users). They can share their experience with the local people and provide them with contact information on similar kinds of projects elsewhere in Europe. ADFAM is a member of a network of European Drug Helplines financed by the European Community Programme for drug prevention. This programme has been the main source of Community funding for drug prevention in 1996-2000. The programme has funded the setting up and practical work of many of these European networks as well as prevention projects with a European dimension. Many networks offer useful advice and support for local level activities. They also share information on experience on best practices in drug prevention. At the moment, the Commission is investigating possibilities to prolong the Drug Community Programme for drug prevention by two years. Information on evaluated European drug demand reduction projects is also available in the Internet through the web site of the European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (http://www. emcd- da. org/). This offers a valuable tool for learning from experience of similar kinds of projects elsewhere in the Community. Innovative projects with a high degree of local community involvement are also being funded through the Community initiative employment (e. g. Integra and Youthstart). The Employment initiative aims at helping people with special difficulties in finding or keeping a suitable job. Although the Employment initiative is not drug specific, the projects funded do often have a strong preventive influence. The majority of Employment projects are coming to an end in the course of the year 2000. The preventive and innovative approach will however be pursued in the new Community initiative EQUAL for the period 2000-2006. Project information can be found on the Employment web site www. europs. be. (2000/C 303 E/101) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2757/99 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Administrative simplification On 29 April 1999 the Commission submitted to the Council an action plan, which was supported by all the Member States, to improve the administrative environment for business and remove the unnecessary burdens hampering the competitiveness of European undertakings. Can the Commission say what response its initiative has received in the various Member States? What specific measures has it adopted to improve the competitiveness of undertakings? C 303 E/106 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 24. 10. 2000 Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (25 February 2000) The action plan to promote the spirit of enterprise and competitiveness approved by the Member States on 29 April 1999 does indeed state that the Commission will report on the progress made as a matter of routine. Since the Commission and Member States are in the middle of conducting this exercise the Commission will not be in a position to put forward an initial report before the Council that is to be held under the French Presidency in late 2000. It would thus be premature to carry out an initial assessment. Nevertheless, the Commission is in the process of expanding bilateral contacts in cooperation with the various Member States in order to ensure that the measures adopted are properly carried out. (2000/C 303 E/102) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2758/99 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Chinaís accession to the WTO A bilateral agreement was recently reached between the United States and China on the conditions for Chinaís accession to the WTO. In view of the impact which that agreement may have on the European textile and garment sectors, bearing in mind that China is the leading exporter of garments and the second largest exporter of textiles, can the Commission make an assessment of the agreementís impact on the European textile, garment and leather sectors? What approach will the Commission take to bilateral negotiations between the European Union and China with a view to that countryís accession to the WTO with regard to the above sectors? Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission (9 February 2000) The agreement reached between the United States and China concerning the latterís accession to the World trade organisation (WTO) reflects the bilateral position of the two parties. The final terms and conditions of Chinaís accession will be determined within the WTO, notably in the working party on the protocol of accession of China. The Commissionís understanding of the United States/China agreement in so far as it relates to the textiles and clothing sector is that the United States has accorded China the benefits of the WTO agreement on textiles and clothing ( ATCí) from the date of accession, including the end date of 1 January 2005 for integration of all products covered by the ATC. In addition, the United States/China agreement proposes that for a further period of four years from 1 January 2005 a special safeguard provision will be available to the United States and other WTO members in respect of imports of textiles and clothing from China. This safeguard clause closely follows the safeguard provision of the currently applicable United States/ China bilateral textiles agreement. Broadly speaking, the Commission welcomes agreement between the United States and China as a major step forward to Chinaís accession to the WTO. However, the agreement deals with Chinaís accession to the WTO from a United States perspective and does not cover all the priorities of the Community. There remain areas concerning Chinaís accession to the WTO which need to be resolved between China and the Community in further bilateral negotiations. For textiles and clothing China is the largest supplier of the Community subject to quantitative restrictions, with imports from China running at around € 7 000 million per year. The application of the ATC to China would bring increased competition not only for European industry but also between exporters of textiles and clothing to the Community particularly in lower price ranges. China is also a very large potential market for textile and clothing industry. Exports from the Community to China, however, are in the region of € 300 million per year. A major factor in this low performance is the lack of openness of the Chinese market. Therefore the main approach of the Community for the sector will be to ensure that