WRITTEN QUESTION E-1822/99 by Arlindo Cunha (PPE-DE) to the Commission. EU-Africa trade liberalisation agreement.
C 203 E/58 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 (2000/C 203 E/069) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1822/99 by Arlindo Cunha (PPE-DE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: EU-Africa trade liberalisation agreement The trade provisions of the EU-South Africa Agreement are scheduled to come into force in January 2000. However, the RSA and the EU continue to differ with regard to the interpretation of the agreement on wine, and specifically the use of the registered designations áportí and ásherryí. It appears that the respective interpretations are: ü on the part of the RSA: in 12 yearsí time, talks will begin with a view to finding new names to replace the terms in question, on which agreement would need to be reached. Without such agreement, South Africa will continue to use these appellations. ü on the part of the EU: the agreement lays down that South Africa will cease to use the terms in question at the end of the twelve year period, and it is therefore necessary to start the search for alternative designations now. Can Commissioner Pascal Lamy tell me whether the trade component of the EU-RS Agreement will come into force before the agreement on wine, and what is being done to clarify the correct interpretation of the Agreementís provisions on the registered designation of origin of the wines in question? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (1 December 1999) The Commission is not of the opinion that there would be differing interpretation of the provisions of Annex X of the trade development and cooperation agreement (TDC) agreement, which refers to wines and spirits, although the text may not be fully appropriate from a legal point of view. Both parties are fully committed to respecting the compromise agreement reached in March 1999 as was made clear by the joint statement of 10 October 1999 on the wine and spirits agreement between South Africa and the Community (1). On 11 October 1999 the Council has taken note of this joint statement and has confirmed the wording of Annex X to the agreement. The overall TDC agreement is due to enter into effect on 1 January 2000. (1) The agreement will incorporate the agreement on port and sherry in the TDC ageement in the exact terms agreed in March. That agreement is comprehensive for all products currently using the áportí and ásherryí names. (2000/C 203 E/070) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1823/99 by Camilo Nogueira RomÆn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 October 1999) Subject: Exercise of the political and legislative powers of regional authorities within the European Council of Ministers In view of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference to review the Unionís treaties, and the Commissionís powers of initiative, could the Commission table a reform ensuring the direct presence within the Council of Ministers of regional political bodies (autonomous communities, federal states, etc. ) endowed with specific powers (political, economic, social and cultural), when the Council is dealing with matters of particular concern to such regional authorities?