WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1777/98 by Reimer BÖGE to the Commission. Agenda 2000 and the WTO agreements
C 354/124 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 In the context of an informal ministerial meeting between the Troika of the European Union and Mexico which took place in Panama on 12 February 1998, the Mexican Minister took the opportunity to provide information on the measures taken by her Government, including those regarding respect for human rights, to overcome the political problems the country was facing. The Mexican Minister also observed that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the principles of democracy and political pluralism formed the basis of relations between the EU and Mexico, a view with which the EU Ministers concurred. At the 54th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the Union launched an appeal to the Mexican Government for it to put a swift end to impunity, for example in cases where police officers were involved in torture or other crimes. The Union also expressed its support and encouragement to the National Commission on Human Rights in Mexico and to local NGOs to continue their work of defending and promoting human rights. The Council also wishes to inform the Honourable Member that the Interim Agreement on trade between 2. the EU and Mexico, which will enable the process of trade liberalisation to be launched, entered into force on 1 July 1998. The first Joint Council meeting was held on 14 July 1998, alongside the General Affairs Council. The Agreement is the ideal framework in which to continue the dialogue begun with the Mexican authorities on all questions of mutual interest and in particular the human rights situation. The Council will not fail to reiterate the importance of respect for human rights, which constitutes one of the pillars of the Agreement in question, whenever appropriate. (98/C 354/200) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1777/98 by Reimer Bo¤ge (PPE) to the Commission (5 June 1998) Subject: Agenda 2000 and the WTO agreements Could the Commission explain the criteria on the basis of which agricultural aid is classified as áblue boxí 1. or ágreen boxí under the WTO agreements? Could the Commission state the category under which the direct aid for beef and milk envisaged in 2. Agenda 2000 can be classified? Should the aid provided under the American FAIR (Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform) act be 3. regarded, in principle, as eligible for inclusion in the ágreen boxí category? Can the Commission confirm that the objective of establishing environmental standards for agriculture and 4. including them in future world trade rules is enshrined in the GATT agreements? 5. What reports or recommendationshave been submitted to date pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on trade in services and the environment (OJ L 336 p. 265, 23. 12. 1994)? 6. What initiatives will the Commission take to ensure these agreements are effectively implemented at international level, or to propose and effect changes to Article XIV of the Agreement? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (7 July 1998) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible