ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Transcription

1 15th session from 17 to 20 March 2008 LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) ORAL QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL QO\704916EN.doc 1/23 APP/

2 I. ORAL QUESTIONS TO THE ACP COUNCIL Page Question 1 William (Seychelles) Ratification of the revised Cotonou Agreement 3 Question 2 Carlotti Ratification of the revised Cotonou Agreement 4 II. ORAL QUESTIONS TO THE EU COUNCIL A. FINANCIAL QUESTIONS Question 3 Fernandes Aid effectiveness 5 Question 4 William (Seychelles) GDP per capita criteria 6 Question 20 Neris EDF and gender issues 7 B. TRADE QUESTIONS Question 5 Agnoletto EPA/Export subsidies 8 + Question 6 Schmidt F. Revision of interim EPAs before signing and 9 notification + Question 7 Ag Imbarcaouane (Mali) Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) 10 + Question 9 Yáñez-Barnuevo Trade agreements 11 Question 8 Dunah (Liberia) The Council's unilateral powers to suspend imports 12 from ACP countries C. SPECIFIC ACP COUNTRIES/REGIONS Question 11 Aubert Uranium 13 Question 12 Hutchinson Situation in north Kivu 14 Question 13 Berman The situation in Chad 15 Question 14 Schnellhardt Mission to Darfur 16 Question 15 Carlotti The situation in Somalia 17 Question 16 Van Hecke Increasing tensions in Somalia 18 Question 17 Gomes ESDP mission to Guinea Bissau 19 Question 21 Schmidt O. The imprisonment of the Swedish journalist 20 Dawit Isaak D. GENERAL QUESTIONS Question 10 Goudin Fisheries agreements with third countries 21 Question 18 Leinen Climate change 22 Question 19 Zimmer Legal migration to the EU for ACP citizens 23 QO\704916EN.doc 2/23 APP/

3 ORAL QUESTION TO THE ACP COUNCIL by Waven William (Seychelles) Subject: Ratification of the revised Cotonou Agreement In view of the fact that at least two thirds of ACP States need to ratify the revised Cotonou Partnership Agreement before the 10th EDF can be disbursed, what actions are being taken or considered by the ACP Council of Ministers to secure the necessary ratifications? QO\704916EN.doc 3/23 QO/CONS/1

4 ORAL QUESTION TO THE ACP COUNCIL by Marie-Arlette Carlotti Subject: Ratification of the revised Cotonou Agreement The 10th EDF could not come into effect on 1 January 2008 because of delays in the ratification process. Ratification by all EU Member States has not yet taken place. On the ACP side, the requisite number of ratifications of the revised Cotonou Agreement (two thirds of the ACP States) has not been achieved either. Can the ACP Council say what stage the ratification process has reached and what moves have been made to speed it up? QO\704916EN.doc 4/23 QO/CONS/2

5 by Emanuel Jardim Fernandes Subject: Aid effectiveness Governments will meet in Accra in September this year for the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. The EU and its Member States - providers of the majority of the world's aid - have a fundamental role to play in delivering more and better aid and in contributing to global sustainable development. Will Member States and the EU prepare the Accra forum by setting concrete targets to improve their policy coherence and the quality of their development aid, so that European aid truly contributes to the eradication of poverty and inequality, to the achievement of the MDGs and to respect for human rights? QO\704916EN.doc 5/23 QO/CONS/3

6 by Waven William (Seychelles) Subject: GDP per capita criteria In view of the fact that the GDP per capita theory is a poor indicator for measuring economic development (particularly as it does not reflect factors such as the depletion of the environment and natural resources and disregards material growth in small island developing states), which is affecting the capacity of certain developing countries such as the Seychelles to receive ODA and debt relief, what is being done by the Council to review the criteria for the measurement of development in developing countries? QO\704916EN.doc 6/23 QO/CONS/4

7 by Catherine Neris (for Dariusz Rosati) Subject: EDF and gender issues The gender issue, presently being addressed in connection with mainstreaming for the 10th EDF, is not being given adequate attention and funding, given the problems encountered by women in developing countries. Does the Council intend to make this issue a priority by designating it an area of special concentration during the EDF mid-term review in 2010? QO\704916EN.doc 7/23 QO/CONS/20

8 by Vittorio Agnoletto Subject: EPA / Export subsidies Export subsidies are generally considered very trade-distorting. For this reason, at the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference held in Hong Kong in December 2005 the Member States agreed 'to ensure the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidies and disciplines on all export measures with equivalent effect to be completed by the end of 2013'. Yet the Commission has only offered to refrain from using them where ACP countries have committed themselves to eliminating their import tariffs on related products. Some interim agreements do not even make any reference to the EU refraining from using its export subsidies. Does the Council not think that the Commission should simply commit itself to refraining from using any subsidies for exports to ACP countries? QO\704916EN.doc 8/23 QO/CONS/5

9 by Frithjof Schmidt Subject: Revision of interim EPAs before signing and notification The interim agreements initialled in December last year were negotiated in haste. Independent analysis shows that they contain many shortcomings, especially with regard to rules of origin, safeguards, export restrictions, review clauses, development, assessment and monitoring, etc. ACP countries were asking for their revision as early as 13 December. Will the Council demand such a revision before authorising the Commission to sign the interim agreements and notify them to the WTO? QO\704916EN.doc 9/23 QO/CONS/6

10 by Assarid Ag Imbarcaouane (Mali) Subject: Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) So that EPA can be concluded which are favourable to both sides and conducive to development and economic integration in the ECOWAS area, does the Council not consider it urgent to stop signing interim agreements with individual ACP countries? Should it not be the EU's priority objective to pursue negotiations on signing an agreement so as to safeguard the unity of our regions? QO\704916EN.doc 10/23 QO/CONS/7

11 by Luis Yáñez-Barnuevo (for Zita Gurmai) Subject: Trade agreements The EU is Africa's main economic partner in a context of commercial and financial dependence and, above all, growing political influence. The EU is clearly willing to position itself as a top-ranking international player and therefore needs to provide significant support within the system of bilateral agreements with Africa. At the last EU-Africa Summit in December 2007, there were points of disagreement, but no splits; various documents relaunching dialogue and cooperation were adopted, and, at the same time, an action plan was put in hand to stimulate development and trade and promote peace and democracy. It is true that Africa has achieved better economic results over the last few years; but, as regards trade, it is still lagging behind. It is the rich world's responsibility to support the creation of stability, wealth and wellbeing for Africans. Accordingly, can the Council. Accordingly, can the Council: - explain why it has been unable to respond appropriately to the requests by the ACP countries and why conclusion of their agreements with the EU has had to be delayed? - say what alternative the ACP countries could be offered if, ultimately, no such agreements are reached? QO\704916EN.doc 11/23 QO/CONS/9

12 by Worlea-Sayway Dunah (Liberia) Subject: The Council's unilateral powers to suspend imports from ACP countries There is particular concern about the terms of the trade relationship between the ACP countries and the EU as spelled out in Articles 9(1)(a) and (b) and 12 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 of 20 December 2007 and the implications for sustainable agricultural sector growth and poverty eradication goals of ACP countries. The unilateral powers it has granted itself to suspend imports - without reference to its partners and with no concern for their economic well-being - contradict the goals set out in recital 3 of the preamble to that Regulation and the principles of the Cotonou Agreement. What is the rationale for the Regulation? QO\704916EN.doc 12/23 QO/CONS/8

13 by Marie-Hélène Aubert. Subject: Uranium Niger, ranked bottom on the human development scale by the United Nations, is a poor country. However, it is one of the world's leading uranium producers. Uranium extraction has led to significant contamination of the environment. Mining takes place in conditions which would be unacceptable in the EU, e.g. no health monitoring for workers for radioactive contamination. Problems go well beyond the environmental domain, however. The socioeconomic and political dimensions are significant, too, and are even taking on central importance, given what is at stake and the designs of some. The north of Niger is inhabited by Tuaregs, who are the casualties of uranium extraction in the region. Their demands - on both social and environmental issues - concern, inter alia, transparency and radiation pollution of wells. Some Member States - France in particular - have a privileged relationship with Niger. What initiatives can the Council take to ensure that communities are genuinely protected and that an ecologically sustainable model is developed which is driven by inhabitants' satisfaction and not by the imperatives of profit? QO\704916EN.doc 13/23 QO/CONS/11

14 by Alain Hutchinson (for Elisa Ferreira) Subject: Situation in North Kivu Over the last 20 months, there have been massacres, systematic rape of young girls, mothers and grandmothers, forced recruitment of civilians and child soldiers, and a host of other acts of violence and serious human rights abuses in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) both by Laurent Nkunda's rebel troops and by FDLR combatants and the Congolese Army itself. The ceasefire commitment entered into at the end of the Goma peace conference is known to be fragile, and it is also known that, in spite of a mandate under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, MONUC has to date not succeeded in preventing such acts. Under the circumstances, the Netherlands has announced its intention to release US $ 24 million to support the Congolese Government and the United Nations in their actions to stabilise five areas in the east of the country: the two Kivus, Ituri, Maniema and North Katanga. Given, in addition, that a major earthquake hit the region recently, causing very many casualties, does the Council intend to encourage the other Member States to follow the Netherlands' example and release funds to provide emergency aid to the population of North Kivu? QO\704916EN.doc 14/23 QO/CONS/12

15 by Thijs Berman (for Kader Arif) Subject: The situation in Chad Can the Council give an undertaking that it is pressing for a stepped-up and ongoing presence of EUFOR soldiers in East Chad in order to stabilise both the humanitarian and the political situation so that the spread of the conflict to other countries or regions can be curbed, and does this give tangible expression to the international right of humanitarian intervention? QO\704916EN.doc 15/23 QO/CONS/13

16 by Horst Schnellhardt Subject: Mission to Darfur The military mission in the Central African Republic and Chad commences at the start of March Full deployment is scheduled for the end of May. Can the Council Presidency say: - what impact the deployment of EU troops will have on the situation in Darfur and whether there are already initial results? - what action is being taken to step up diplomatic efforts, in addition to exerting military influence, so as to change the Sudanese Government's attitude? QO\704916EN.doc 16/23 QO/CONS/14

17 by Marie-Arlette Carlotti Subject: Situation in Somalia After 16 years of civil war, Somalia remains plagued by chaos. The displaced persons and much of the civilian population can survive only because of humanitarian aid. In his statement of 19 December 2007, the EU's High Representative said: 'We remain ready to assist and facilitate, in coordination with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, efforts towards a cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire process paving the way for meaningful political dialogue between all parties.' Can the Council say what decisions and actions have been taken along these lines? QO\704916EN.doc 17/23 QO/CONS/15

18 by Johan Van Hecke Subject: Increasing tensions in Somalia There was fighting in the disputed region of Sool in northern Somalia between troops loyal to the rival authorities of Somaliland and Puntland in the week starting 14 January. The breakaway Somali republic of Somaliland has clashed for years over its border with the neighbouring semi-autonomous Puntland region, which is aligned with Somalia's transitional federal government. In Somalia, the situation is also worsening. Aid agencies cannot even reach the majority of people who were forced to flee the fighting between Islamic insurgents, various warlords and allied Somali and Ethiopian troops. What is the Council's policy regarding Somalia? Does the Council plan to have a dialogue with Somaliland and Puntland? QO\704916EN.doc 18/23 QO/CONS/16

19 by Ana Gomes Subject: ESDP mission to Guinea Bissau The Council conclusions adopted at the 2831st External Relations Council meeting, which took place in Brussels on November 2007, stated that: 'The Council noted that, following an initial joint Council-Commission information gathering mission in May 2007 to Guinea Bissau, consideration has been given to a possible option for an ESDP advice and assistance mission consisting of a small number of civilian and military technical experts in support of the national Security Sector Reform process. The Council considered that an ESDP action in the field of Security Sector Reform in Guinea Bissau would be appropriate, in coherence with and complementary to European Development Fund and other Community activity.' How is the Council planning to link this ESDP mission with a development strategy for Guinea Bissau that encompasses capacity building for good governance and development? QO\704916EN.doc 19/23 QO/CONS/17

20 by Olle Schmidt Subject: The imprisonment of the Swedish journalist Dawit Isaak The Swedish journalist Dawit Isaak has now been imprisoned in Eritrea for more than six years. He has not been put on trial, and several other journalists have been murdered. Democratic values and free speech are core values that have to be respected by all EU partners. What is the Presidency's plan for dealing with this situation of great concern in Eritrea? QO\704916EN.doc 20/23 QO/CONS/21

21 by Hélène Goudin Subject: Fisheries agreements with third countries The EU's common fisheries policy has a highly adverse impact on the environment, worsens fishing opportunities for local communities and costs the European taxpayer huge sums each year. Does the EU make full use of fishing quotas negotiated with partner countries? Can the Council give an example of agreements where the EU does not attain the quota paid for? Does the Presidency believe that those agreements should be renegotiated so as to observe more stringent environmental requirements and stricter budgetary discipline? QO\704916EN.doc 21/23 QO/CONS/10

22 by Jo Leinen (for Lissy Gröner) Subject: Climate change Climate change is affecting countries in Africa and the Pacific in particular; they are experiencing climatic disasters and increasing energy prices. The European Commission recently presented its energy package, with a focus on renewable energies and biomass. Does the Council envisage a strategy for including the ACP countries in policy on combating climate change, e.g. by promoting renewable energy production and use? If so, what are the key features? If not, why not? QO\704916EN.doc 22/23 QO/CONS/18

23 by Gabi Zimmer Subject: Legal migration to the EU for ACP citizens What scope does the Council see for making it possible for ACP states' citizens who do not have a 'highly qualified' skills profile status to migrate legally to EU Member States? QO\704916EN.doc 23/23 QO/CONS/19