Luxembourg, 10/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Ministers of the European Union reached a political agreement in Luxembourg on Wednesday on the European Commission's proposal concerning the two lists of countervailing measures that are the European response to the protectionist measures adopted by the United States in the steel sector. The final decision was not adopted due to Denmark's parliamentary reservation, but (as EUROPE mentioned on 8 June, p.3), it should be adopted, without debate, at Thursday's JHA Council.
At his press conference, Council President Josep Piqué stressed that the Commission's "balanced and solid" proposal was approved unanimously by the Council. Unanimity also welcomed by Commissioner Pascal Lamy who said it demonstrated the Council's "firmness" and "complete solidarity" shown by Member states. It is a question of a "clear political signal at a sensitive time" in negotiations with the United States, observed Lamy, stating, over negotiations: "They are moving forward gently: these are tough negotiations". He recalled that the Commission's proposal comprised two lists: a long list (relating to a volume of 606 million euro), that will be implemented in 2003 if the WTO decision comes down in favour of the EU and the United states does not implement it), and a short list (378 million) that has to be notified to the WTO next week and that could take effect mid-July.