Brussels, 25/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - By adopting conclusions on the European Commission's communication of 13 October, entitled, "The future of the textile and clothing industry after 2005" and carried out on the basis of the work of a High Level Group, the Competitive Council highlighted the role of SMEs in this sector. It renewed its support for the Commission's work and subsequently sent out a clear message supporting the European textile sector (EUROPE yesterday pp 11/12).
Acknowledging that the European textile and clothing sector had to increase competitiveness in an international environment that was more open to competition, the Council underlined the essential role played by SMEs and the need to improve their access to EU financial support instruments. The Council considered that the Commission's approach was an effective way of implementing the horizontal principles of the EU and for identifying the specific needs of the textile sector. The Council therefore renewed its support for the Commission's strategy, which mainly focuses on research and innovation, training and improving competencies, copyright protection, access of third countries to development strategies for the textile industry in the Euro-Mediterranean zone. It called on the Commission to continue the High Level Group's work, particularly on innovation, development and industrial cooperation with Euro-Mediterranean partners and dialogue with Russia, China and India.
The Council also called on Member States and the Commission to deepen their work in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy and encouraged a voluntary based approach to improved third county market access. It supports the setting up of a generalised system of preferences that will allow developing countries, notably less advanced countries, to play a greater role in international trade. The Council called for the Commission to provide regular report on the European textile and clothing development sector following the end to import quotas after 1 January 2005.