Brussels, 03/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the committee on international trade of the European Parliament carried out a stage examination of the report on the "construction of the Euro Mediterranean free-trade zone". The rapporteur, Kader Arif (PES, France) explained to his fellow members of the committee that this dossier on the future of the Euromed zone cannot be dealt with like any other, due to its political connotations (the Middle East, Lebanon) and without taking account of the "turbulent institutional context".
Mr Arif referred to the "breakdown of the Barcelona summit" of November last year, which was "dominated by the subject of security". He also included in this "turbulent context" the conditions in which the ENP (European neighbourhood policy) was implemented, to which, furthermore, not all of the countries of the region belong (Algeria) and which, according to the rapporteur, gives rise to more or fewer "fears" in others. The context is also one of a clear "asymmetry of trade", an imbalance which will affect North-South trade in the Mediterranean as much as South-South trade, between partner countries whose level of trade remains too low. Certainly, none of the planks of the Barcelona process should be neglected, but Mr Arif went on to explain that we cannot act without moving forward at the same pace. He also laid emphasis on the low levels of investment and the impact, particularly on textiles, of the rise in volume of Asian trade, particularly from China. He then went on to emphasise the obstacle of the problem in ensuring the free movement of workers, whilst at the same time sparing the countries of the northern Mediterranean the "violent images" of the boat people of illegal migrants. Lastly, he stated that the objective of 2010 for the creation of a multilateral free-trade zone is no longer "realistic", referring, in support of this, to a support commissioned by the Commission of a team from the University of Manchester, which concluded that it will be extremely difficult to respect this deadline. This free-trade zone can only be "progressive, gradual and concerted", Mr Arif concluded.
Remarking on the approach adopted by the rapporteur, Tokia Saïfi (EPP-ED) also noted the "difficult context", but remains "optimistic" and stresses the sensitive nature of the textile sector, to which she hopes that great attention will be paid. On both sides, we must redouble efforts between now and 2010 to keep this sector on its feet, she said. Other MEPs also highlighted the risk of opening up the markets too quickly, particularly within sensitive sectors such as water and energy, and most recommended that the deadline of 2010 should not be emphasised too greatly, keeping instead to a "pragmatic" approach.
In response, Michele Villani, speaking on behalf of DG Trade of the European Commission, pointed out that 2010 is only an object, particularly if we examined the degree of progress made, the steps that have been taken. He referred to the dismantlement calendars being executed with almost all countries of the region (with the exception of Syria), who are following a "realistic" pace. The logic would be that of "pragmatism and not of wishful thinking" and, between now and 2010, we should, above all, be able to demonstrate a "maximum flexibility", because the "constraints are many, particularly on a technical level". In conclusion, the rapporteur stressed the need, during this phase, to which make sure that "a differentiated treatment is applied" to take account of the diversity of situations and to facilitate are the search for practicable solutions. (fb)