Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-05-15-Speech-2-321"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2001-05-15"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Extension of duty-free access to least-developed country products2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20010515.12.2-321"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2001-05-15-Speech-2-3222
lpv:speaker	lp:Bas Belder2
lpv:spokenAs	member; EDD (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij - Gereformeerd Politiek Verbond - Reformatorisch Politieke Federatie (1999-07-20--2002-03-17)3 member; Temporary committee on the Echelon interception system (2000-07-06--2001-09-05)3 member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (2000-10-05--2002-01-14)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 vice-chair; Delegation for relations with the United States (1999-07-22--2002-01-14)3 substitute; Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, in the Commission report on the Union’s development policy, which was published last year, it was noted that the EU’s trade policy has more impact on the development of countries than the total sum of the entire aid policy. The Commission’s ‘Everything but Arms’ initiative is therefore commendable. However, for the least developed countries, market access is not sufficient. They lack the infrastructure to capitalise on market access. Furthermore, the transitional periods for rice, sugar and bananas are long, and after these, a safeguard measure can be used at will. Additionally, the EU’s product requirements are high. In order to turn the initiative into a real success, it is important to help the least developed countries gain market access. Technical assistance is required if the requirements which European consumers prescribe in terms of their food are to be met. Only then can food safety be taken as a guiding principle. Otherwise, the European market will retain its protectionist character. I emphatically support the rapporteur’s call for a study of the actual implications of the initiative. In the past, the indigenous people of the least developed countries rarely benefited from the opening up of markets. The evaluation of the Lomé agreements in the 90s made that abundantly clear. Unfortunately, the Miranda report contains a few contradictions. The text of our resolution has the feel of a compromise. The European farmers, the ACP group, the consumers, they all seem to be gaining from it. Although I understand the positions of all parties in and outside the European Union, I still believe that we need to make a choice. Either we choose to improve the situation of 600 million people in the least developed countries, or we do not. Finally, Mr President, I would urge the Commission also to involve the US and Japan in the ‘Everything but Arms’ initiative at the LDC Conference, which is currently being held in Brussels."@en1

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