Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-08-Speech-2-201"
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"en.20030408.6.2-201"2
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".
It had not escaped me, Mr Salafranca, that the Commission is supposed to be a slightly more political than technical institution. Nevertheless, as political as it may be, its objective is to apply the treaties, rules and legislation that the European Union has adopted for itself. If we do not do so then we are failing in our duties, and that is a political matter, not a technical one.
Is this modest reduction in customs duties on cut flowers going to have a serious and lasting impact on Costa Rica and Colombia? We do not think so. You can express a contrary view. The only thing that can decide between us for the time being are precedents. And the precedents have shown us that there were no major risks.
Nevertheless, it is because it is sensitive to the political situation that the Commission has agreed to delay implementation of this graduation. Until when? We are in the process of discussing this with the Council of Ministers, which, as is so often the case where trade policy is concerned, has the last word on this matter. Would a specific derogation for agricultural products be welcome? We do not think so, for one simple reason: that it would further weaken the compatibility with WTO rules of our generalised system of preferences, which, as you know, has been challenged by India on the grounds, I might add, that it does not benefit from the 'Drugs' GSP itself. We do not therefore wish to bring grist to the mill of those who, as it were, want to see the back of this scheme.
Finally, what will happen in 2004? The scheme expires at the end of 2004 and we will decide next year between two options which currently seem to be possibilities: either to modify the scheme as from 1 January 2005 or to extend it for a certain period of time. The choice between these two hypotheses will depend on how far the round of negotiations has advanced, because it would be good to know the general trend in tariff levels before determining the exact preferences. This decision will be made by the Commission during the course of next year."@en1
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