Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-09-12-Speech-3-427-000"
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"en.20120912.23.3-427-000"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner De Gucht, ladies and gentlemen, today we are debating a proposal from you, Commissioner, that has the potential to do enormous damage to Europe’s reputation. While our partners are still engaged in negotiations with the Commission, you are looking to put a gun to their heads, forcing them to capitulate under the threat of exclusion from the European market. Your approach has completely discredited the European Union as a partner in negotiations.
Ambassadors from all the relevant countries have vividly described to me what is at stake for them and their population. The Committee on Development, armed with excellent and reliable barometers of mood in the African partner states, has recognised this and has therefore completely rejected the Commission’s proposal in the statement from my colleague and group chair Gabi Zimmer. My group is strongly supportive of this position, even in view of the trade-related aspects. I would call on all Members of this House, including my colleagues in the Committee on International Trade, to take this development policy perspective to heart and not to risk decades of close cooperation because of a short-sighted unilateral decision by the Commissioner for Trade. We will have a roll-call vote.
Commissioner De Gucht, your regulation would be devastating for the East African community. You risk isolating Kenya from the other Member States or causing this association of states to wave goodbye to Europe as its most important partner. A number of trading nations around the world would be happy at this development. You have made an unjust accusation against the Africans. You are seeking to punish a delay for which you yourself are responsible.
Why, for example, is the Commission insisting on abolishing export taxes? Namibia only levies such taxes on raw materials exports. If primary processing takes place in Namibia itself, no taxes are payable. I see this as smart and legitimate economic policy, pointing the way for an industrial policy that is completely in line with the objectives of EU development policy. Commissioner, you are taking a very short-sighted approach that runs counter to the medium- and long-term interests of Europe and the expansion of its trade relations. I would call on you to withdraw your proposal."@en1
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