JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
28 May 2002
- –Jaime Valdivielso de Cué and Werner Langen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
- –Erika Mann and Garrelt Duin, on behalf of the PSE Group
- –Francis Wurtz and Ilda Figueiredo, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
- –Cristiana Muscardini, on behalf of the UEN Group
- –GUE/NGL (B5‑0319/2002),
- –PPE-DE (B5‑0321/2002),
- –UEN (B5‑0322/2002),
- –PSE (B5‑0325/2002),
European Parliament resolution on the situation of the shipbuilding industry
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its resolutions of 15 November 2001 (A5-0373/2001) and 23 November 2000 (A5-0371/2000),
– having regard to the fifth report from the Commission to the Council on the situation in world shipbuilding of 30 April 2002 (COM(2002) 205 final),
– having regard to the Commission proposal for a Council regulation concerning a temporary defensive mechanism for shipbuilding (COM(2001) 401) and Council regulation (EC) No 1540/98 establishing new rules on aid to shipbuilding,
– having regard to Rule 42(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the world market in container ships, product and chemical tankers and natural gas tankers remains in crisis and market shares have altered in favour of Korea and to the detriment of the EU and other States,
B. whereas, following a recent inquiry into the situation in the Republic of Korea, the Commission concluded that international competition in this sector is still being distorted by dumping and that this unfair competition is seriously endangering the European shipbuilding industry,
C. having regard to the seriousness of the situation in the shipbuilding industry following the closure of many industrial sites and the loss of a great many jobs,
D. whereas the European shipbuilding industry has been kept in a situation of uncertainty since 31 December 2000,
E. whereas the negotiations begun by the Commission with South Korea did not succeed in reestablishing conditions of fair and transparent competition on the world market,
F. whereas on 14 May 2001 the Council authorised the Commission to initiate WTOproceedings against the Republic of Korea,
G. whereas the Council has not taken a decision on the adoption of the defensive trade measures proposed by the Commission and approved by Parliament, and whereas a further inquiry has been requested,
1. Recalls that, as early as November 2001, it approved the Commission proposal for a Council regulation concerning a temporary defensive mechanism for shipbuilding (COM(2001) 401);
2. Recalls that it asked the Commission to amend its proposal to include other market segments, namely gas tankers (LNG and LPG carriers), ferries and ro-ro vessels, as these ship types are also referred to in the complaint lodged with the WTO;
3. Reiterates its demand that the proposed temporary defensive mechanism should accompany the Community’s actions against Korea in the WTO and that it should apply only for the duration of the WTO proceedings;
4. Supports the Commission in its ‘two-track approach’ in combining the WTO proceedings with the adoption of the temporary defensive mechanism;
5. Calls on the Council to adopt the regulation, taking due account of the requested amendments, at its next meeting;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Member States.