RAPPORT dwar il-proposta għal deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill dwar il-konklużjoni tal-Ftehim taħt il-forma ta’ Skambju ta’ Ittri bejn il-Komunità Ewropea u l-Ukraina fir-rigward taż-żamma ta’ l-impenji fil-kummerċ tas-servizzi mniżżla fil-Ftehim ta’ Sħubija u Kooperazzjoni

11.9.2008 - (COM(2008)0220 – C6‑0202/2008 – 2008/0087(CNS)) - *

Kumitat għall-Kummerċ Internazzjonali
Rapporteur: Zbigniew Zaleski

ABBOZZ TA' RIŻOLUZZJONI LEĠIŻLATTIVA TAL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW

dwar il-proposta għal deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill dwar il-konklużjoni tal-Ftehim taħt il-forma ta’ Skambju ta’ Ittri bejn il-Komunità Ewropea u l-Ukraina fir-rigward taż-żamma tal-impenji fil-kummerċ tas-servizzi mniżżla fil-Ftehim ta’ Sħubija u Kooperazzjoni

(COM(2008)0220 – C6‑0202/2008 – 2008/0087(CNS))

(Proċedura ta' konsultazzjoni)

Il-Parlament Ewropew,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-proposta għal deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill (COM(2008)0220),

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikoli 71(1) u 80(2) tat-Trattat KE,

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikolu 300(3), l-ewwel subparagrafu, tat-Trattat KE skont liema artikolu ġie kkonsultat mill-Kunsill (C6-0202/2008),

–   wara li kkunsidra l-Artikoli 51 u 83(7) tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura tieghu,

–   wara li kkunsidra r-rapport tal-Kumitat ghall-Kummerċ Internazzjonali (A6-0337/2008),

1.  Japprova l-konklużjoni tal-ftehim;

2.  Jagħti istruzzjonijiet lill-President tiegħu sabiex jgħaddi l-pożizzjoni tal-Parlament lill-Kunsill u l-Kummissjoni, u lill-gvernijiet u l-parlamenti tal-Istati Membri u tal-Ukraina.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The report endorses the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the EU and Ukraine in relation to preservation of commitments on trade in services contained in the PCA concerning freedom of providing international maritime transport services in their inland waterways (sea and rivers).

In that context, the rapporteur is of the opinion that Parliament has to seize this opportunity to underline the promising trade relationships between both the EU and Ukraine and, in particular, the growth potential in trade in services. As an important partner for the EU, Ukraine was integrated in the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2004, and an Action Plan was agreed in February 2005.

The current Partnership and Co-operation Agreement

In 1998, the EU and Ukraine signed a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) holding strong commitments. Since then, the commercial relationship between both parties has increased significantly and the EU has become the primary source of foreign investments in Ukraine. The rapporteur appreciates the strengthening of the trade relations and the efforts made by Ukraine and the EU towards a more coordinated and efficient partnership.

Ukraine's accession to WTO

Ukraine has become a member of the WTO in May 2008 with an overwhelming support from the Ukrainian parliament (411 out of 450 members). The EU had continuously supported Ukraine's efforts to enter the WTO. The rapporteur welcomes this historical achievement which will allow Ukraine to fully participate in the world’s multilateral trade system.

To complete its accession process to the WTO, Ukraine has signed concessions in all areas, including the ones in the context of the General Agreement of Trade in Services (GATS).

EU-Ukraine FTA and services

This WTO accession would pave the way to the creation of a comprehensive EU/Ukraine Free Trade Area, including further commitments in trade in services.

Ukraine needs to improve its services sector. Competitive services are a key component for growth and productivity of a well-functioning market economy. To achieve that objective, Ukraine needs to undertake domestic reforms and hold ambitious talks with the EU.

The rapporteur supports the EU technical assistance to Ukraine and takes the view that further economic growth could be achieved by enhancing cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and its EU member neighbours.

Transports and customs

Ukraine is in need of a modern, efficient, and well-connected network of transports to exploit its strategic position in Eastern Europe, which demands reforms and investments in infrastructures. The rapporteur welcomes the joint EC and Ukraine efforts aiming at deepening co-operation in the transport sphere in order to speed up further integration of Ukraine's transport infrastructure, in particular ports and waterways, into the European transport network along the Pan-European Transport Corridors.

In the sector of civil aviation, bilateral negotiations should aim at full inclusion of Ukraine in the ‘Single European Sky’, which may imply some liberalisation of aviation-related activities including airports.

As for customs and administrative practices, their relative inefficiency can cause serious damages to Ukrainian foreign trade and result in significant economic setbacks. Trade facilitation should therefore be one of priority objective of the new FTA with Ukraine. The EU should also provide more technical assistance to reduce custom obstacles and both partners must commit to harmonize their custom practices and regulations.

Energy

Ukraine is an important transit country for EU-bound oil and gas flows from Russia and the Black Sea and Caucasus regions. Moreover, Ukraine has a potential for becoming an exporter of electric energy to the EU and has expressed the wish to be integrated in the EU and South East Europe electricity market. The EC decision to strengthen energy cooperation with Ukraine under the Action Plan is, in this context, welcome. The rapporteur, however, insists on the fact that a proper functioning energy market and an efficient oil and gas transit policy are the necessary preconditions for the full integration of Ukraine into the EU energy system.

The reform of the financial sector

The conclusion of the FTA make possible to not only eliminate restrictions on the movement of capital, but also restrictions on financial services.

In Ukraine, banks and insurance companies are still small-sized: together all the country’s banks have net assets of less than € 20 billion, which is equivalent to an average small EU bank. A dynamic financial sector matters for both the general process of economic development and market opening and for deeper anchoring of Ukraine with the EU economies. A reliable financial frame is necessary for Ukraine to become a strong economy and reduce money laundering and corruption which impede its growth.

Telecommunications

The telecommunications sector in Ukraine is now going through implementation of comprehensive GATS commitments.

The modernisation of Ukraine’s telecom sector will create the basis for future trade in IT-enabled services. As a neighbouring country with a well-educated and skilled workforce, Ukraine has significant potential to benefit from the tendency of European firms to outsource back-office tasks.

Distribution

The distribution sector remains very traditional and fragmented in Ukraine but the arrival of foreign competitors could add a diversity of products and services and contribute to domestic competition and sustainable price stability.

Water

The water services have to be improved as they are becoming obsolete and there are shortcomings in the supply of water. EU financial support and targeted public investments in infrastructures are clearly necessary. Yet, a rule-less privatisation or opening of the markets should be avoided since it will be seriously impacting on the less favoured segments of the Ukrainian society which are already facing difficulties in adapting to the changed economic and political situation.

Tourism

Ukraine has considerable potential for international tourism, notably in the capital city Kiev, Lvov and in the Crimean and the Carpathian regions. The tourist sector needs above all new construction programs, investments, and stronger rule of law which would allow the establishment of new hotel chains in Ukraine. This is a matter of particular concern for the rapporteur when one considers that the European football championship, co-organised by Ukraine and Poland, is in 2012.

Education

Ukraine has a good track record of satisfactory results in educational tests and literacy. The rapporteur insists that quality higher education needs to be preserved and can improve by student exchange programs with the EUs and investments in the local infrastructures. Moreover, the participation of Ukraine in the European research framework programmes should be enhanced while Ukrainian scientists should be given easier access to the EU. The Ukrainian authorities should also remove all obstacles which hamper the full recognition of university diplomas issues by recognised European academic institutions.

Conclusions

The services area is essential for the EU and the Ukrainian economies. Ukraine has no choice but to reform this sector. The short-run transition hardship will result in a modernized, more transparent, open and competitive service market.

Ukraine's capacity to deliver world-class quality services would establish its international reputation and prove the country's ability to rise to the challenge. The European Union must be ready to support Ukraine’s efforts both technically and financially but Ukraine must also do its share of domestic reforms and careful opening process.

PROĊEDURA

Titolu	Ftehim bejn il-KE u l-Ukraina fir-rigward taż-żamma ta’ l-impenji fil-kummerċ tas-servizzi mniżżla fil-Ftehim ta’ Sħubija u Kooperazzjoni
Referenzi	COM(2008)0220 – C6-0202/2008 – 2008/0087(CNS)
Data meta ġie kkonsultat il-PE	23.5.2008
Kumitat responsabbli        Data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja	INTA 4.6.2008
Kumitat(i) mitlub(a) jagħti/u opinjoni        Data tat-tħabbir fis-seduta plenarja	AFET 4.6.2008
Opinjoni mhux mogħtija        Data tad-deċiżjoni	AFET 3.6.2008
Rapporteur(s)        Data tal-ħatra	Zbigniew Zaleski 27.5.2008
Eżami fil-kumitat	23.6.2008
Data ta’ l-adozzjoni	9.9.2008
Riżultat tal-votazzjoni finali	+: –: 0:	25 0 0
Membri preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali	Carlos Carnero González, Daniel Caspary, Françoise Castex, Christofer Fjellner, Béla Glattfelder, Ignasi Guardans Cambó, Jacky Hénin, Alain Lipietz, Marusya Ivanova Lyubcheva, Erika Mann, Helmuth Markov, David Martin, Vural Öger, Georgios Papastamkos, Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Peter Šťastný, Robert Sturdy, Gianluca Susta, Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, Corien Wortmann-Kool
Sostitut(i) preżenti għall-votazzjoni finali	Jean-Pierre Audy, Albert Deß, Elisa Ferreira, Vasco Graça Moura, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Rovana Plumb, Salvador Domingo Sanz Palacio, Zbigniew Zaleski
Data tat-tressiq	11.9.2008