MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the regulation applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (GSP)
8.3.2010
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure
Joe Higgins, Helmut Scholz on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0181/2010
B7‑0182/2010
European Parliament resolution on the regulation applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences (GSP)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and in particular the ‘enabling clause’ of 1979,
– having regard to its legislative resolution of 5 June 2008 on the proposal for a Council regulation applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 (2007/0289(CNS)),
– having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008,
– having regard to Chapter 1 of Title V of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),
– having regard to Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
– having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the ‘enabling clause’ is the WTO legal basis for the generalised system of preferences (GSP),
B. whereas, since 1971, the Community has granted trade preferences to developing countries, within its scheme of generalised tariff preferences,
C. whereas Parliament was consulted on the Commission proposal for a Council regulation on GSP for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 (COM(2007)0857),
D. whereas the Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009,
E. whereas, pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title V TEU, the European Union’s action on the international scene must be guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law and the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and must foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty,
F. whereas, pursuant to Article 207 TFEU, Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (OLP), must adopt the measures defining the framework for implementing the common commercial policy,
G. whereas the current GSP regulation will expire on 31 December 2011,
1. Notes that the generalised system of preferences allows developed countries to offer non‑reciprocal preferential treatment in respect of products originating in developing countries;
2. Notes that the creation of the GSP by the European Community in 1971 was explained as being an instrument to resolve trade imbalances between developed and developing countries and was expected to contribute to their sustainable development;
3. Calls on the Commission to present its proposals for GSP extension to Parliament by 1 June 2010;
4. Calls for civil society organisations and the labour movement in the respective countries be actively involved in the decision‑making process for new regulations; highlights the need for the advice of those grassroots organisations to be formally integrated into all stages of the decision‑making process for granting and, if necessary, withdrawing, GSP+;
5. Stresses that in order for GSP+ to meet its objectives, the new regulations should extend the duration of GSP+ for beneficiary countries; calls on the Commission, therefore, to extend the duration of GSP+ to six years; stresses that the reluctance of a GSP+ recipient country to accept EU conditions governing the signing of a free trade agreement must have no implications for that country’s GSP+ status;
6. Stresses that all countries benefiting from the GSP+ scheme should, under Article 15(1), not only ratify but also effectively implement all the 27 ILO and UN conventions listed in Annex III to the GSP Regulation;
7. Condemns the severe breaches of human rights in countries such as Sri Lanka and emphasises that the discrimination against the Tamil minority, as well as severe breaches of freedom of opinion, are still ongoing, acquired fresh momentum after the presidential elections on 6 January 2010 and should lead towards acceleration of the process of immediate GSP+ withdrawal from Sri Lanka;
8. Considers that no double standards must be applied in granting access to the GSP+ system; points out that the ongoing killings of trade unionists in Colombia and the recent discovery near La Macarena of the single largest mass grave so far found in that country, containing the bodies of an estimated 2 000 government opponents, are intolerable and clear violations of GSP+ rules; considers this sufficient evidence at least to open a thorough investigation into examine Colombia’s compliance with the GSP+ rules;
9. Expresses its deep concern and dissatisfaction at the lack of transparency and democratic accountability in the initiation and conduct of the investigative process; calls, therefore, on the Commission to amend the Regulation in order to ensure that Parliament and the Member States are fully informed and involved at all stages of the procedures for granting access to GSP+, and that Parliament is consulted and actively involved before countries are admitted to the list of beneficiary countries, before investigations are launched into or decisions are taken on the temporary withdrawal of GSP+ from a country;
10. Urges the Commission to draft a report on the status of the implementation of the 27 conventions by all the beneficiary countries, and to present this to the Council and Parliament before the end of the period of application of the GSP Regulation and in time for the discussions on the subsequent GSP Regulation;
11. Asks the Commission to make provision in its revised GSP regulation for regular assessment of compliance by each beneficiary country with its commitments under GSP+, taking into account the views of civil society and the labour movement in the respective countries, and thus to ensure that none of the reasons set out in Article 15(1) and (2) and Article 16(1) and (2) for the temporary withdrawal of preferential arrangements apply; calls for that annual report be sent to Parliament, the Council and other organisations which submitted their views;
12. Calls on the Commission to conduct an impact assessment on the effects of the GSP over the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009, and in particular on its impact on the poorest social strata in the beneficiary countries, the expansion of employment, wage levels and democratic and trade union rights; encourages the labour movement and civil society organisations to conduct additional impact assessments; states that the studies must subsequently be submitted to Parliament and the Council; states that the new proposal for a revised GSP regulation must duly take into account the results of the impact assessments;
13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.