Motion for a resolution - B7-0290/2011Motion for a resolution
B7-0290/2011
European Parliament

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on EU-Japan trade relations

4.5.2011

further to Question for Oral Answer B7‑0000/2011
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure

Helmut Scholz, Paul Murphy on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

Procedure : 2011/2625(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0290/2011
Texts tabled :
B7-0290/2011
Debates :
Votes :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0290/2011

European Parliament resolution on EU-Japan trade relations

The European Parliament,

–    having regard to the Mutual Recognition Agreement between the EU and Japan[1],

 

–   having regard to Agreement on Cooperation on Anti-competitive Activities between the EU and Japan[2],

 

–   having regard the Agreement on Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters between the European Community and Japan[3],

 

–   having regard to the ten-year Action Plan adopted at 10th EU-Japan Summit, held in Brussels in 8 December 2001,

 

–   having regard to the joint statements of the last two EU-Japan Summits – Tokyo, 28 April 2010, Prague, 4 May 2009,

–   having regard to the report ‘Copenhagen Economics: assessment of barriers to trade and investment between the EU and Japan’, of 30 November 2009,

–   having regard to the results of the Commission's public consultation on EU - Japan Trade relations,

–   having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2010 on trade policy in the context of climate change imperatives[4],

–   having regard its resolution of 25 November 2010 on human rights and social and environmental standards in international trade agreements[5],

–   having regard its resolution of 25 November 2010 on corporate social responsibility in international trade agreements[6],

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Japan has recently faced the worst natural disaster of its history, followed by a nuclear disaster that is far from being under control, and whose consequences cannot be calculated so far,

B.  whereas there the signing of a trade agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea has led to an increased interest of the Government of Japan to intensify its trade relations with the EU,

C. whereas both the Union and Japan have generally low tariffs on goods; and already more than two thirds of the Union’s export value to Japan is duty-free, and more than one third of Japan’s export to the EU is duty-free,

D. whereas questions of investment and trade in services need to be raised in trade discussions with Japan, ensuring that further market opening does not compromise either European nor Japanese rules on the protection of public services, environment and cultural diversity,

E.  whereas studies indicate that the impact of non-tariff barriers in trade with Japan is much higher than the impact of tariffs, partly explaining the relatively low volume of trade between the Union and Japan,

F.  whereas the regulatory environment, standards and conformity assessment in Japan are seen as the biggest obstacles for accessing the Japanese market, increasing the complexity and uncertainty of economic operators,

1.  Considers that the recent crisis faced by Japan is not a reason to hastily accelerate the decision to start negotiations Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Union and Japan, but that genuine mechanisms of solidarity are more appropriate therefore to help the Japanese people;

2.  Calls on the Commission to develop a special mechanism addressing trade aspects in order to contribute to a quicker economic recovery of countries which are victims of natural disasters;

3.  Is very concerned by the consequences of the disaster for public health and environment both in Japan and abroad, and hopes that the nuclear disaster will lead to adequate adaptation of the development model both in Japan, in the EU and elsewhere;

4.  Asks the Commission to concentrate all efforts on assuring that trade with Japan can continue in full respect of health concerns on both sides;

5.  Believes that new bilateral or regional free trade initiatives between major economic powers, such as the EU and Japan, risk undermining the functioning of the rule-based multilateral trade system even further;

6.  Calls on the Commission to actively engage with Japan to contribute to a global reflection on the subject of the reform of the WTO and the global governance for a more inclusive and fair international trade;

7.  Takes note of the increased interest of the EU and its member states in the public procurement and services markets; considers that many barriers in public procurement and trade in services have their roots in legitimate national regulations, but can only be reduced through mutual understanding in approaches to regulatory frameworks;

8.  Asks the Commission to meet the demands of citizens both in the EU and Japan by take prioritising the protection of environmental and the quality of life of all citizens in trade related negotiations;

9.  Calls on the Member States and the Commission to support and promote new initiatives aiming to contribute to tackling climate change, promoting human rights and social and environmental standards, and to promote corporate social responsibility, in all trade discussions with Japan;

10. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to extend the negotiations with Japan to cooperation on ensuring energy supply from renewable energy sources;

11. Asks the Commission to present a comprehensive sustainability and impact assessment containing a detailed evaluation of possible advantages and disadvantages of any sort of enhancement of EU - Japan bilateral trade relations, before making any commitments;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and to the government and parliament of Japan.

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