The Commission today agreed to propose the elimination of all remaining restrictions on imports of 62 categories of textiles and clothing products from other countries belonging to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This proposal is an important step in the progressive liberalisation of textiles and clothing trade agreed in the Uruguay Round, and shows the European Union's determination to implement faithfully its obligations under the WTO agreements. The total value of EU imports of textiles and clothing was EUR 12.9 billion in 1999. In accordance with WTO dispositions, the proposal must be adopted by the EU's Council and notified to the WTO before the end of 2000. The liberalisation will take effect as of 1st January 2002.
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: The Commission proposal gives a powerful signal to our partners in the WTO, particularly developing countries, of our commitment to our multilateral obligations and to the progressive and fair dismantling of textiles import restrictions.
A Commission report on the access offered by third countries to their textiles and clothing markets also published today, shows that EU producers face a vast array of restrictive measures - very high tariffs as well as non-tariff barriers -, that in a number of cases virtually prohibit access to overseas markets. In order to tackle this situation, the Commission tabled a proposal to the EU's Council on 9th June for a mandate to start bilateral market access negotiations with third countries on a mutually beneficial basis.
Please note that the list of textiles and clothing products to be fully liberalised under the proposal, brief comparisons on access to textiles and clothing markets, the report on market access as well as a comparison of tariffs applied and bound in the WTO by the EU and its main trading partners, can be downloaded from our DG Trade website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/goods/textile/whatson.htm
European Commission, Trade DG, Information Unit Email: eis@dg1.cec.be WWW: http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade Fax: +32-2-296-9854:
