RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMITTEE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE on the association agreements with countries of Central and Eastern Europe (adopted unanimously at the 292nd Session held on 7 June 1991) (91/C 197/03)

THE ECSC CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE,

Having heard reports of its Subcommittees for General Objectives and Market and Prices,

Having taken note of the statement made by the representative of the Commission,

1. SUPPORTS the Commission's policy of providing assistance to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe during their current phase of trasformation and transition from a centralized system to a market economy regime which takes into account social questions;

2.CONSIDERS that this transition cannot take place without profound restructuring of the coal and steel industries of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the gradual abolition of subsidies, the progressive adoption of free market principles and the establishment of environmental protection measures; it being understood that these various measures should take into account social questions;

3.RECALLS, in this regard, the offer of partnership and cooperation which was made by the Community undertaking to the undertakings of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe;

4.HOPES that the Commission will take this offer into consideration in its current negotiations with these countries and will facilitate its implementation through Community funds and programmes;

5.INSISTS that during the transitional period required to achieve the objective of economic liberalization, all parties should try to maintain the conditions of an orderly market which conforms with the provisions of the ECSC Treaty. Any unfair practices wich caused an abrupt change in the present level of Central and East European coal and steel imports intor the Community during this period would oblige Community producers to have recourse to the means of defence (countervailing and anti-dumping measures) provided for by GATT and ECSC regulations;

6.REQUESTS, in this regard, that the Commission negotiate, within the framework of the association agreements with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the abolition of tariff barriers according to criteria of transparency and reciprocity. If for political reasons a certain asymmetry in the rhythm of tariff reductions cannot be avoided, such asymmetry might be tolerable, provided it is short-term only;

7.CONSIDERS it as indispensable that these agreements allow the Commission to follow very closely developments concerning the restructuring of the coal and steel industries in the Central and East European countries and to intervene rapidly and efficiently should measures which distort competition be maintained or initiated. In particular, the Commission should make sure that, after a period of transition, these countries adopt and scrupulously respect an aid code similar to that which applies in the Community;

8.HOPES that the Commission will inform the Committee in good time of developments in the current negotiations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.