付録3 EU産業閣僚理事会決定(1999年11月9日)
12516/99 (Presse 330)
PRESS RELEASE
Subject:
2214th Council meeting
-INDUSTRY-
Brussels, 9 November 1999
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<Extract of the press release>
SHIPBUILDING
REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPBUILDING SITUATION - CONCLUSIONS
Commissioner LIIKANEN presented a report on the situation in world shipbuilding.
This was the first report based on the Article 12 of Regulation 1540/98 which requires the Commission to present such a report regularly to the Council.
According to the report which analyses the overall situation, as well as specific contracts in the shipbuilding sector, the sector is facing a critical situation. There is a gap between supply and demand, largely due to a considerable extension of world capacity, mainly in Korea. The Korean share of the world shipbuilding market today is about 35 per cent. The excess capacity has led to a decrease of the world market prices by 15-35 per cent , in particular in the lower added-value categories where products are underpriced. At the same time, the Korean market share in this sector, e.g. in container ships, has increased from 15 to 70 per cent in 1997-99. The Commission is currently investigating 60 specific orders for ships. So far, nine orders placed in Korea have been examined, and all of those orders are considered to make a loss of 15-40 per cent.
Commissioner LIIKANEN summed up his report by underlining the necessity for the IMF to pursue its investigation regarding the use by Korea of the IMF-led rescue package, and emphasizing that other measures, such as action under WTO, could be considered.
On the basis of this report, the Council had a general debate and adopted the following conclusions:
"THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having examined the first Commission's report on the Situation in World Shipbuilding.
Shares the Commission's view that the sector is facing a critical situation world-wide with very low prices and a serious overcapacity caused by the Republic of Korea, which severely affects the European shipbuilding industry.
Expresses its serious concern on the results of the Commission investigations which indicate that contracts have been awarded, in the Republic of Korea at prices below cost, thus causing damage to the interests of EU yards.
Takes note that further investigation is necessary to examine to what extent these practices are incompatible with existing WTO rules and with the conditions of the IMF-led assistance to the Republic of Korea.
Agrees that action should continue to be taken to address the situation and
calls on:
- The Commission to pursue its efforts to establish a level playing field for the sector by immediately engaging the Republic of Korea in constructive consultations with a view to halting the unfair competition,
- Industry, Member States and the Commission to seek for as much detailed evidence as possible of the alleged anti-competitive behaviour, in order to take appropriate action under the WTO,
- Member States to urge the IMF and the World Bank to continue to investigate whether the conditions and assumptions under which the IMF-led rescue packages are given, are fully respected,
- Member States and the Commission to pursue their efforts to establish a level playing field for the sector in the appropriate international fora, including the OECD, in order to enforce, without any delay, fair competition rules.
The Council welcomes the determination of the Commission to continue to fulfil its obligations under Article 12 ( 6) of Council Regulation (EC) n - 1540/98 of 29 June 1998 and to report on developments as soon as necessary."
