付録15 ECプレス発表(2000年11月29日)
IP/00/1379
Brussels, 29 November 2000
Commission takes clear position on aid to shipbuilding and reinforces its position against South Korean unfair price practices
The European Commission today took a clear stance on aid to shipbuilding in the Community and took also a strong position to counter unfair practices by South Korea in this sector. Further to the adoption of its third report on the situation in world shipbuilding (see 1P/00/1301) on 15 November 2000, and prior to the Industry Council on 5 December where this issue will be discussed by Member States, the Commission stated that it opposes a prolongation of operating aid for shipbuilding, which will expire on 31 December 2000 as provided for in Regulation 1540/98 adopted by the Council. The Commission is currently finalising its examination of the European shipbuilding industry's request to open an investigation into unfair practices in South Korea under the Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR). If no satisfactory negotiated solution can be reached with Korea, the Commission will report to the Council by 1 May 2001, proposing to bring a panel against South Korea in the WTO and to establish a defensive temporary support mechanism specifically designed to counter unfair South Korean practices for a period necessary for the conclusion of the WTO procedure. This mechanism would be limited to those market segments where it has been demonstrated that EU industry has been directly injured by unfair Korean trade practices. Finally, the Commission declares its willingness to allow greater use of State aid for R&D in the shipbuilding sector. The position will be presented to the above-mentioned Council meeting.
Based on a joint proposal by Commissioners Monti (Competition), Lamy (Trade), and Liikanen (Enterprise) with a contribution also from Commissioner Busquin(Research), the Commission agreed on the following position:
- The Commission is against a prolongation of operating aid in support of contracts for shipbuilding, which will expire after 31 December 2000 as provided for in the Regulation 1540/98.
- Following the deliberations at the Industry Council of 5 December 2000 the Commission is ready to explore the possibilities for greater use of national support for research and development, including appropriate changes to Regulation 1540/98.
- The Commission refers also to the substantial resources which are being devoted to research on the shipbuilding sector in the context of the Community research framework programme.
- If, in the framework of the Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) procedure, the Commission does not achieve a negotiated solution with Korea satisfactory for the EU, the Commission will report to the Council by 1 May 2001, and will propose to bring the case to the WTO in order to seek remedy against unfair Korean practices. In addition the Commission will, at the same time, propose a defensive temporary support mechanism specifically designed to counter unfair Korean practices for a period necessary for the conclusion of the WTO procedure. This mechanism will be limited to those market segments where it has been demonstrated that EU industry has been directly injured by unfair Korean trade practices.
Background
In its report adopted on 15 November, the Commission concluded that operating aid under Regulation 1540/98 has not provided a solution to the problem of South Korean pricing practices. However, it committed itself to examine, as soon as possible, the possibilities to propose measures to address the Korean problem in accordance with Regulation 1540/98. This examination has now been conducted.
It is recalled that in the report it is also proposed to pursue the following actions:
- the Commission to continue with its monitoring of the market situation;
- the Commission to examine industry's complaint under the TBR as rapidly as possible, and, if accepted, to pursue this rigorously with a view to a possible WTO action;
- in parallel, the Commission to remain open to eventual proposals from South Korea that would meet the concerns of the EU;
- the Commission and the Member States to pursue efforts to establish a level international playing field for the shipbuilding industry in the OECD;
- the Commission and the Member States to continue to encourage the IMF to ensure that the restructuring of Korean shipyards is closely monitored and assessed;
- the Commission to continue to work closely with the industry on competitiveness issues.
