Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-03-01-Speech-4-038"
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"en.20010301.2.4-038"2
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"Mr President, in view of the fact that Mr Patten has returned to the Chamber we cannot actually say that his infrequent presence amongst us is a measure of the Commission’s commitment to these issues. Nonetheless, those of us who have recently visited the area in question – I myself have just returned from Argentina and Chile – certainly wish to convey how very sceptically the European Union’s involvement in relations with Latin America is perceived. These relations are quite inadequate, and scepticism is particularly marked in the field of the social economy of small businesses and trade unions. I had the opportunity to discuss the situation with them just this week in Argentina and Chile.
I cannot but agree in principle with the report being debated today. In general I also support everything aimed at increasing economic and trade relations with the countries in the area. In addition, I am in favour of the involvement of civil society in this and other aspects of the association agreements.
Nonetheless, this support is tinged with criticism. Although reference has been made – for instance by Mr Marset – to international agreements on ethnic minorities, we believe that the fact that our group’s amendments have not been acted on in this and other areas is a serious shortcoming. True, progress has been made in the field of workers’ rights, incorporating ILO conventions. However, there has been no reference to the code of conduct for multinational companies adopted in the OECD. It has been argued that that is not Europe whereas in fact European companies are setting up in the countries concerned. No environmental measures have been adopted either. Furthermore, the new negotiating mandate does not include the specific references we had requested to structured and institutionalised involvement of civil society in this political dialogue.
We therefore endorse in principle what has been said in today’s debate on the association agreements. However, we wish to reiterate our criticism of other aspects we consider essential."@en1
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