Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-11-22-Speech-4-084-000"
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"en.20121122.9.4-084-000"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, recent developments in relations between the EU and China in the solar industry are, sadly, symptomatic of the general trade situation between these two partners.
Today, we are debating, on the one hand, the investigations initiated by the Commission on possible anti-dumping measures, and on the other hand, the reaction from China, which has initiated similar investigations. Action is long overdue. The European solar industry is undoubtedly an important and growing high-tech sector in Europe. In Austria, too, there are leading manufacturers who are safeguarding key jobs in this future-oriented industry and creating new ones.
These companies have a crucial role to play in the attainment of our renewable energy targets and must certainly be protected. I have a general suggestion to make about trade relations between the EU and China, for although the feud between the EU and the Chinese solar industry has triggered this ongoing and simmering conflict, it is not the fundamental problem.
If I may say so, the solar industry is merely the tip of the iceberg. The main question that I would therefore address to the Commission today is this: to what extent is China generally willing to view Europe as a partner in future? From my perspective, it is clear that the European Union and China must in future be strategic partners who meet on equal terms. It must be a strategic partnership, built on mutual respect and trust. What I believe is missing at present is this mutual respect, and without mutual respect, there can be no trust!
Resolute action is needed here at long last. Of course, other questions arise in this context as well: what approach will the Commission pursue in future in order to develop this mutual trust? How can we give more effective protection and support, more generally, to European industries that lead the field globally? No one wants protectionism, but we do need protection and fairness. The photovoltaic industry is vitally important to Europe and, as Daniel Caspary has already said, the industry is now in dire straits. Even so, it is still creating thousands of jobs directly and indirectly and embodies European know-how. That is why we must ensure that the rights steps are taken. Europe must show its strength here at last."@en1
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