Activities of Georgios PAPASTAMKOS related to 2007/2184(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Towards a reform of the World Trade Organisation (debate)
Amendments (15)
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the WTO constitutes a key forum for the better management of globalisation and fairer distribution of its benefits,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the various bilateral and regional trade negotiations recently initiated by the EU with various partners across the world may on no account beshall be complementary and not an alternative to the conclusion of the Doha Round,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates its appeal to all parties concerned to show flexibility in order to revive the Doha Round and reach an agreement that is complete, balanced and beneficial both to the recovery of international trade and world growth and to the development of the poorest countries on the planet; regrets that the EU's substantial offer has not been matched up to now by equivalent concessions by other important trading partners;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that the proposed exercise should focus first and foremost on the very aims of the multilateral trade system, to ensure that they are mutually supportive and consistent with the action being taken by other international organisations; considers in particular that the coordination of WTO activities with those of the ILO, UNEP, WHO and UNCTAD should be strengthened, in order to ensure greater consistency in the decision-making process of those organisations; takes the view that, in this regard, consideration could be given to the possibility of granting the ILO observer status and of setting up a Committee on Social Affairs;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Supports an incentives-based approach concerning the observance of environmental and social standards by WTO members but equally calls for the examination of WTO compatible measures for addressing social and environmental dumping;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on those participating in the debate to question the limits of the approach whereby trade negotiations are held in long-term ‘rounds’, involving all member countries in discussions on a wide range of subjects on the basis of a ‘single undertaking’; acknowledges the historical merits of this approach in establishing and developing the multilateral trade system but believes that other, less ambitious butand allowing for progressive liberalisation, reciprocal and mutually beneficial engagements; believes however that in areas where sufficient progress has been achieved, (as it is the case currently for Trade Facilitation) recourse could be made to other, (deletion) more flexible and effective formulas should be preferred in future;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers it neither realistic nor desirable to call into question the principle of consensus in the WTO decision-making process, which guarantees, unlike majority (or weighted) voting, the equality of all members; takes the view, however, that various solutions could be examined with a view to facilitating, on a case-by- case basis, the emergence of such consensus;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers it essential to increase the active participation of developing countries, so that they feel fully represented in the negotiating process and are able to identify, express and defend their own trade interests, for instance by introducing a system of representation by coalition rather than by a set group of countries, and by earmarking resources that are sufficient to develop the knowledgeby earmarking resources that are sufficient to develop the knowledge and technical know-how of those countries; stresses that adequate resources are also necessary for developing countries to effectively implement WTO rules, adjust to reforms and, technical know-how of those countrieshus, better integrate into the world trading system;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that the recurrent question of the establishment of a kind of WTO ‘restricted Council’ or ‘Steering Committee’ to prepare and facilitate consensus-based decisions in the General Council should be looked into more closely; questions though how representation on a case by case basis could be achieved and stresses that there is a strong need for such a body to be representative and internally transparent;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Wishes to see the issue of the role of the WTO Secretariat and Director-General carefully considered; queries the limits of an excessively stringent application of the principle of the management of the system by the governments of the member countries (the member-driven organisation concept); notes, however, that granting powers of initiative to the WTO bodies in order to promote the 'collective' interest, raises issues of democratic legitimacy, accountability and transparency;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Is convinced that the failure to differentiate sufficiently between developing countries, in spite of the wide variety in economic development levels and the specific needs of those countries, could be an obstacle to adopting effective measures to benefit these countries in accordance with the stated objective of the Doha Round; and is to the detriment of developing countries which are mostly in need; urges advanced developing countries to take up their share of responsibility already during the current Round and make contributions commensurate to their level of development and (sectoral) competitiveness;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Points out that the Dispute Settlement Understanding has, since 1997, been the subject of negotiations designed to clarify some of its rules and improve their application; regrets the prolonged lack of results in these negotiations; points out the divergent positioning of WTO members on the nature of the dispute settlement mechanism and its future direction (more judicial/diplomatic); supports the EU proposal for an enhancement of the autonomy of the dispute settlement bodies;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that the WTO dispute settlement mechanism has, overall, fulfilled its role successfully up to now, but that certain adjustments are necessary, in particular with regard to the implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the dispute settlement body; supports that the judicialisation of the dispute settlement system has enhanced the credibility of WTO commitments, placing WTO members on a more equal footing;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Considers that in the WTO framework positive integration should also be promoted among its members, in addition to the reduction or elimination of trade barriers (negative integration);