Proposition 53K2576

Projet de loi portant assentiment à l'Accord de libre-échange entre l'Union européenne et ses Etats membres, d'une part, et la République de Corée, d'autre part, fait à Bruxelles le 6 octobre 2010.

General information ¶

Submitted by

The Senate

Submission date

Nov. 14, 2012

Official page

Visit

Status

Adopted

Requirement

Simple

Subjects

European Union South Korea international agreement free-trade agreement

Voting ¶

Voted to adopt

CD&V Vooruit LE PS | SP Open Vld N-VA LDD MR VB

Abstained from voting

Groen Ecolo

Contact form ¶

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Discussion ¶

Jan. 24, 2013 | Plenary session (Chamber of representatives)

Full source

Mr. Speaker, with your repeated graceful leave and the kindness of our colleagues, I will once again refer to the written report. I ask the word in the general discussion.

You can speak immediately, since you are the only one.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, colleagues, I am not obsessed with the tribune, far from it, but I wish, however, that the discussions on important issues would not simply go indifferently through the House. Since then, I have spoken with respect to Croatia, and I would like to do the same with regard to Korea.

What is ahead is a far-reaching and unique – at least by date and realization – agreement between the European Union and a country. Korea is an important country, although it is still divided. Korea belongs to the so-called Next Eleven, the countries that come above and beyond the BRIC countries, and it is a very important partner in Asia, making it also an important economic partner for everyone.

I will only give one example. Today, Korea has a well-being rate that could bring it more and more to the level of the less-favoured countries in the European Union, while Korea in 1960 still had a GDP equivalent to that of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The progress in that country has been enormous.

Why should we approve the present treaty? Well, we have failed to conclude a general free trade agreement between the Union and some other countries. Therefore, we have concluded a separate free trade agreement with Korea.

A tribute must be paid to Karel De Gucht, who has extraordinarily succeeded in liberalizing 97 % of trade and who will obtain 99 % within this and four years, despite all the protectionist guarantees that one might fear with such countries.

I looked at the figures. In the first nine months of the implementation of the agreement with Korea, trade between the EU countries increased by 6.7 billion, or 35%, respectively. The obstacles are, so to speak, melting and there was a great willingness to trade on both sides.

The agreement entered into force on 1 July 2011. I know there is a Belgian way to approve all of this. Seven parliaments must go through this. In the report, I pointed out that colleague de Donnea also said that the COCOF should also give its consent if necessary.

In any case, imagine that in Europe of 506 million inhabitants the COCOF vetoes and the treaty could not be ratified. O COCOF, O Mores! But the bilateral agreement is second-best here, in the sense that the big, global and multilateral agreement that aims at liberalizing world trade has not yet existed.

The Doha Round is and remains, unfortunately, blocked and we are obliged to use this technique, as we did with, for example, Colombia, Peru, Central America and I suspect soon, and very importantly, the negotiations with the United States and later with the 79 ACP countries.

In this matter, it is very important that the free trade agreement was concluded at a time when one responded a little squeezed. In an economic and financial crisis, one responds protectionistly. Here, on the other hand, the border with Korea has been opened, trade relations have been encouraged, and a liberal policy has been established, whoever thinks otherwise.

In turn, South Korea is an example of economic development, but the other elements of a democracy have also been respected. I and my group support this treaty, but insist that Europe continues to systematically play and maintain its global role.

Other negotiations, and the most difficult ones, namely those with the United States, are coming. We must be able to concrete this for the benefit of the people to whom we all address this.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. De Croo for his support and the support of several other political groups.

I would like to emphasize two elements.

First, a bilateral agreement is a second choice and we must therefore indeed continue to work on a multilateral agreement. So far, however, the Doharonde remains blocked.

Second, we will try to support the European Commissioner for Trade to start other negotiations. It may be possible with Japan, India, the United States and other partners. Foreign trade is important for stronger growth in Europe. We will therefore try to go in that direction. There are other possibilities in the European Union, but foreign trade with such important partners can ensure stronger growth in Europe and thus also in Belgium.

Le Président: Somebody asks-t-il yet the word? (No to)

Does anyone ask for the word? (Not to)

The general discussion is closed.

The general discussion is closed.

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