B3-1423, 1424 and 1425/93

Resolution on the blocking of the interim agreement with Bulgaria

The European Parliament,

A.whereas the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria was initialled on 22 December 1992, signed on 8 March 1993; whereas it is expected to be ratified during this part-session,

B.whereas it already approved the interim agreement, which relates strictly to trade (Article 113 of the EEC Treaty) in April 1993; whereas, however, the Council has been blocking its adoption for months,

C.whereas the Council's action is due to the fact that certain governments, for purely strategic reasons within the Council, have made a link between the signing of this interim agreement and the adoption of a regulation on decision-making procedures for Community instruments of commercial defence; whereas this wrongly gives the impression that there is a desire to penalize a country which attaches great importance to relations with the Community and gives priority in its foreign policy to its integration into the European democratic institutions,

D.whereas equivalent agreements with all Eastern and Central European countries except Bulgaria have already entered into force,

E.aware that the Council's treatment has affected Bulgaria unfavourably and has made a very negative impression on the Bulgarian authorities and public opinion; also aware that one of its clear wishes is thus being completely ignored,

F.taking into account the changed climate in the Community, and wishing to stimulate free trade and sustainable growth of the economies of Eastern and Central Europe while respecting the environment,

G.whereas the principle of equal opportunities and conditions must be applied to all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, unless particular political reservations arise, which is not currently the case with Bulgaria,

H.noting that Bulgaria is making a difficult and painful transition from a command economy to a market economy, labouring under the additional burden of immense costs arising from the UN embargo against the former Yugoslavia,

1.Severely criticizes the Council for blocking the interim agreement with Bulgaria, and in particular the Member States which are linking this agreement with commercial defence procedures;

2.Believes that the Council's behaviour undermines the Community's credibility in Eastern and Central Europe;

3.Calls on the European Council to give a more detailed account, at its forthcoming meeting, of its policy with regard to south-eastern Europe, which was only briefly mentioned in Copenhagen, both as regards association agreements and the future prospects of Community integration for the countries in that region and as regards the commitment to help the process of restoring peace and stability in the whole of the Balkan region and south-eastern Europe;

4.Calls on the Council to propose measures to support Bulgaria in overcoming the serious damage suffered as a result of compliance with the embargo on the former Yugoslavia;

5.Calls on the European Council at its forthcoming meeting to instruct the Council to put an end to its blocking action;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the European Council, the Council, the Commission and the Bulgarian parliament and government.