§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer of 29 July,Official Report, columns 653–61, what are the criteria used 19W for the inclusion of a country in (a) Lomé convention preferential trading arrangements, (b) the European Community generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) list and (c) the European Community preferential trade agreements.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe following criteria apply to the inclusion of countries in preferential trading arrangements:
Lome convéntion
The Lomé convention is open to states whose economic structures and productive capacity are comparable with those of existing ACP member states. Membership is by approval of the EC/ACP Council of Ministers.
Generalised Scheme of Preferences
The European Community offers generalised preferences to all the member countries of the "Group of 77", which is made up of all those designated as developing countries by the United Nations, as well as to certain territories or countries dependent on Community countries such as Hong Kong, Macao and French Polynesia.
Other Preferential Trading Agreements
The EC has also agreed preferential trading arrangements with 13 Mediterranean partners during the course of the last 25 years, some of which are aimed at achieving a customs union between the contracting parties, and some at furthering the economic and social development of the Mediterranean partner as well as improving trade and other relations. They are the result of individual negotiation, and no general criteria apply.