Baltic States: Trade Concessions

HL Deb 25 June 1997 vol 580 cc167-8WA

The Earl of Carlisle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consult with their EU colleagues to grant more favourable terms to enable Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to export more of their manufacturing and farm products into EU countries.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)

The Free Trade Agreements between the EU and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania already provide for duty free access to the EU market for all industrial goods except for certain textile imports from Latvia and Lithuania which are subject to annual tariff-free ceilings. There are no restrictions on textile imports from Estonia.

For agricultural products, the Free Trade Agreements provide for quotas for imports of certain products at a reduced tariff rate.

The Government are keen to see improved access to the EU market for the three Baltic countries. Wherever possible we argue in the EU for improved trade concessions.