European Parliament
Elena Băsescu  (PPE ),
in writing
. –
(RO)
I voted for this resolution because the EU-Russia agreement on the introduction or increase by the Russian Federation of export duties on raw materials is sufficient to protect the EU against additional restrictions in terms of export duties. At a time when the Russian Federation thinks that it can apply new export duties or additional ones to products not included in the WTO Schedule of Concessions and Commitments on Goods, it is important for the EU to obtain guarantees bilaterally that increased duties will not be introduced on raw materials which are of major existing or potential interest. This applies particularly to raw materials for which Russia has more than 10% of global production or exports, and for which there is a risk of tension relating to global supplies.
Although the rapporteur noted a number of shortcomings with regard to the commitments made by the Russian Federation through this Agreement, it is still useful as a stop-gap until a stricter treaty on trade in raw materials is concluded with the Russian Federation.

