TNAG-0629-FCO40-777-Effect-of-GATT-Multi-Fibre-Arrangement-on-Hong-Kong-negotiat-1988 — Page 124

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in Europe. They are an absolute prerequisite to the Community's continuing participation in à special international arrangement for

textiles.

2. More favourable treatment for small supplier countries and/or newcomers

to the market

This question could be resolved if supplier countries having a dominant position on the Community market were to accept, within limits which would be defined, a more equitable redistribution of import opportunities.

This policy, which is of fundamental importance for the Community,

can be implemented within the framework of the present MFA. If this

view were contested by other participating countries, however, the Community would have no alternative but to seek formal changes

in the actual terms of the Arrangement.

In any event, the important point so far as the Community is concerned is that its stabilization objectives be equitably attained by means of bilateral agreements. All such agreements must be concluded by the end of 1977 and should the bilateral negotiations not have been successfully completed by that date the Community will be obliged

to take appropriate measures to ensure the attainment of its stabilization

objectives.

3. Other requests

Reference periods

Annex B 1 (c) lays down exceptions solely for exporting countries for determining reference periods. This is an obvious element of imbalance. The Community considers that importing countries should also have the right to cite abnormal circumstances justifying an exception to the rule laid down in Annex B 1 (a).

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