EU trade chief urges quick action to unblock Chinese clothes
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-03 13:37

European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson Friday called on European Union (EU) member states to take quick actions to unblock stockpiled Chinese clothes to serve the interest of Europe.

In a statement after a meeting with representatives of the 25 EU members, he also urged the EU countries to approve as soon as possible the proposal put forward by the EU Commission on unblocking some 80 million items of Chinese textiles held at major European ports. The details of the proposal, which needs the approval of the majority of EU members, are yet to be publicized.

Mandelson's statement came after Friday's meeting failed to reach consensus on unblocking the Chinese textile products. He said the talks will continue over the weekend.

He said most of the EU members had agreed to allow the stockpiled Chinese textile products to enter their markets, but still differed on how to unblock these products. However, he expressed his belief that these divergences could be removed.

Mandelson is expected to leave for Beijing on Saturday where he will meet Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai on Sunday ahead of a scheduled summit of Chinese and EU leaders on Monday.

On Thursday, Mandelson unveiled his plan to increase quotas for Chinese textile imports this year, in an effort to solve the issue.

The 80 million items of Chinese clothing have been prevented from entering the EU market after the new quotas agreed with China were quickly filled.

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