BEIJING, Aug. 30 -- The European Union could resume imports of textiles from China next month, the EU trade commissioner said, thus allowing blocked shipments into the 25 member states.

    ¡°I shall make proposals tomorrow (Monday) morning to begin proceedings to unblock all the goods that are currently held at customs,¡± EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a British television broadcast Sunday.

    ¡°I hope member states will cooperate. If they cooperate I believe we will be able to unblock all the goods currently held at customs by the middle of next month.¡±

    The garments, which include sweaters, trousers, blouses, T-shirts, bras and tons of flax yarn, are being stockpiled because they exceed an EU quota imposed in June to protect European manufacturers.

    ¡°It¡¯s not the fault of importers, it¡¯s not the fault of retailers. I don¡¯t think they should be unfairly penalized,¡± Mandelson said. ¡°I hope that member states will cooperate with me in doing that and that they won¡¯t prevent the speedy passage of those procedures.¡±

    ¡°We are going to pass on the suggestions to the member states in written form,¡± a senior EU official said in Brussels.

    ¡°There will probably be a meeting of (the relevant committee) during the week.¡±

    The European Union and China have been negotiating in Beijing the past five days to find a way to unblock some 75 million pieces of clothing being held at ports in EU member states.

    Chinese exports to the EU have already reached the annual limits in seven of the categories and European customs officials have refused to accept any more.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)