The European Commission (EC) approved on Monday an accord to release the Chinese garments blocked for weeks at the European ports.

Francoise Le Bail, spokeswomen of the European Union (EU)'s executive arm told a briefing that the adopted regulation will enter into force on Wednesday and "will allow all textiles which are stuck in warehouses to be released."

From Wednesday on, the EU member states will start to issue import licenses and the blocked merchandise may be released into free circulation.

The EU-Chinese textiles deal was negotiated by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai on September 5 in Beijing.

A deadline for European importers to request the issue of import licences for goods shipped from China before July 20 has been extended until September 20, the Commission said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2005)