WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/3
8May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-1865)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
ANNUAL REPORTS (1997)
Theannual reports for1997 oftheGeneral Council, Dispute Settlement Body, Trade Policy
Review Body, Sectoral Councils, Committees onTrade andEnvironment, Trade andDevelopment,
RegionalTradeAgreements,Balance-of-PaymentsRestrictions,andBudget,FinanceandAdministration,
Working Groups ontheRelationship between Trade andInvestment, Interaction between Trade and
Competition Policy, andTransparency inGovernment Procurement, andtheCommittees andCouncils
under thePlurilateral Trade Agreements, arereproduced hereunder. Each report isreproduced as
aseparate section withitsownpagenumbering.
Reports Document Symbol
Section I: General Council WT/GC/10 andAdd.1
Section II: Dispute Settlement Body WT/DSB/10 andCorr.1
Section III: Trade Policy Review Body WT/TPR/41 andCorr. 1
Section IV: Council forTrade inGoods1G/L/213 andCorr.1
Section V: Council forTrade inServices S/C/5
Section VI: Council forTrade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) IP/C/12
Section VII: Committee onTrade andEnvironment WT/CTE/2
Section VIII: Committee onTrade andDevelopment WT/COMTD/13
Section IX: Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions WT/BOP/R/37
Section X: Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration WT/BFA/34
Section XI: Committee onRegional Trade Agreements WT/REG/3
Section XII: Working Group ontheRelationship between
Trade andInvestment WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
1Thereports ofthesubsidiary bodies oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods arecontained inanAddendum to
thisdocument.WT/MIN(98)/3
Page2
Section XIII: Working Group ontheInteraction between
Trade andCompetition Policy WT/WGTCP/1
Section XIV: Working Group onTransparency in
Government Procurement WT/WGTGP/1
Section XV: Committtees andCouncils under thePlurilateral Trade Agreements
- Committee onGovernment Procurement GPA/19
- Committee onTrade inCivil Aircraft WT/L/247
- International Dairy Council WT/L/246
- International Meat Council WT/L/237SECTION I
GENERAL COUNCILWORLD TRADE WT/GC/10
7January 1998
ORGANIZATION(98-0026)
General Council
GENERAL COUNCIL
Annual Report (1997)
Thepresent report hasbeenprepared inpursuance oftheProcedures foranAnnual Overview
ofWTO Activities andforReporting under theWTO (WT/L/105), andsetsouttheactions taken by
theGeneral Council intheperiod since itsprevious annual report.1
Incarrying outitstasks, theGeneral Council hasheld8meetings since theperiod covered
bytheprevious report. Theminutes ofthesemeetings, which remain therecord oftheGeneral Council 's
work, arecontained indocuments WT/GC/M/17-WT/GC/M/25.
Thefollowing subjects areincluded inthereport:
Page
1. WTO Logo ...............................................10
2. Preparations forthe1998Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe50th
anniversary ofthemultilateral trading system .........................10
3. Arrangements forconvening theHigh-Level Meeting onintegrated initiatives forleast-
developed countries 'trade development .............................12
4. Working Groups ontherelationship between trade andinvestment, theinteraction
between trade andcompetition policy, andtransparency ingovernment procurement
practices .................................................13
5. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................14
(a) Consultations .........................................14
(b) Notes onmeetings .....................................14
6. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................15
- Reports ............................................15
7. Agreement onPreshipment Inspection -Review under Article 6oftheAgreement ..16
8. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................16
(a) EC/France -Trading arrangements withMorocco ..................16
(b) Hungary -Agricultural export subsidies ........................17
1Theannual report oftheGeneral Council for1996 wascirculated asWT/GC/7.WT/GC/10
Page6
(c) Harmonized System ....................................17
(i) Bangladesh, Bolivia andNicaragua ......................17
(ii) SriLanka ......................................17
(iii) Bangladesh, Nicaragua andSriLanka ....................18
(d) Renegotiations ofSchedules ...............................18
(i) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX .................18
(ii) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII ...............18
(e) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................19
(f) Review ofwaivers pursuant toArticle IX:4oftheWTO Agreement ......19
9. Action pursuant toArticle X:9oftheWTO Agreement ...................20
(a) Deletion oftheInternational Dairy Agreement from Annex 4oftheWTO
Agreement ..........................................20
(b) Deletion oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement from Annex 4ofthe
WTO Agreement ......................................20
10. Accession ................................................20
(a) Andorra ............................................20
(b) Azerbaijan ..........................................21
(c) Georgia ............................................21
(d) Panama ............................................21
(e) Seychelles ...........................................22
11. Marrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization ............22
- Extension oftime-limit foracceptance oftheAgreement bytheRepublic of
theCongo ...........................................22
12. Brazil -Import financing restrictions ...............................23
13. Peru-Recent customs tariff changes ...............................23
14. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................23
15. Frugality measures inKorea ....................................23
16. United States -Recent action withregard toKorea under Section 301oftheOmnibus
Trade andCompetitiveness Actof1988 .............................23
17. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................24
18. Institutional reform andrestructuring oftheSecretariat ...................24
19. Scheduling ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25
20. Follow-up toparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration ...........25
21. Frequency ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25
22. Supply ofinformation totheintegrated databaseforpersonal computers ........26
23. Issuance ofaDaily Bulletin .....................................26WT/GC/10
Page7
24. Secretariat efforts toimprove transparency andgeneral contact withthepublic .....26
25. Status ofthecollaboration between theWTO andILOSecretariats pursuant to
paragraph 4oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration .....................27
26. Arrangements foreffective cooperation withother intergovernmental organizations ..27
(a) Office International desEpizooties ...........................27
(b) IMFandWorld Bank ...................................27
27. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO ..........................28
- Reports oftheJoint Advisory Group ..........................28
28. Administrative matters ........................................28
(a) Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff...........................28
(b) Offices oftheDeputy Directors-General ........................30
29. Observer status ............................................31
(a) International intergovernmental organizations .....................31
(b) Holy See...........................................32
(c) Ethiopia ............................................32
30. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................33
31. Election ofChairperson .......................................33
32. Review ofWTO activities ......................................33
33. Annual overview ofdevelopments ininternational trade andthetrading system ....33
1. Preparations forthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe
50thAnniversary ofthemultilateral trading system ......................7
(a) Organizational matters ...................................7
(b) Participation ofleast-developed countries .......................10
(c) Attendance ofinternational intergovernmental organizations ...........10
(d) Attendance ofobservers atworking sessions .....................11
(e) Attendance ofnon-governmental organizations ....................11
(f) Report bytheDirector-General .............................11
(g) Progress reports bytheChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies ............12
2. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................12
- .................................................12
3. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................12
- Reports ............................................12
4. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................13
(a) Harmonized System ....................................13
- Bangladesh, Nicaragua, SriLanka ......................13
(b) Renegotiation ofSchedule .................................13
- Zambia .......................................13
(c) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................13WT/GC/10
Page8
5. Accession ................................................13
(a) Azerbaijan ..........................................13
(b) Laos ..............................................14
6. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................14
7. Outcome ofthemajor review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement onTextiles and
Clothing .................................................15
8. Notification obligations andprocedures .............................15
9. Global electronic commerce ....................................15
10. Transparency andderestriction ...................................16
11. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................16
12. Comments being directed toindividual cases brought before thedispute settlement
system .................................................17
13. Premature disclosure ofdispute settlement panel reports ...................17
14. WTO Secretariat andSenior Management Structure .....................17
15. Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/M/28) .....................18
16. WTO Daily Bulletin .........................................19
17. Observer status ............................................20
(a) Governments .........................................20
(i) Bhutan ........................................20
(ii) Cape Verde .....................................20
(b) International intergovernmental organizations .....................20
18. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................20
19. Election ofChairperson .......................................21
ANNEX .........................22
1. Election ofChairperson .......................................6
2. Chairmanship oftheAppellate Body ...............................6
3. Terms ofoffice ofAppellate Body members (Article 17.2oftheDSU) .........7
4. Rules ofConduct fortheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing the
Settlement ofDisputes .......................................7
5. Indicative listofgovernmental andnon-governmental panelists ..............7WT/GC/10
Page9
6. Practice thathasdeveloped under Article 6.1oftheDSU ..................8
7. Requests tobejoined inconsultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU ..........8
8. Application ofArticle 4.11oftheDSU .............................9
9. Confidentiality ofpanel andAppellate Body reports .....................9
10. Statement bytheoutgoing Chairman oftheDSB .......................9
11. Letter fromtheWorld Wide Fund forNature totheChairman ofthePanel on"United
States -Import Prohibition ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp Products" ...........9
12. Adoption ofthe1997 Draft Annual Report oftheDSB(WT/DSB/M/39) ........10
13. Review oftheDSU ..........................................10
14. Recourse todispute settlement procedures ............................10
(a) Argentina ...........................................10
(i) Measures affecting imports offootwear, textiles, apparel andother
items .........................................10
(ii) Measures affecting textiles andclothing ...................11
(b) Australia ...........................................11
- Measures affecting importation ofsalmon ..................11
(c) Brazil .............................................12
(i) Export financing programme foraircraft ..................12
(ii) Measures affecting desiccated coconut ....................12
(iii) Measures affecting imports oftextiles from Hong Kong .........12
(d) Canada ............................................12
- Certain measures concerning periodicals ...................12
(e) Chile ..............................................13
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages .........................13
(f) European Communities ..................................13
(i) Customs classification ofsome computer equipment ...........13
(ii) Duties onimports ofgrains ...........................14
(iii) Measures affecting butter products ......................15
(iv) Measures affecting importation ofcertain poultry products .......15
(v) Regime fortheimportation, saleanddistribution ofbananas ......16
(g) Guatemala ..........................................17
- Anti-dumping investigation regarding portland cement from
Mexico .......................................17
(h) Hungary ............................................17
- Export subsidies inrespect ofagricultural products ............17
(i) India ..............................................18
(i) Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................18
(ii) Quantitativerestrictionsonimportsofagricultural,textileandindustrial
products ......................................18
(j) Indonesia ...........................................19
- Certain measures affecting theautomobile industry ............19
(k) Japan ..............................................20WT/GC/10
Page10
(i) Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................20
(ii) Measures affecting agricultural products ...................21
(l) Korea .............................................21
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................21
(m) Pakistan ............................................22
- Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................22
(n) Turkey .............................................22
- Taxation offoreign filmrevenues .......................22
(o) United States .........................................22
(i) Anti-dumpingdutyondynamicrandomaccessmemorysemiconductors
(DRAMS) ofonemegabyte orabove from Korea .............22
(ii) Import prohibition ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products ........23
(iii) Imposition ofanti-dumping duties onimports ofcolour television
receivers from Korea ..............................24
(iv) Measure affecting imports ofwoven wool shirts andblouses from
India .........................................24
(v) Measures affecting textiles andapparel products ..............24
(vi) Restrictions onimports ofcotton andman-made fibreunderwear ...25
(vii) Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........25
(viii) TheCuban Liberty andDemocratic Solidarity Act............26
15. Surveillance ofimplementation ofrecommendations adopted bytheDSB ........26
(a) United States .........................................26
- Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........26
(b) Japan ..............................................28
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ...............................28
ANNEX .........................29
1. WTO Logo (WT/GC/M/19)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman recalled thatSingapore had
offered tohandovertotheWTO foritsusethelogousedatthe1996Ministerial Conference, together
withthecopyright thereon, andthatthisoffer--theonlyoneonthetable--hadreceived widespread
support. Heproposed thattheGeneral Council agree toaccept Singapore 'soffer, andauthorize the
Secretariat towork outthenecessary arrangements withSingapore.
TheGeneral Council soagreed (WT/L/214).2
2. Preparationsforthe1998MinisterialConferenceandthecommemorationofthe50thanniversary
ofthemultilateral trading system (WT/GC/M/18, 19,20,21,23,25)
AttheMinisterial Conference inDecember 1996, Ministers hadagreed thatthenextMinisterial
Conference would beheldinGeneva andhadinvited theGeneral Council todetermine itsdates and
duration (WT/MIN(96)/SR/9). Ministers hadalsonoted thatthe50thanniversary ofthemultilateral
trading system would occur earlyin1998andhadinstructed theGeneral Council toconsider howthis
historic event could bestbecommemorated (WT/MIN(96)/DEC, paragraph 23).
2TheLogo oftheWTO, asadapted from theoriginal commissioned bytheGovernment ofSingapore for
thefirstMinisterialConference,wasofficiallyunveiledbytheDirector-Generalataceremonyon9October1997.WT/GC/10
Page11
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, therepresentative ofCanada proposed
ashort one-to-two daymeeting atMinisterial level tocommemorate the50thanniversary ofthe
multilateral trading system, andsuggested thatthismeeting could beheldback-to-back withanequally
short meeting oftheMinisterial Conference in1998.
Therepresentatives ofMorocco, Cuba andNewZealand, andtheDirector-General andthe
Chairman spoke.
TheGeneralCounciltooknoteofthestatementsandauthorizeditsChairmantoholdconsultations
onthismatter.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman announced thathehadraised
thequestion ofdates ofthenextMinisterial Conference ataninformal consultation withdelegations,
andthatthere appeared tobeawidespread viewthatthenextConference should beheldinthefirst
semester of1998. Heintended tointensify hisconsultations inthenearfuture, andinvited delegations
toreflect onthematter inthemeantime tohelpexpedite theconsultations.
Therepresentatives ofCanada, Switzerland, Norway, Morocco, Pakistan, Japan, Korea and
Cuba, andtheChairman andtheDirector oftheFinance andGeneral Services Division spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed thattheChairman should hold
consultations onthismatter.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on30June-1July1997, theChairman proposed, onthebasis
ofconsultations hehadbeen holding, thatthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthemeeting to
commemorate the50thanniversary ofthemultilateral trading system beheld intheperiod
18-20 May1998.
TheGeneral Council soagreed.
Atitsmeeting on16July1997, theDirector-General informed theGeneral Council ofpoints
thathadbeenraised inthemany multilateral andbilateral meetings hehadhadinthepastthreemonths
regarding theorganization ofthe50thanniversary commemoration meeting andthe1998 Ministerial
Conference.
TheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council ofconsultations
hehadbeen holding recently concerning preparations fortheMinisterial Conference andthe
commemoration ofthe50thanniversary ofthemultilateral trading system, onthebasis ofwhich he
proposed thattheGeneral Council agree thattheMinisterial Conference beheldon18-19 May, followed
on20Maybythecommemoration ofthe50thanniversary ofthemultilateral trading system. Hefurther
proposed thattheGeneral Council invite theDirector-General toprepare apaper ontheorganization
ofthecommemoration ofthe50thanniversary.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andsoagreed.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman reported onconsultations
recently heldonthepaper prepared bytheDirector-General regarding theorganization ofthe50th
anniversarycommemorationevent(document6410),andonpreparationsfortheMinisterialConference.WT/GC/10
Page12
Onthebasis oftheconsultations, heproposed thattheGeneral Council agree asfollows: (i)thatit
would bedesirable andimportant forMembers toindicate totheSecretariat, byatarget dateof
31January 1998, thelevel oftheirrepresentation atthecommemoration ofthe50thanniversary in
order toallow sufficient timeforthepreparation ofthisevent; and(ii)thatthereport oftheGeneral
Council tothe1998Ministerial Conference consist ofthe1997Annual Reports oftheGeneral Council
anditssubsidiary bodies together withabrief update report oftheGeneral Council concerning
developments inthefirstmonths of1998, andthatChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies beinvited to
report orally totheGeneral Council onwork donesince December 1997.
Therepresentatives ofArgentina, Jamaica, Korea, Paraguay, Pakistan andHong Kong, China
spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements, alsotooknotethatfurther consultations would
beresumed atanappropriate timeinthefollowing year, andagreed totheChairman 'sproposals.
3. ArrangementsforconveningtheHigh-LevelMeetingonintegratedinitiativesforleast-developed
countries 'trade development (WT/GC/M/22)
AttheMinisterial Conference inDecember 1996, Ministers hadagreed to"organize ameeting
withUNCTAD andtheInternational Trade Centre assoonaspossible in1997, withtheparticipation
ofaidagencies, multilateral financial institutions andleast-developed countries tofoster anintegrated
approach toassisting these countries inenhancing theirtrading opportunities" (WT/MIN(96)/DEC,
paragraph 14).
Atitsmeeting on7October 1997, theGeneral Council considered arrangements forconvening
theHigh-Level Meeting onintegrated initiatives forleast-developed countries 'trade development.
TheChairman proposed thattheGeneral Council, astheWTO bodyinstructed toconduct the
functions oftheMinisterial Conference intheintervals between meetings ofthelatter, andfollowing
themandate given byWTO Ministers inSingapore, invite theWTO Director-General toconvene the
High-Level Meeting forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade Development on27-28 October intheWTO,
towhich would beinvited WTO Members andobserver governments, andallleast-developed countries.
Special invitations toparticipate should beextended totheUNCTAD andITCsecretariats, inview
ofthekeyrolethattheywereplaying inpreparations fortheHigh-Level Meeting andtheimportance
thatWTO Members, andtheleast-developed countries inparticular, attached toUNCTAD 'sandITC's
fullandactive participation intheimplementation oftrade-related technical assistance activities under
theIntegrated Framework thatwould result fromtheHigh-Level Meeting. Invitations should similarly
beextended totheIMF, UNDP, andWorld Bank which, along withtheWTO, ITCandUNCTAD
secretariats, were directly involved inthepreparation andfollow-up totheHigh-Level Meeting.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Bangladesh andPakistan, andtheDeputy
Secretary-General ofUNCTAD andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneralCounciltooknoteofthestatementsandagreedtotheChairman'sproposalregarding
theorganization oftheHigh-Level Meeting.
TheChairman thenproposed thattheintergovernmental organizations thathadobserver status
intheWTO and,uponrequest, other intergovernmental organizations thathadresponsibilities related
tothepurposes oftheHigh-Level Meeting should beinvited toattend theHigh-Level Meeting as
observers. Furthermore, non-governmental organizations might beinvited toparticipate incountry-
specific roundtables attheHigh-Level Meeting bythose least-developed countries thatwereresponsibleWT/GC/10
Page13
fororganizing theirowncountry-specific roundtables, andinthethematic roundtables uponinvitation
from theChairpersons ofthose roundtables.
TheGeneral Council agreed totheChairman 'sproposals regarding theattendance of
intergovernmental andnon-governmental organizations attheHigh-Level Meeting.
4. Working Groups ontherelationship between trade andinvestment, theinteraction between
trade andcompetition policy, andtransparency ingovernment procurement practices
(WT/GC/M/18, 19)
AttheMinisterial Conference inDecember 1996, Ministers hadagreed toestablish working
groups ontherelationship between tradeandinvestment, theinteraction between tradeandcompetition
policy, andtransparency ingovernment procurement practices (WT/MIN(96)/DEC, paragraphs 20and
21).
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman saidthatsince thethree
working groups came within thepurview oftheGeneral Council, itwasimportant fortheGeneral
Council totakethenecessary steps toenable them tostarttheirwork assoonaspossible.
Therepresentatives ofPakistan, Jamaica, Morocco, Uruguay, Egypt andHong Kong spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed toauthorize itsChairman tohold
consultations andtopropose totheGeneral Council thenames ofchairpersons forthethree working
groups.
Therepresentatives ofMorocco, Singapore, theUnited States andIndia, andtheChairman
spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman announced thatinthelight
ofhisextensive consultations there appeared tobeconsensus onthefollowing appointments:
Mr.Krirk-Krai Jirapaet (Thailand) fortheWorking Group ontheRelationship between Trade and
Investment; Mr.Frédéric Jenny (France) fortheWorking Group ontheInteraction between Trade
andCompetition Policy; andMr.Werner Corrales Leal(Venezuela) fortheWorking Group on
Transparency inGovernment Procurement. Thetermofoffice ofthese Chairpersons would bethe
calendar yearof1997, withthepossibility ofreappointment foranother yearasappropriate. The
question ofpossible reappointment, ortheappointment ofnewchairpersons, would betaken upon
thecontext ofconsultations ontheappointment ofchairpersons ofWTO bodies for1998.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andagreed totheappointments (WT/L/215).WT/GC/10
Page14
5. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions
(a) Consultations (WT/GC/M/18, 19,23)
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon7February1997,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-
of-Payments Restrictions made anoralreport ontheCommittee 'sconsultation withIndia.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, theUnited States, Switzerland, Japan, India
andKorea spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon24April1997,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-of-
PaymentsRestrictionsintroducedtheCommittee'sreportsonitsconsultationswithIndia(WT/BOP/R/22)
andNigeria (WT/BOP/R/25).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Australia, theEuropean Communities, Japan, New
Zealand, India andNigeria spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thereports inWT/BOP/R/22
andWT/BOP/R/25.
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon22October1997,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-
of-Payments Restrictions introduced theCommittee 'sreports onitsconsultations with Pakistan
(WT/BOP/R/27),India(WT/BOP/R/32),Tunisia(WT/BOP/R/31),theCzechRepublic(WT/BOP/R/33),
Bulgaria (WT/BOP/R/34) andNigeria (WT/BOP/R/35), andonthesimplified consultation with
Bangladesh (WT/BOP/R/28).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, theUnited States, India, Egypt, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Cuba, SriLanka, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Argentina
andNewZealand spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andthatitwould bedesirable toholdfull
consultations withBangladesh intheautumn of1998 orinanycasebefore May1999, agreed that
Bulgaria andTunisia bedeemed tobeincompliance withtheirobligations, andadopted thereports
inWT/BOP/R/27, WT/BOP/R/28 andWT/BOP/R/31-35.
(b) Notes onmeetings (WT/GC/M/19, 23,25)
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon24April1997,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-of-
Payments Restrictions drew attention totheCommittee 'sdiscussion ofitsongoing business reported
inWT/BOP/R/23 andWT/BOP/R/24.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andoftheinformation inWT/BOP/R/23 and
WT/BOP/R/24.
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon22October1997,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-
of-Payments Restrictions drewattention totheCommittee 'sdiscussion ofitsongoing business reported
inWT/BOP/R/26 andWT/BOP/R/29-30.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andoftheinformation inWT/BOP/R/26 and
WT/BOP/R/29-30.WT/GC/10
Page15
AttheGeneral Council Meeting on10December 1997, theChairman oftheCommittee on
Balance-of-Payments Restrictions drewattention totheCommittee 'sdiscussion ofitsongoing business
reported inWT/BOP/R/36 andWT/BOP/R/38.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andoftheinformation inWT/BOP/R/36 and
WT/BOP/R/38.
6. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration
- Reports (WT/GC/M/17, 19,21,23,25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on26November 1996, theChairman oftheCommittee on
Budget, Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/28.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatement, approved theCommittee 'sspecific
recommendations inparagraphs 4,20,23,24,25,26,27,28,29and30ofitsreport inWT/BFA/28,
andalsoapproved thedraftResolution referred toinparagraph 20.TheGeneral Council thenadopted
theBudget Committee 'sreport inWT/BFA/28, including therecommendations contained therein and
theResolution ontherevised expenditure oftheWTO in1997 andtheways andmeans tomeetthat
expenditure.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman oftheCommittee onBudget,
Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/30.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatement, approved theCommittee 'sspecific
recommendations inparagraphs 8and10ofitsreport inWT/BFA/30, andadopted thereport.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on16July1997, theChairman oftheCommittee onBudget,
Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/31.
Therepresentatives ofMorocco andBangladesh spoke.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatements, approved theCommittee 'sspecific
recommendations inparagraphs 12,13,17and20ofitsreport inWT/BFA/31, andadopted thereport.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, theChairman oftheCommittee onBudget,
Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/32.
Therepresentatives ofMorocco andtheUnited States spoke.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatements, approved theCommittee 'sspecific
recommendations inparagraphs 4,5,19,32,33and38ofitsreport inWT/BFA/32, aswellasthe
contents ofparagraph 41,andalsoapproved thedraftResolution referred toinparagraph 19.The
General Council then adopted theBudget Committee 'sreport inWT/BFA/32, including the
recommendations contained therein andtheResolution ontherevised expenditure oftheWTO in1998
andtheways andmeans tomeetthatexpenditure.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman oftheCommittee on
Budget, Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/33.WT/GC/10
Page16
Therepresentative ofEgypt referred tothetextinthesecond sentence ofparagraph 7ofthe
Committee 'sreport, which hesaidhadbeenadded aftertheinitial agreed texthadbeencirculated to
Committee Members. Hisdelegation hadnotpreviously beenaware ofthismodification andsuggested
thatthetextinquestion bedeleted from theCommittee 'sreport totheGeneral Council.
Therepresentatives ofJamaica andGermany, andtheBudget Committee Chairman andthe
Chairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andofthewishofCommittee Members that
thetextinthesecond sentence ofparagraph 7beconsidered deleted fromtheCommittee 'sreport before
theGeneral Council inWT/BFA/33. TheGeneral Council thenapproved theBudget Committee 's
specific recommendations inparagraph 6ofitsreport, andadopted thereport asamended (WT/BFA/33
andCorr.1).
7. Agreement onPreshipment Inspection -Review under Article 6oftheAgreement
(WT/GC/M/25)
InNovember 1996, theGeneral Council, onthebasisofarecommendation fromtheCouncil
forTrade inGoods, hadestablished aworking party under theGoods Council toconduct thereview
provided forunder Article 6oftheAgreement onPreshipment Inspection, andtoreport totheGeneral
Council inDecember 1997 through theGoods Council.
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theGeneral Council considered theWorking Party's
report (G/L/214).
Therepresentative ofJamaica andtheChairman oftheWorking Party spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements, approved therecommendations oftheWorking
Party inparagraphs 1-9ofsection Bofitsreport, andadopted thereport. TheGeneral Council agreed
thatthelifeoftheWorking Party beextended foroneyearforthepurposes described inparagraph 8
ofsection Bofitsreport.
8. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/23)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, theChairman oftheCouncil forTrade
inGoods addressed thegeneral question ofrequests forwaivers submitted forinitial consideration to
theGoods Council.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
(a) EC/France -Trading arrangements withMorocco (WT/GC/M/25)
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theGeneral Council considered arequest byEC/France
(G/L/196) foranextension ofawaiver previously granted forFrance 'strading arrangements with
Morocco, andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/96).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
Therepresentatives ofAustralia andtheEuropean Communities spoke.WT/GC/10
Page17
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/250).
(b) Hungary -Agricultural export subsidies (WT/GC/M/23)
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered arequest byHungary
(G/L/183) forawaiver fromitsobligations under paragraph 3ofArticle 3,Article 8,andparagraph 2
ofArticle 9oftheAgreement onAgriculture, andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/86).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
Therepresentative ofMexico, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements3and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/238).
(c) Harmonized System
(i) Bangladesh, Bolivia andNicaragua (WT/GC/M/19)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, theGeneral Council considered requests byBangladesh
(G/L/163), Bolivia (G/L/161) andNicaragua (G/L/166) forextensions ofwaivers previously granted
inconnection withtheirimplementation oftheHarmonized System, anddraftdecisions tothiseffect
(Bangladesh -G/C/W/74; Bolivia -G/C/W/72; Nicaragua -G/C/W/77).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration oftheserequests
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecisions
(WT/L/209 -Bangladesh; WT/L/212 -Bolivia; andWT/L/211 -Nicaragua).
(ii) SriLanka (WT/GC/M/21)
Atitsmeetingon16July1997,theGeneralCouncilconsideredarequestbySriLanka(G/L/164)
foranextension ofawaiver previously granted inconnection withitsimplementation oftheHarmonized
System, andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/73/Rev.1).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/224).
3Including thestatement byHungary onthismatter atthemeeting oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods on
6October 1997 (G/C/M/23, item4).WT/GC/10
Page18
(iii) Bangladesh, Nicaragua andSriLanka (WT/GC/M/23)
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered requests by
Bangladesh (G/L/186), Nicaragua (G/L/187) andSriLanka (G/L/188) forextensions ofwaivers
previouslygrantedinconnectionwiththeirimplementationoftheHarmonizedSystem,anddraftdecisions
tothiseffect (Bangladesh -G/C/W/89; Nicaragua -G/C/W/87; SriLanka -G/C/W/90).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration oftheserequests
bytheCouncil, andtherepresentative ofBangladesh spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecisions
(Bangladesh -WT/L/239; Nicaragua -WT/L/240; SriLanka -WT/L/241).
(d) Renegotiations ofSchedules
(i) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX (WT/GC/M/19)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, theGeneral Council hadbefore itarequest bySenegal
(G/L/165) foranextension ofawaiver previously granted inconnection withitsrenegotiation ofits
schedule, andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/76).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods informed theGeneral Council thatsince the
Goods Council meeting atwhich thisrequest hadbeenconsidered, Senegal hadconcluded itspending
negotiations under Article XXVIII ofGATT 1994. Senegal wastherefore notpursing itsrequest on
thewaiver, andtheGeneral Council didnotneedtotakefurther action onthisitem.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
(ii) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII (WT/GC/M/19, 23)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, theGeneral Council considered arequest byZambia (G/L/162)
foranextension ofawaiver previously granted inconnection withitsrenegotiation ofitsschedule,
andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/75).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/213).
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered arequest byZambia
(G/L/189) foranextension ofthewaiver previously granted inconnection withitsrenegotiation of
itsschedule, andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/91).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/242).WT/GC/10
Page19
(e) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO schedules of
tariff concessions on1January 1996 (WT/GC/M/19, 23)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, theGeneral Council considered adraftdecision extending
thetime-limit oftheDecision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO schedules
oftariff concessions on1January 1996 (G/MA/W/12 andCorr.1).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthismatter
bytheCouncil.
Therepresentatives ofSwitzerland, Trinidad andTobago andArgentina, andtheChairman
andtheDirector-General spoke.
TheGeneralCounciltooknoteofthestatementsandofthereportbytheChairmanoftheCouncil
forTrade inGoods, including ontheconsultations heldontheproposal made bySwitzerland
(WT/GC/W/56 -G/C/W/79), andofhisintention toholdfurther consultations withaviewtofinding
asolution intimeforthemeeting oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods on2June. TheGeneral Council
thenadopted thedraftdecision (WT/L/216) inaccordance withtheDecision-Making Procedures Under
Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93).
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered adraftdecision extending
thetime-limit oftheDecision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO schedules
oftariff concessions on1January 1996 (G/C/W/93/Rev.1)
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthismatter
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport andthatCuba hadrequested tobewithdrawn from
thelistofMembers annexed tothedraft decision and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures Under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
asamended (WT/L/243).
Therepresentative ofSwitzerland spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
(f) Review ofwaivers pursuant toArticle IX:4oftheWTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/23)
Under Article IX:4oftheWTO Agreement, "Any waiver granted foraperiod ofmore than
oneyearshallbereviewed bytheMinisterial Conference notlaterthanoneyearafteritisgranted,
andthereafter annually untilthewaiver terminates." TheArticle further provides that:"Ineachreview,
theMinisterial Conference shallexamine whether theexceptional circumstances justifying thewaiver
stillexistandwhether theterms andconditions attached tothewaiver havebeenmet. TheMinisterial
Conference, onthebasis oftheannual review, mayextend, modify orterminate thewaiver."
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council conducted areview ofthefollowing
waivers: Canada -CARIBCAN (WT/L/185); Cuba -Article XV:6 (WT/L/182); EC-TheFourth
ACP-EC Convention ofLomé (WT/L/186); United States -Andean Trade Preference Act(WT/L/184);
United States -Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act(WT/L/104); andUnited States -Former
Trust Territory ofthePacific Islands (WT/L/183). Insodoing, theGeneral Council considered reports
ontheimplementation ofthewaivers submitted bythefollowing governments: Canada (WT/L/236),
Cuba (WT/L/231), theEuropean Communities (WT/L/235), andtheUnited States (WT/L/232-234).WT/GC/10
Page20
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereports submitted under thewaivers.
9. Action pursuant toArticle X:9oftheWTO Agreement
(a) Deletion oftheInternational Dairy Agreement fromAnnex 4oftheWTO Agreement
(WT/GC/M/25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman recalled thaton
30SeptembertheInternationalDairyCouncilhaddecidedtoterminatetheInternationalDairyAgreement
"asof1January 1998" (IDA/8), andhadrequested thattheMinisterial Conference delete theAgreement
from Article 4oftheWTO Agreement upon itstermination, inaccordance withArticle X:9ofthe
WTO Agreement. Accordingly, heproposed thatthedraftdecision tothiseffect inWT/GC/W/70
beadopted.
Therepresentative ofKorea andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thedraftdecision (WT/L/251).
(b) Deletion oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement from Annex 4oftheWTO
Agreement (WT/GC/M/25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman recalled thaton
30September theInternational Meat Council haddecided toterminate theInternational Bovine Meat
Agreement "attheendof1997" (IMA/8), andhadrequested thattheMinisterial Conference delete
theAgreement fromAnnex 4oftheWTO Agreement uponitstermination, inaccordance withArticle
X:9oftheWTO Agreement. Accordingly, heproposed thatthedraft decision tothiseffect in
WT/GC/W/71 beadopted.
TheGeneral Council soagreed (WT/L/252).
10. Accession
(a) Andorra (WT/GC/M/23, 25)
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered acommunication from
Andorra (WT/ACC/AND/1) concerning itsinterest inacceding totheWTO Agreement pursuant to
Article XII.
Therepresentatives ofAndorra (asanobserver), theEuropean Communities, Argentina, the
United States, Brunei fortheASEAN Members, Mexico, Paraguay, Venezuela, Tunisia, Chile, the
Czech Republic, theSlovak Republic, Japan, Romania, Mauritius andCanada andtheChairman spoke.
Therepresentative ofCuba wished tobeplaced onrecord aswelcoming andsupporting Andorra 's
request.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andoftheexpression ofsupport, agreed to
establish aworking party toexamine Andorra 'sapplication, andauthorized theChairman tohold
consultations ontheprocedures andterms ofreference oftheWorking Party. TheGeneral Council
further agreed torevert tothismatter aftertheconsultations were concluded.WT/GC/10
Page21
TheChairman invited Andorra, onbehalf oftheGeneral Council, toattend meetings ofthe
General Council and,asappropriate, meetings ofother WTO bodies asanobserver during theperiod
when theWorking Party wascarrying outitswork.
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatin
consultations hehadheldithadbeenagreed thattheWorking Party would carry outitswork under
standard terms ofreference asfollows: "Toexamine theapplication oftheGovernment ofAndorra
toaccede totheWTO Agreement under Article XII,andtosubmit totheGeneral Council
recommendations which mayinclude adraftProtocol ofAccession", andthatMr.B.Jonsson (Iceland)
hadagreed tochair theWorking Party.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
(b) Azerbaijan (WT/GC/M/21, 23)
Atitsmeetingon16July1997,theGeneralCouncilconsideredacommunicationfromAzerbaijan
(WT/ACC/AZE/1) concerning itsinterest inacceding totheWTO Agreement pursuant toArticle XII.
TheGeneral Council agreed toestablish aworking party toexamine Azerbaijan 'sapplication,
andauthorized itsChairman todesignate theChairperson oftheWorking Party inconsultation with
representatives ofMembers andwiththerepresentative ofAzerbaijan.
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thathewas
stillpursuing consultations onthedesignation ofachairperson fortheWorking Party.
Therepresentative ofAzerbaijan spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(c) Georgia (WT/GC/M/19)
InJuly1996, theGeneral Council hadestablished aworking party toexamine Georgia 's
application foraccession totheWTO Agreement, andhadauthorized itsChairman todesignate the
Chairperson oftheWorking Party inconsultation withrepresentatives ofMembers andwiththe
representative ofGeorgia.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council that
Ms.E.Herfkens (Netherlands) hadagreed tochair theWorking Party.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
(d) Panama (WT/GC/M/19, 20)
InOctober 1996, theGeneral Council hadadopted aDecision (WT/ACC/PAN/20) authorizing
Panama toaccede totheWTO Agreement under terms setoutinitsProtocol ofAccession
(WT/ACC/PAN/21). Assetoutinitsparagraph 7,theProtocol wasopenforacceptance byPanama
until30June1997.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman announced thatPanama had
recently indicated thatitmight notbeabletomeetthetime-limit of30June1997 foritsacceptance
oftheProtocol ofAccession. Ifthisproved tobethecase, adraftdecision proposing anextension
ofthetime-limit would beplaced before theGeneral Council forconsideration atitsnextmeeting.WT/GC/10
Page22
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on30June-1July1997, theGeneral Council considered acommunication
fromPanama requesting thatthetime-limit foracceptance inparagraph 7ofitsProtocol ofAccession
bechanged to31October 1997 (WT/GC/W/59), andadraftdecision tothiseffect intheAnnex to
thatdocument.
TheGeneral Council adopted thedraftdecision (WT/ACC/PAN/22).
Therepresentative ofPanama spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
(e) Seychelles (WT/GC/M/23)
InJuly1995, theGeneral Council hadestablished aworking party toexamine Seychelles '
application foraccession totheWTO Agreement, andhadauthorized itsChairman todesignate the
Chairperson oftheWorking Party inconsultation withrepresentatives ofMembers andwiththe
representative ofSeychelles. InJuly1996, theGeneral Council hadtaken notethatMr.Ravaloson
(Madagascar) hadagreed tochair theWorking Party.
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council that,following
thedepartureofMr.Ravaloson(Madagascar)fromGeneva,Mr.Berthet(Uruguay)hadagreedtoreplace
himasChairman oftheWorking Party.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
11. Marrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization
- Extension oftime-limit foracceptance oftheAgreement bytheRepublic oftheCongo
(WT/GC/M/19)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman announced thattheRepublic
oftheCongo hadnotified theWTO on25February 1997ofitsratification oftheMarrakesh Agreement.
However, thetime-limit foracceptance oftheMarrakesh Agreement bycontracting parties toGATT
1947 eligible tobecome original Members expired on1January 1997, asprovided inArticle XIV:1
oftheAgreement. Given thattheRepublic oftheCongo wastheonlyremaining contracting party
toGATT 1947 eligible tobecome anoriginal Member before 1January 1997 which wasnotyeta
Member, itwasproposed thattheGeneral Council adopt thedraftdecision inWT/GC/W/54, which
would extend retroactively thetime-limit foracceptance bytheCongo oftheMarrakesh Agreement
to25February 1997.
TheGeneral Council adopted thedraftdecision (WT/L/208).4
4TheCongo wasthusdeemed tobeaWTO Member asof27March 1997, i.e.30daysafter receipt ofits
notification ofratification, asprovided forinArticle XIV:1 oftheWTO Agreement.WT/GC/10
Page23
12. Brazil -Import financing restrictions (WT/GC/M/21)
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon16July1997,therepresentativeoftheEuropeanCommunities
expressed concern atmeasures recently imposed byBrazil onimport financing which hesaidhadthe
effect ofreducing theavailability ofshort-term credit.
Therepresentatives ofBrazil andSwitzerland spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
13. Peru-Recent customs tariff changes (WT/GC/M/19)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1997, therepresentative ofPeruinformed theGeneral Council that
tariff duties ongoods imported intoPeruhadbeenmodified asof13April, andthatthese unilateral
changes didnotaffect Peru'srights andobligations under theWTO Agreement.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
14. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession (WT/GC/M/18)
Atitsmeeting on7February 1997, theGeneral Council considered acommunication from
theUnitedStates(WT/L/202)expressingconcernthatEcuadorhadnotimplementedcertaincommitments
initsProtocol ofAccession.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Ecuador, theEuropean Communities, Venezuela also
onbehalf ofColombia, NewZealand andSwitzerland spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
15. Frugality measures inKorea (WT/GC/M/19)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, therepresentative oftheEuropean
Communities expressed concern attheimpact onCommunity exports oftheso-called frugality campaign
inKorea, which affected notonlytrade ingoods butalsotrade inservices.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andKorea spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
16. United States -Recent action withregard toKorea under Section 301oftheOmnibus Trade
andCompetitiveness Actof1988 (WT/GC/M/23)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, therepresentative ofKorea expressed
concern atrecent USaction identifying Korea 'sautomobile market practice asa"priority foreign country
practice" under Section 301oftheOmnibus Trade andCompetitiveness Actof1988, andreserved
Korea 'srights under theWTO Agreements inthisconnection.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.WT/GC/10
Page24
17. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO (WT/GC/M/21, 23)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on16July1997, theChairman saidthatthismatter hadbeen
discussed ataninformal meeting on23Juneonthebasis ofatextcirculated bytheSecretariat athis
request (WT/GC/W/61), andatafurther informal meeting on10Julyonthebasis ofarevised text
bytheSecretariat (WT/GC/W/61/Rev.1). Itappeared thatadditional timewasneeded tosettle certain
aspects oftheissueandtoallow forfurther reflection bysome delegations. Hehoped that,following
further work ontheprocedures, itwould bepossible totakeadecision thereon afterthesummer break.
Therepresentatives ofSwitzerland, Tunisia, Paraguay, Japan, Uruguay, Singapore onbehalf
oftheASEAN Members, Canada, Chile andHungary spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnext
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatarevised
textonaccreditation procedures (WT/GC/W/61/Rev.2) hadbeenconsidered ataninformal meeting
on2October, andthatfollowing thecomments made atthatmeeting hehadundertaken tocirculate
afurther revised textwithaviewtoseeking agreement thereon. However, ithadnotproved possible
toreach aconsensus onthistext,andheproposed therefore tocontinue consultations withinterested
delegations before submitting afurther revised proposal. Hehad,inthemeantime, requested the
Secretariat tocirculate anoteontheexisting accreditation practices withregard tointernational
intergovernmental organizations.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andagreed torevert tothismatter atafuture
meeting.
18. Institutional reform andrestructuring oftheSecretariat5(WT/GC/M/19, 23,25)
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon24April1997,theChairmansaidthatanumberofdelegations
hadbeenoftheview that,inthelightofthefirsttwoyears ofoperation oftheWTO Secretariat,
consideration should begiven tohowitsfunctioning andoperational efficiency might beenhanced to
meetthechallenges facing theOrganization. Theviewhadalsobeenexpressed thatthenumber of
DeputyDirectors-Generalshouldbereducedatanappropriatetime.Hedrewattentiontoadraftdecision
ontheWTO Secretariat andsenior management structure (WT/GC/W/57), which hadresulted from
broad-based informal consultations onthismatter.
Therepresentatives ofPakistan, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Mexico, Hong
Kong, India, Korea, Colombia, New Zealand, Trinidad andTobago, Peru, Argentina, Morocco,
Switzerland, Norway, Venezuela andTunisia spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thedraftdecision ontheWTO
Secretariat andSenior Management Structure (WT/L/207).
TheDirector-General spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
5Some discussion relating tothismatter iscarried under sub-point 28(b) -"Offices oftheDeputy Directors-
General".WT/GC/10
Page25
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatthereport
requested oftheDirector-General onthismatter bytheDecision of24April 1997 (WT/L/207) had
recently beencirculated todelegations, andthatheintended toholdconsultations thereon inthenear
future.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman saidthattheDirector-
General 'sreport hadbeendiscussed briefly atinformal consultations on2December, atwhich hehad
invited delegations togivecareful consideration tothereport andhadindicated hisintention tohold
further consultations onthismatter early inthefollowing year.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
19. Scheduling ofmeetings ofWTO bodies (WT/GC/M/18)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman saidthatconcerns expressed
byanumber ofdelegations about theexcessive number ofmeetings andtheirability tofollow them
pointedtotheneedtofurtherintensifyeffortstorationalizeworkintheWTOthroughastricteradherence
totheguidelines onarrangements forscheduling ofmeetings (WT/L/106). Heintended tosuggest
tothefuture Chairperson oftheGeneral Council totakethismatter intoaccount inconsultation with
chairpersons ofotherWTO bodies toensure thattheguidelines wereapplied tothefullest extent possible
andtoseekpractical solutions totheproblems encountered.
Therepresentative ofTanzania spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
20. Follow-up toparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/GC/M/19)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, therepresentative ofEgypt expressed the
hopethatinformal consultations onwaystominimize theburdens ondelegations, especially those with
more limited resources, intheorganization oftheWTO 'swork referred toinparagraphs 20and21
oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/MIN(96)/DEC), would becontinued.
TheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
21. Frequency ofmeetings ofWTO bodies (WT/GC/M/23, 25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, therepresentative ofEgypt expressed
concern atthefrequency ofmeetings ofWTO bodies, andurged consideration ofthisissue bythe
General Council toensure strict adherence totheguidelines onthearrangements forscheduling of
meetings ofWTO bodies (WT/L/106) andtheprovisions ofparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial
Declaration inthisregard (WT/MIN(96)/DEC).
Therepresentatives ofJamaica, Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, India andCuba
spoke.WT/GC/10
Page26
TheChairman proposed thatheholdstructured consultations onthismatter. Theconsultations,
opentoall,would beheldassoonaspossible andwould takeintoaccount thesuggestions made by
Egypt onhowtoaddress thisissue. TheSecretariat would berequested toprepare some additional
information forcirculation toMembers onthismatter.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andsoagreed.
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council ofinformal
consultations hehadheldrecently onthismatter.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
22. Supply ofinformation totheintegrated databaseforpersonal computers (WT/GC/M/21)
Atitsmeeting on16July1997, theGeneral Council considered adraftdecision onthesupply
ofinformation totheintegrated databaseforpersonal computers (G/C/W/82).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods reported ontheconsideration ofthismatter
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andadopted thedraftdecision (WT/L/225).
23. Issuance ofaDaily Bulletin (WT/GC/M/21, 25)
Atitsmeetingon16July1997,theChairman,onthebasisofconsultationshehadheldregarding
thepossibilityofissuingadailybulletintoassistdelegationsinfollowingmeetingsattheWTO,informed
theGeneral Council that: (i)thebulletin would beissued inEnglish onlyandplaced inthepigeon
holes assigned todelegations attheWTO before theclose-of-business oneachworking day.Itwould
indicate themeetings tobeheldthefollowing day,andcontain abrieffactual description oftheresults
offormal meetings heldtheprevious day; (ii)thebulletin would notbemade available tothepublic
andthepress; and(iii)thebulletin would becirculated onatrialbasis forthree months starting in
September 1997, andwould bereviewed inthelightofexperience andfinancial implications, ifany.
Therepresentatives ofCôted'Ivoire andVenezuela spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman proposed that,inlight
ofthegenerally positive experience thusfarwiththeissuance oftheDaily Bulletin, theBulletin continue
tobeissued forafurther trialperiod ofthree months inenglish only, since itsissuance inFrench and
Spanish would havefinancial implications thatwould havetobeexamined bytheCommittee onBudget,
Finance andAdministration.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andsoagreed.
24. Secretariat efforts toimprove transparency andgeneral contact withthepublic (WT/GC/M/25)
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theDirector-General informed theGeneral Council of
efforts being made bytheSecretariat toimprove transparency andgeneral contact withthepublic.WT/GC/10
Page27
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Switzerland andPakistan spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
25. Status ofthecollaboration between theWTO andILOSecretariats pursuant toparagraph 4
oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/GC/M/21)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on16July1997, therepresentative ofNorway recalled the
provisions ofparagraph 4oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/MIN(96)/DEC) andrequested
theDirector-General forinformation astothestatus ofthecollaboration between theWTO andILO
secretariats andwhether theWTO Secretariat hadreceived anyinformation ontheissueoftheILO's
work oncorelabour standards thatcould beshared withMembers.
TheDirector-General, andtherepresentatives oftheUnited States, Egypt, Pakistan, Brazil,
Morocco, India, Peru, Australia, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Canada, Japan, Cuba,
Colombia, theEuropean Communities andSwitzerland, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
26. Arrangements foreffective cooperation withother intergovernmental organizations
(a) Office International desEpizooties (WT/GC/M/23)
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered drafttextsofanexchange
ofletters proposed asthebasisforestablishing relations between theWTO andtheOffice International
desEpizooties (G/SPS/W/61), which hadearlier beenapproved bytheGeneral Session oftheOIE
andbytheWTO Committee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures andtheCouncil forTrade in
Goods.
TheGeneral Council approved thedrafttextsoftheexchange ofletters.
(b) IMFandWorld Bank (WT/GC/M/23, 25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, theChairman recalled thatunder the
Decision approving theAgreements between theWTO andtheIMFandWorld Bank (WT/L/194),
theDirector-General wastoholdconsultations withMembers under theauspices oftheGeneral Council
Chairman, andthatthese consultations should include reports onthecoherence consultations between
theHeads ofthethree organizations aswellasonother matters. Heinformed theGeneral Council
thatafirstreport wasbeing prepared, andthattheconsultations withMembers would beheldinthe
nearfuture.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on10December 1997, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatthe
Director-General hadheldconsultations withMembers on2December under theauspices ofthe
Chairman oftheGeneral Council onmatters relating totheimplementation oftheAgreements with
theIMFandWorld Bank, inthecourse ofwhich theDirector-General 'sreport ontheimplementation
oftheAgreements (WT/GC/W/68) hadbeenconsidered.WT/GC/10
Page28
Therepresentatives ofJamaica, Pakistan, theUnited States, India, Argentina, Korea, Norway,
Morocco andHong Kong, China, andtheDirector-General andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andoftheDirector-General 'sreport, and
agreed thattheideaofbroad discussions early thefollowing yearonthematters raised byMembers
bepursued. TheGeneral Council alsoagreed thattheSecretariat compile thereferences intheWTO
Agreements totheIMFanditsArticles ofAgreement.
27. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO
- Reports oftheJoint Advisory Group (WT/GC/M/18, 21)
Atitsmeeting on7February 1997, theGeneral Council considered thereport oftheJoint
Advisory Group oftheInternational Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO onitstwenty-ninth session
(ITC/AG(XXIX)/157).
TheVice-Chairman oftheGroup introduced thereport. Therepresentatives ofEgypt, Jamaica,
India, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, andJapan, andtheExecutive Director ofthe
ITCandtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thereport.
Atitsmeeting on16July1997, theGeneral Council considered thereport oftheJointAdvisory
Group oftheInternational Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO onitsthirtieth session (ITC/AG(XXX)/164).
TheChairman oftheGroup introduced thereport, andtherepresentative ofPakistan spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thereport.
28. Administrative matters
(a) Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/M/18, 19,20,21,23,24)
InNovember 1996, theGeneral Council haddecided thatitwould in1997 continue its
consideration ofthedraftdecision of18September 1996onconditions ofservice ofWTO staff, with
aviewtoreaching afinalconclusion by30June1997 atthelatest (WT/L/197).
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman proposed theestablishment
ofanopen-ended working group toassist theGeneral Council inmeeting the30Junedeadline for
afinalconclusion tothismatter, withterms ofreference thathereadout.
TherepresentativesofEgypt,Germany,Morocco,Norway,theUnitedStates,Uruguay,Jamaica,
Hong Kong, Canada, Haiti, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Mexico andKorea, and
theDirector-General andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements, agreed totheChairman 'sproposal regarding
theestablishment andterms ofreference ofaworking group tostudy thismatter, andauthorized the
Chairman todesignate theChairman oftheWorking Group inconsultation withMembers.6TheGeneral
6Onthebasis ofhisconsultations, theChairman subsequently designated Mr.Morjane (Tunisia) asChairman
oftheWorking Group (WT/L/205).WT/GC/10
Page29
Council alsoagreed thattheChairman should holdfurther consultations onthequestion ofparticipation
oftheWTO StaffCouncil asanobserver intheWorking Group.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman oftheWorking Group on
conditions ofservice reported onthework undertaken bytheGroup thusfar.
TheDirector-General expressed concern thatwork intheGroup hadthusfarnotproceeded
aswellorasexpeditiously asexpected. Hesuggested that,inorder tofacilitate consensus, Members
firsttakethepolitical andinstitutional decision, andthenaddress thebudgetary aspects ofestablishing
anindependent Secretariat.
Therepresentatives ofNorway, Hong Kong, Iceland, Nigeria, Brazil, theCzech Republic,
Japan, Turkey, Australia, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Korea, France, Switzerland,
Belgium, theUnited Kingdom, Germany, India, ItalyandMorocco spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
Atitsmeeting on30June-1July1997, theGeneral Council hadbefore itadraftdecision
onconditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/W/63) prepared bytheChairman oftheWorking Group
onconditions ofservice. Following further informal consultations during thecourse ofthemeeting,
theGeneral Council considered arevised textofthedraftdecision (WT/GC/W/63/Rev.2).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Germany, theUnited Kingdom, Paraguay onbehalf
oftheLatin American andCaribbean Group (GRULAC), andNigeria spoke.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatements andadopted thedraft decision in
WT/GC/W/63/Rev.2.7
TheChairman thenreadthefollowing statement: "Inlightoftheviews expressed bysome
Members,subjecttoyouragreementIproposetorequesttheDirector-GeneraltocontacttheInternational
Civil Service Commission assoonaspossible inorder toexplore thepossibilities forimplementing
reforms inWTO conditions ofservice, taking intoaccount thedifferent options raised byMembers.
TheDirector-General willreport backtotheGeneral Council notlaterthanOctober 1997ontheresults
ofthese consultations." Headded thathehaddiscussed thismatter withtheDirector-General, and
thelatter wasready torespond tothisrequest.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisstatement, andoffurther statements bytheChairman
andtherepresentative ofMorocco.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on16July1997, theChairman recalled thattheWorking Group
onConditions ofService established inFebruary hadbeenasked tosubmit itsfinalreport bytheend
ofMay1997. BytheirDecision onconditions ofservice ofWTO staffof1July(WT/L/223), Members
hadimplicitly extended the30June deadline forafinalconclusion tothismatter established in
November 1996(WT/L/197) byagreeing thattheGeneral Council would consider thismatter further
notlaterthanOctober1997.Sincemuchtechnicalworkwasstillrequiredinconnectionwiththequestion
ofconditions ofservice, hewished toconfirm thattheoriginal mandate oftheGroup wasalsoextended
sothatitmight pursue itswork asappropriate inlightofthe1JulyDecision.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
7TheDecision wassubsequently alsoadopted bytheExecutive Committee oftheInterim Commission for
theInternational Trade Organization (ICITO), andcirculated asWT/L/223.WT/GC/10
Page30
TheChairman theninformed theGeneral Council ofhisdecision, pursuant toparagraph 2
ofthe1JulyDecision onconditions ofservice (WT/L/223), andinconsultation withtheChairman
oftheWorking Group onConditions ofService, todesignate Mr.Christopher Daykin, theGovernment
Actuary oftheUnited Kingdom, toprepare thesecond opinion onthecalculations oftheWTO consulting
actuary withregard totheproposed WTO pension plan.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, theChairman noted thattheadditional
information onthismatter thatMembers hadrequested attheGeneral Council meeting on30June-1 July
hadsince beenreceived fromtheUNJointStaffPension Fund, theUKGovernment Actuary andthe
International Civil Service Commission. Itwashisunderstanding thatcertain governments werestill
considering thismatter andwerenotyetinaposition tojoininaconsensus. Hetherefore proposed
that,notwithstanding thedeadline ofOctober 1997setbytheGeneral Council foradecision, theGeneral
Council agree todefer further consideration ofthismatter toafuture meeting tobeconvened bythe
second week ofNovember atthelatest.
TheGeneral Council soagreed.
TheChairperson oftheWTO StaffCouncil, andtheDirector-General spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on14November 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States
indicated thathisauthorities could inprinciple accept theestablishment oftheWTO Secretariat on
anindependent basis, andspecified conditions which theUnited States would expect toseereflected
inthepackage prior toafinaldecision.
TherepresentativesofMorocco,theNetherlands,JapanandHongKong,China,andtheDirector-
General andMr.Lavorel, Deputy Director-General, spoke.
Inthelightofthestatements thathadbeenmade, theChairman invited theChairman ofthe
Working Group onConditions ofService toprepare arevised draftdecision fortheconsideration of
Members, taking intoaccount thelatest developments. Heproposed thatthemeeting beadjourned
inthemeantime andthatitbereconvened attheearliest possible datewithaviewtotaking adecision
onthismatter.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andsoagreed.8
(b) Offices oftheDeputy Directors-General (WT/GC/M/18, 19)
Atitsmeeting inApril 1996, theGeneral Council hadagreed thatthecontracts ofthethree
Deputy Directors-General thatwereduetoexpire on31July1996 beextended foroneyear, andthat
theDirector-General initiate consultations onfurther renewals ornewappointments earlyin1997, well
inadvance ofthedateofexpiration oftheirterms ofoffice.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theDirector-General, inaccordance with
theprocedures forthefuture appointments oftheDeputy Directors-General (BISD 34S/173), informed
theGeneral Council oftheinitiation ofhisconsultations ontheposts oftheDeputy Directors-General.
8Thediscussion atthereconvened meeting willbereflected inanaddendum tothepresent report.WT/GC/10
Page31
Therepresentatives ofMorocco, Pakistan, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, and
Mexico, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theDirector-General announced thathe
haddecided toextend thepresent contracts ofthefourDeputy Directors-General until30April 1999,
thedateonwhich hewould leave office. Hebelieved thatintaking hisdecision hewasnottouching
onMembers 'freedom ofaction tochange thepresent senior management structure9andthetimetable
forimplementing thatchange.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Colombia andMexico, andtheChairman
spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andoftheDirector-General 'sannouncement.
29. Observer status
(a) International intergovernmental organizations (WT/GC/M/17, 18,23,25)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on26November 1996, theChairman saiditwashis
understanding that,pending agreement ontheorganizations tobeaccorded observer status intheGeneral
Council inaccordance withtheguidelines forsuchstatus agreed on18July199610,theUnited Nations,
UNCTAD, IMF, World Bank, FAO, WIPO andOECD would beinvited tothenextmeeting ofthe
General Council.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman noted thattheIMFand
theWorldBankhadbeengivenobserverstatusintheGeneralCouncilandotherWTObodiesasprovided
forintheirrecently concluded respective Agreements withtheWTO (WT/L/195), andproposed the
following withregard tootherinternational intergovernmental organizations thathadrequested observer
status: (a)thattheorganizations thathadadhocobserver status intheGeneral Council, namely, the
United Nations, UNCTAD, FAO, WIPO andOECD begranted observer status immediately; (b)that
theChairman consult ontheinternational intergovernmental organizations whose requests forobserver
status hadnotyetbeenconsidered; and(c)thattheGeneral Council invite other WTO bodies toproceed
inasimilar waywithregard toobserver status forinternational intergovernmental organizations.
Therepresentatives ofJamaica, theUnited States andMorocco spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed totheChairman 'sproposal.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on22October 1997, therepresentative ofEgypt expressed
concern attheinconsistency indealing withrequests forobserver status from certain international
organizations invarious WTO bodies, andrequested information from theChairman onhisefforts
tofindanacceptable solution soontothisissue.
9Seepoint 18-"Institutional reform andrestructuring oftheSecretariat".
10Theguidelines arereproduced asAnnex 3ofWT/L/161.WT/GC/10
Page32
Therepresentatives ofBrunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Bangladesh andArgentina,
andtheChairman spoke. TheChairman saidthathewould reactivate broad informal consultations
withdelegations onthismatter assoonaspossible.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on10December 1997, theChairman reported thathehad
recently heldconsultations onthismatter, andthatfurther consultations would needbeheldearly the
following year. Inthemeantime, heproposed thattheInternational Trade Centre, asajointsubsidiary
organ oftheWTO andUNCTAD, beinvited, asappropriate, toattend meetings ofthose WTO bodies
itwished toattend without having tosubmit arequest forobserver status.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andsoagreed.
(b) Holy See(WT/GC/M/19, 21)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1997, theChairman recalled thatininformal
consultationshehadinformeddelegationsofinformalenquiriesfromtheVaticanregardingthepossibility
ofbeing allowed toobserve meetings oftheGeneral Council, andhadinvited alltoreflect onthismatter
andtoinform himbythetimeofthatmeeting whether theywould haveanydifficulty inconsidering,
atafuture meeting, aformal request fromtheVatican. Heannounced thatnoMember haduntilthen
indicated anydifficulty inconsidering sucharequest.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on16July1997, theGeneral Council considered acommunication from the
HolySeerequesting observer status intheMinisterial Conference andtheGeneral Council (WT/L/221).
Therepresentatives ofIndia andParaguay, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed togrant theHoly Seeobserver
status atmeetings oftheMinisterial Conference andtheGeneral Council. Taking intoaccount the
uniqueness oftheHoly See'ssituation, theGeneral Council further agreed towaive therequirement
concerning theintention toinitiate accession negotiations setoutinAnnex 2oftheRules ofProcedure
(WT/L/161), ontheunderstanding thatthisdidnotconstitute aprecedent forfuture decisions onrequests
forobserver status.
Therepresentatives ofEgypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Paraguay onbehalf oftheLatin American
andCaribbean Group (GRULAC), andIndonesia, andtheobserver fromtheHolySee,andtheDirector-
General andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(c) Ethiopia (WT/GC/M/23)
Atitsmeeting on22October 1997, theGeneral Council considered arequest fromEthiopia
(WT/L/229) forobserver status intheGeneral Council anditssubsidiary bodies, andagreed togrant
therequest.
Therepresentatives ofEthiopia (asanobserver), Morocco onbehalf oftheAfrican Group,
Egypt, Kenya, India, Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, andBangladesh spoke.WT/GC/10
Page33
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
30. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies (WT/GC/M/18)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman saidthatinaccordance
withtheguidelines forappointment ofofficers toWTO bodies (WT/L/31), hehadheldconsultations
onthismatter, andconsidered thatthere wasaconsensus onthefollowing slateofnames:
Chairperson oftheGeneral Council Mr.C.Lafer (Brazil)
Chairperson oftheDispute Settlement Body Mr.W.Armstrong (New Zealand)
Chairperson oftheTrade Policy Review Body Mr.M.Akram (Pakistan)
Chairperson oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods Mr.T.Johannessen (Norway)
Chairperson oftheCouncil forTRIPS Mrs. C.LuzGuarda (Chile)
Chairperson oftheCouncil forTrade inServices Mr.J.Yung Sun(Korea)
Chairperson oftheCommittee onTrade and Mr.B.Ekblom (Finland)
Environment
Chairperson oftheCommittee onTrade and Mr.D.Baichoo (Mauritius)
Development
Chairperson oftheCommittee onBudget, Finance Mr.K.Morjane (Tunisia)
andAdministration
Chairperson oftheCommittee onBalance-of-Payments Mr.P.R.Jenkins (United Kingdom)
Restrictions
Chairperson oftheCommittee onRegional Trading Mr.J.Weekes (Canada)
Arrangements
Therepresentatives ofHong Kong, Singapore onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, andTanzania
spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andoftheconsensus ontheabove slateof
names.
31. Election ofChairperson (WT/GC/M/18)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on7February 1997, theChairman, astheoutgoing presiding
officer oftheGeneral Council, made astatement (WT/GC(97)/ST/1).
TheGeneral Council thenunanimously elected Mr.Lafer (Brazil) totheChair.
32. Review ofWTO activities11(WT/GC/M/25)
33. Annualoverviewofdevelopmentsininternationaltradeandthetradingsystem11(WT/GC/M/25)
Atitsmeetingon10December1997,theGeneralCouncilconductedareviewofWTOactivities
inpursuance oftheDecision concerning procedures fortheoverview ofWTO activities andforreporting
under theWTO (WT/L/105), aswellasanoverview ofdevelopments ininternational trade andthe
11AttheChairman 'ssuggestion thematters under points 32and33were taken uptogether andthediscussion
thereof isreflected accordingly intheMinutes ofthemeeting.WT/GC/10
Page34
trading system asrequired under paragraph GoftheTrade Policy Review Mechanism. Insodoing,
theGeneral Council considered annual reports for1997 from WTO bodies andanannual report by
theDirector-General ondevelopments ininternational trade andthetrading system (WT/TPR/OV/3
andCorr.1).
TheChairpersons oftherespective WTO bodies presented theannual reports submitted by
those bodies.
TheGeneral Council agreed tothecomposition oftheTextiles Monitoring Body asproposed
bytheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods (WT/L/253), andalsoagreed toaproposal by
theDirector-General thattheChairman oftheTMB, Mr.Szepesi, bereappointed forafurther period
ofthree years asof1January 1998.
Therepresentatives ofEcuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Brunei fortheASEAN Members, Egypt,
India, Pakistan, theUnited States, theEuropean Communities, Canada, Norway, Mexico andHong
Kong, China, andtheChairman thenspoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements, adopted thereport oftheCommittee onTrade
andDevelopment andtooknoteofthereports oftheother WTO bodies.
TheChairman oftheTrade Policy Review Body andtheDirector-General thenspoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
TheGeneral Council nextheard statements onboththese points fromrepresentatives12.The
General Council thenagreed thatthereview ofWTO activities andtheoverview ofdevelopments in
international trade andthetrading system for1997 hadbeenconducted. Itfurther agreed thatthe
Chairman would consult withdelegations onthepossibility ofconvening aninformal meeting early
thefollowing yearforthepurposes ofholding apolicy discussion todealwiththematters raised by
delegations relating totheconduct oftheend-of-year reviews intheGeneral Council.
12Thestatements were subsequently circulated asdocuments intheWT/GC(97)/ST/- series.WORLD TRADE WT/GC/10/Add.1
6May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-1508)
General Council
GENERAL COUNCIL
Annual Report (1997)
Addendum1
Atthemeeting oftheGeneral Council inDecember 1997 itwasagreed thatthereport ofthe
General Council tothe1998 Ministerial Conference would consist ofthe1997 annual reports ofthe
General Council anditssubsidiary bodies together withabriefupdate report oftheGeneral Council
concerning developments inthefirstmonths of1998, andthatChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies would
beinvited toreport orally totheGeneral Council onwork donesince December 1997.
Thepresent Addendum setsouttheactions taken bytheGeneral Council inthefirstmonths
of1998, andreproduces, intheAnnex, theoralreports oftheChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies on
work donesince December 1997. TheGeneral Council hasheld3meetings since December 1997.
Theminutes ofthese meetings, which remain therecord oftheGeneral Council 'swork, arecontained
indocuments WT/GC/M/26 -28.
Thefollowing subjects areincluded inthisAddendum:
Page
1. WTO Logo ...............................................10
2. Preparations forthe1998Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe50th
anniversary ofthemultilateral trading system .........................10
3. Arrangements forconvening theHigh-Level Meeting onintegrated initiatives forleast-
developed countries 'trade development .............................12
4. Working Groups ontherelationship between trade andinvestment, theinteraction
between trade andcompetition policy, andtransparency ingovernment procurement
practices .................................................13
5. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................14
(a) Consultations .........................................14
(b) Notes onmeetings .....................................14
1Footnote 8totheannual report inWT/GC/10 indicated thatanaddendum tothereport would reflect the
discussion atthereconvened meeting oftheGeneral Council suspended on14November 1997. Thatmeeting
wasnotreconvened,however,andon19February1998,theGeneralCouncilagreedtoaproposalbyitsChairman
thatthe14November meeting beconsidered closed.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page2
6. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................15
- Reports ............................................15
7. Agreement onPreshipment Inspection -Review under Article 6oftheAgreement ..16
8. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................16
(a) EC/France -Trading arrangements withMorocco ..................16
(b) Hungary -Agricultural export subsidies ........................17
(c) Harmonized System ....................................17
(i) Bangladesh, Bolivia andNicaragua ......................17
(ii) SriLanka ......................................17
(iii) Bangladesh, Nicaragua andSriLanka ....................18
(d) Renegotiations ofSchedules ...............................18
(i) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX .................18
(ii) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII ...............18
(e) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................19
(f) Review ofwaivers pursuant toArticle IX:4oftheWTO Agreement ......19
9. Action pursuant toArticle X:9oftheWTO Agreement ...................20
(a) Deletion oftheInternational Dairy Agreement from Annex 4oftheWTO
Agreement ..........................................20
(b) Deletion oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement from Annex 4ofthe
WTO Agreement ......................................20
10. Accession ................................................20
(a) Andorra ............................................20
(b) Azerbaijan ..........................................21
(c) Georgia ............................................21
(d) Panama ............................................21
(e) Seychelles ...........................................22
11. Marrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization ............22
- Extension oftime-limit foracceptance oftheAgreement bytheRepublic of
theCongo ...........................................22
12. Brazil -Import financing restrictions ...............................23
13. Peru-Recent customs tariff changes ...............................23
14. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................23
15. Frugality measures inKorea ....................................23
16. United States -Recent action withregard toKorea under Section 301oftheOmnibus
Trade andCompetitiveness Actof1988 .............................23
17. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................24
18. Institutional reform andrestructuring oftheSecretariat ...................24
19. Scheduling ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page3
20. Follow-up toparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration ...........25
21. Frequency ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25
22. Supply ofinformation totheintegrated databaseforpersonal computers ........26
23. Issuance ofaDaily Bulletin .....................................26
24. Secretariat efforts toimprove transparency andgeneral contact withthepublic .....26
25. Status ofthecollaboration between theWTO andILOSecretariats pursuant to
paragraph 4oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration .....................27
26. Arrangements foreffective cooperation withother intergovernmental organizations ..27
(a) Office International desEpizooties ...........................27
(b) IMFandWorld Bank ...................................27
27. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO ..........................28
- Reports oftheJoint Advisory Group ..........................28
28. Administrative matters ........................................28
(a) Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff...........................28
(b) Offices oftheDeputy Directors-General ........................30
29. Observer status ............................................31
(a) International intergovernmental organizations .....................31
(b) Holy See...........................................32
(c) Ethiopia ............................................32
30. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................33
31. Election ofChairperson .......................................33
32. Review ofWTO activities ......................................33
33. Annual overview ofdevelopments ininternational trade andthetrading system ....33
1. Preparations forthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe
50thAnniversary ofthemultilateral trading system ......................7
(a) Organizational matters ...................................7
(b) Participation ofleast-developed countries .......................10
(c) Attendance ofinternational intergovernmental organizations ...........10
(d) Attendance ofobservers atworking sessions .....................11
(e) Attendance ofnon-governmental organizations ....................11
(f) Report bytheDirector-General .............................11
(g) Progress reports bytheChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies ............12
2. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................12
- .................................................12
3. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................12
- Reports ............................................12WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page4
4. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................13
(a) Harmonized System ....................................13
- Bangladesh, Nicaragua, SriLanka ......................13
(b) Renegotiation ofSchedule .................................13
- Zambia .......................................13
(c) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................13
5. Accession ................................................13
(a) Azerbaijan ..........................................13
(b) Laos ..............................................14
6. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................14
7. Outcome ofthemajor review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement onTextiles and
Clothing .................................................15
8. Notification obligations andprocedures .............................15
9. Global electronic commerce ....................................15
10. Transparency andderestriction ...................................16
11. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................16
12. Comments being directed toindividual cases brought before thedispute settlement
system .................................................17
13. Premature disclosure ofdispute settlement panel reports ...................17
14. WTO Secretariat andSenior Management Structure .....................17
15. Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/M/28) .....................18
16. WTO Daily Bulletin .........................................19
17. Observer status ............................................20
(a) Governments .........................................20
(i) Bhutan ........................................20
(ii) Cape Verde .....................................20
(b) International intergovernmental organizations .....................20
18. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................20
19. Election ofChairperson .......................................21
ANNEX .........................22
1. Election ofChairperson .......................................6
2. Chairmanship oftheAppellate Body ...............................6WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page5
3. Terms ofoffice ofAppellate Body members (Article 17.2oftheDSU) .........7
4. Rules ofConduct fortheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing the
Settlement ofDisputes .......................................7
5. Indicative listofgovernmental andnon-governmental panelists ..............7
6. Practice thathasdeveloped under Article 6.1oftheDSU ..................8
7. Requests tobejoined inconsultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU ..........8
8. Application ofArticle 4.11oftheDSU .............................9
9. Confidentiality ofpanel andAppellate Body reports .....................9
10. Statement bytheoutgoing Chairman oftheDSB .......................9
11. Letter fromtheWorld Wide Fund forNature totheChairman ofthePanel on"United
States -Import Prohibition ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp Products" ...........9
12. Adoption ofthe1997 Draft Annual Report oftheDSB(WT/DSB/M/39) ........10
13. Review oftheDSU ..........................................10
14. Recourse todispute settlement procedures ............................10
(a) Argentina ...........................................10
(i) Measures affecting imports offootwear, textiles, apparel andother
items .........................................10
(ii) Measures affecting textiles andclothing ...................11
(b) Australia ...........................................11
- Measures affecting importation ofsalmon ..................11
(c) Brazil .............................................12
(i) Export financing programme foraircraft ..................12
(ii) Measures affecting desiccated coconut ....................12
(iii) Measures affecting imports oftextiles from Hong Kong .........12
(d) Canada ............................................12
- Certain measures concerning periodicals ...................12
(e) Chile ..............................................13
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages .........................13
(f) European Communities ..................................13
(i) Customs classification ofsome computer equipment ...........13
(ii) Duties onimports ofgrains ...........................14
(iii) Measures affecting butter products ......................15
(iv) Measures affecting importation ofcertain poultry products .......15
(v) Regime fortheimportation, saleanddistribution ofbananas ......16
(g) Guatemala ..........................................17
- Anti-dumping investigation regarding portland cement from
Mexico .......................................17
(h) Hungary ............................................17
- Export subsidies inrespect ofagricultural products ............17
(i) India ..............................................18WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page6
(i) Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................18
(ii) Quantitativerestrictionsonimportsofagricultural,textileandindustrial
products ......................................18
(j) Indonesia ...........................................19
- Certain measures affecting theautomobile industry ............19
(k) Japan ..............................................20
(i) Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................20
(ii) Measures affecting agricultural products ...................21
(l) Korea .............................................21
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................21
(m) Pakistan ............................................22
- Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................22
(n) Turkey .............................................22
- Taxation offoreign filmrevenues .......................22
(o) United States .........................................22
(i) Anti-dumpingdutyondynamicrandomaccessmemorysemiconductors
(DRAMS) ofonemegabyte orabove from Korea .............22
(ii) Import prohibition ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products ........23
(iii) Imposition ofanti-dumping duties onimports ofcolour television
receivers from Korea ..............................24
(iv) Measure affecting imports ofwoven wool shirts andblouses from
India .........................................24
(v) Measures affecting textiles andapparel products ..............24
(vi) Restrictions onimports ofcotton andman-made fibreunderwear ...25
(vii) Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........25
(viii) TheCuban Liberty andDemocratic Solidarity Act............26
15. Surveillance ofimplementation ofrecommendations adopted bytheDSB ........26
(a) United States .........................................26
- Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........26
(b) Japan ..............................................28
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ...............................28
ANNEX .........................29WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page7
1. Preparations forthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe
50thAnniversary ofthemultilateral trading system
(a) Organizational matters (WT/GC/M/26, 272,28)
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon19February1998,theChairmanreadthefollowingstatement
fortherecord, identifying points onwhich consensus appeared tobeemerging andmatters onwhich
further discussion wasrequired:
"Points onwhich consensus appears tobeemerging:
1. Inaccordance with thedecision already taken bytheGeneral Council on
22October 1997, theMinisterial Conference willbegin onthemorning of18May
andwilllastthrough theafternoon of19May, followed bythecommemoration of
the50th Anniversary on20May with theparticipation ofHeads ofState or
Governments. Itisunderstood thatthese aretwodistinct events.
2. Thesubstantive agenda fortheMinisterial Conference willconsist oftwobroad areas
fordiscussion: implementation oftheWTO work programme andfuture activities
oftheWTO.
3. There willbeashort formal opening oftheConference onthemorning of18May,
followed bytwosessions fordiscussions among Ministers. Thefirstsession would
coverissuesrelatingtoimplementationoftheworkprogramme;asecondsessionwould
cover future activities oftheWTO. Discussions would begin onthemorning of18May
andcontinue through theafternoon ofthatdayandthemorning of19May.
4. Theformal closing session oftheConference would beheldintheafternoon of19May
where therelevant decisions would betaken, including election ofofficers, venue and
dateofthenextMinisterial Conference.
5. Ministers sowishing could provide ageneral statement totheSecretariat fordistribution
toother delegations andtothepress. These statements would cover twoitems:
implementation andfuture activities.
6. Thecommemoration ofthe50thAnniversary tobeheldon20Maywould beopen
totheparticipation ofallMembers oftheWTO.
Matters onwhich further discussion isrequired:
1. Whether discussion byMinisters onthetwosubstantive items oftheagenda should
berecorded inminutes oftheConference orshould betotally informal, andtheamount
oftimeandthepriorities tobeattributed tothediscussions inthese twoareas.
2. Thenature ofanyaction byMinisters concerning thesediscussions, i.e.thepreparation
ofaChairman 'ssumming-up, orofashort declaration, and/or ofadecision on
preparations forthenextMinisterial Conference.
2Seefootnote 3.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page8
3. Thescenario forthecommemoration ofthe50thAnniversary withtheparticipation
ofHeads ofState orGovernment."
TherepresentativesofEgypt,Pakistan,Korea,Jamaica,Nigeria,India,Bangladesh,Madagascar,
andBrunei Darussalam onbehalf oftheASEAN Members spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andthatthepoints raised bydelegations would
bediscussed further ininformal consultations.
Atitsmeeting on2and14April 19983,theGeneral Council further considered preparations
forthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthe50thAnniversary commemoration.
On2April, theDirector-General presented afirstreport onhisconsultations concerning
substantive aspects ofthepreparations fortheMinisterial Conference andinparticular thepreparation
ofatexttobeadopted byMinisters.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Egypt, Uganda, Pakistan, Tanzania, Mauritius, India,
Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, Morocco andAustralia, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
Also on2April, theGeneral Council agreed thattheMinisterial Conference andthe
commemoration ofthe50thAnniversary beorganized along thefollowing points:
1. DiscussionsamongMinistersonthesubstantiveitemswouldbeheldinworkingsessions
oftheMinisterial Conference. Minutes ofthese discussions would beprepared and
circulated todelegations.
2. Therecords ofthe1998 Ministerial Conference would comprise thethree statements
attheformal opening session, thewritten statements submitted byMinisters, andthe
proceedings oftheformal closing session, which would, interalia,record adecision
onthedate, venue andofficers ofthenextMinisterial Conference.
3. Thesubstantive outcome oftheMinisterial Conference would bereflected inashort
textwhich would include cleardirectives, withatime-bound process, forpreparations
forthethird Ministerial Conference, andwould dealinabalanced waywithboth
substantive items i.e.implementation ofWTO Agreements andfuture activities. This
would beanegotiated text.
4. Thecommemoration ofthe50th Anniversary would beapublic event withthe
participation ofministerial delegations, observer governments andinternational
organizations, andattendance bynon-governmental organizations, thepress andother
personalities whomight beinvited.
Theworking sessions would beopentotheparticipation ofallMembers.
TheGeneral Council alsoagreed on2April toaproposal byitsChairman concerning the
initiation ofaprocess ofconsultations bytheDirector-General withallMembers onthepossible text
3Themeeting oftheGeneral Council of2and14April 1998 willremain insession until theMinisterial
Conference. Theminutes ofthismeeting willbecirculated subsequently asWT/GC/M/27, andanAddendum
tothisreport willreflect thediscussion atanyreconvened meetings beyond 14April.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page9
ofthesubstantive outcome oftheMinisterial Conference. Thisprocess would becarried outinclose
consultation withtheChairman oftheGeneral Council. TheDirector-General would consult onan
open-ended basistoensure thatalldelegations hadanopportunity toregister theirviews. TheGeneral
Council would meetweekly ifnecessary toconsider progress reports bytheDirector-General. The
Director-General wasinvited toprepare adraftsubstantive outcome oftheMinisterial Conference for
circulation toMembers by20April; thisdraftwould bebased onthediscussions intheGeneral Council
andontheviews obtained bytheDirector-General inhisconsultations. TheGeneral Council further
agreed thatthepresent meeting would remain insession sothatfurther meetings could beorganized
atshort notice.
On14April, theGeneral Council agreed that,inthelightofrecent developments withregard
totheattendance ofHeads ofState orGovernment atthe50thAnniversary commemoration event,
thetwoevents nowbeorganized asfollows:
1. TheMinisterial Conference would openonthemorning ofMonday, 18Mayasplanned
forthethree opening presentations, namely bytheChairman oftheMinisterial
Conference,theDirector-General,andtheChairmanoftheGeneralCouncil.Following
these statements, theformal Ministerial Conference would beadjourned.
2. Theworking session onimplementation would begin ontheafternoon ofMonday,
18Mayandcontinue untilearlyevening. Thepossibility ofcontinuing thisdiscussion
inthemorning ofTuesday, 19Mayifnecessary could beenvisaged.
3. Tuesday, 19May would bedesignated asthedayforthe50th Anniversary
Commemoration. Accordingly, theMinisterial Conference would adjourn either on
theevening ofMonday the18thorthemorning ofTuesday the19th, toensure that
thetwoevents remained distinct.
4. TheMinisterial Conference would reconvene onWednesday, 20May. Theworking
session onfuture activities would beheldinthemorning, andtheclosing formal session
atwhich theresults would beadopted would beheldintheafternoon.
5. There would benochanges totheagreement regarding theother organizational matters
thatwasreached on2April.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatinaddition
toSingapore 'sandSwitzerland 'sconfirmed attendance attheHead ofState orGovernment levelat
the50thAnniversary event, uptotwelve other Members wereactively considering attendance atthat
level, some ofwhich were atamore advanced stage. Heinvited Members whointended tobe
represented bytheirHeads ofState orGovernment tocommunicate details oftheirparticipation to
theSecretariat assoonaspossible andinanycasenolaterthan1May1998.
Therepresentative ofNorway announced thathiscountry 'sPrime Minister would attend the
50thAnniversary event.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page10
(b) Participation ofleast-developed countries (WT/GC/M/274)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on2and14April 1998, theChairman made anappeal to
Members inaposition tocontribute toaTrust Fund tobecreated forthepurpose offinancing the
participationoftheleast-developedcountriesatthe1998MinisterialConferenceandthe50thAnniversary
commemoration, inkeeping withthepastpractice ofvoluntary contributions tocover thecostsofsuch
participation, tocontact theSecretariat assoonaspossible.
Therepresentatives ofUganda andEgypt spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(c) Attendance ofinternational intergovernmental organizations (WT/GC/M/275,28)
Atitsmeeting on2and14April 1998, theGeneral Council agreed tothefollowing approach
withregard tointernational organization observers attheMinisterial Conference:
1. Theorganizations thatweregranted observer status attheMinisterial Conference in
1996 would beinvited tothe1998 Ministerial Conference pursuant toparagraph 10
oftheguidelines forobserver status forinternational organizations intheWTO
(WT/L/161, Annex 3).
2. Withregard toother organizations notalready invited asobservers totheMinisterial
Conference, thesameprocedure asfollowed forthe1996Ministerial Conference would
apply. Inother words, organizations thatwereobservers totheGeneral Council would
beinvited automatically; those thatwereobservers tosubsidiary WTO bodies andthat
requested attendance attheMinisterial Conference asobservers would alsobeinvited;
andconsultations would beheldonrequests received fromorganizations notpresently
observers toanyWTO body.
3. Since Ministers would notreadgeneral statements attheMinisterial Conference, but
would beinvited tocirculate written statements, international organizations would
beinvited todothesame. Thisapplied onlytotheMinisterial Conference, since the
format ofthe50thAnniversary commemoration event remained tobedecided.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theChairman recalled thatataninformal
meeting on22April, hehadraised withdelegations arequest forobserver status attheMinisterial
Conference fromtheSouth Centre, anorganization notpresently anobserver toanyWTO body, and
asked iftherequest could begranted.
TheGeneral Council agreed togrant therequest bytheSouth Centre.
4Seefootnote 3.
5Seefootnote 3.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page11
(d) Attendance ofobservers atworking sessions (WT/GC/M/276)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on2and14April 1998, theChairman saidthatsince most
ofthesubstantive discussions among Ministers would takeplace inworking sessions heldbetween
theformal opening andclosing plenary meetings, withthediscussions tobereflected intheminutes
ofthesesessions, heunderstood thatobserver governments andobserver international intergovernmental
organizations would beentitled toattend theworking sessions although, given thelimited amount of
timethatwould beavailable, itwasunlikely theywould beabletospeak.
Therepresentative ofEgypt spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(e) Attendance ofnon-governmental organizations (WT/GC/M/26, 277)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman recalled that,inpreparing
forthe1996 Ministerial Conference, theGeneral Council hadagreed onthefollowing procedures
regarding theattendance ofNGOs: (i)NGOs would beallowed toattend onlythePlenary Sessions
oftheConference (without therighttospeak); (ii)applications from NGOs toberegistered would
beaccepted onthebasisofArticle V,paragraph 2oftheWTO Agreement, i.e.suchNGOs "concerned
withmatters related tothose oftheWTO"; and(iii)adeadline would beestablished fortheregistration
ofNGOs thatwished toattend theConference. Inorder toproceed withtherequests from NGOs
wishing toattend thenextMinisterial Conference inMay, andthe50thAnniversary commemoration,
heproposed thatthesame criteria asusedfortheSingapore Ministerial Conference beapplied. In
order toallow fortheprocessing ofthelistoftheNGOs having requested registration anditscirculation
fortheinformation oftheMembers, thedeadline forregistration would be31March 1998, and
confirmation ofregistration would subsequently besenttotheNGOs.
Therepresentatives ofEgypt andNigeria spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed toapply thecriteria enumerated
bytheChairman regarding theattendance ofNGOs.
Atitsmeetingon2and14April1998,theChairmaninformedtheGeneralCouncilthat151non-
governmental organizations hadrequested aregistration formtoattend the1998Ministerial Conference
andthe50thAnniversarycommemorationevent,andthatalistoftheseorganizationswouldbecirculated
toMembers on3April fortheirinformation before theconfirmation ofregistration wassentoutby
theSecretariat on15April.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
(f) Report bytheDirector-General (WT/GC/M/28)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theDirector-General presented anoralreport
onthework undertaken thusfarinconsultations heldbyhimonadraftMinisterial text.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
6Seefootnote 3.
7Seefootnote 3.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page12
(g) Progress reports bytheChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies (WT/GC/M/28)
InDecember 1997, theGeneral Council agreed thatChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies beinvited
toreport orally totheGeneral Council atitsfinalmeeting before theMinisterial Conference onwork
doneintheirrespective areassinceDecember 1997. TheGeneral Council hadnoted thattheinformation
provided bytheChairpersons intheiroralreports would bereflected intheupdate oftheGeneral
Council 'sannual report tobesubmitted totheMinisterial Conference.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theChairpersons ofthesubsidiary bodies
oftheGeneral Council aswellastheChairpersons oftheDSBandtheTPRB reported ontheprogress
ofwork inthose bodies.8
Therepresentative ofEgypt andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteoftheprogress reports andofthestatements.
2. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions
- Consultations (WT/GC/M/26, 28)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman oftheCommittee on
Balance-of-Payments Restrictions introduced theCommittee 'sreports onitsconsultations withPakistan
(WT/BOP/R/39) andtheSlovak Republic (WT/BOP/R/40).
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement andadopted thereports inWT/BOP/R/39 and
WT/BOP/R/40.
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon24April1998,theChairmanoftheCommitteeonBalance-of-
Payments Restrictions introduced theCommittee 'sreport onitsconsultation with Nigeria
(WT/BOP/R/41).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, theEuropean Communities, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, Switzerland, Norway andNigeria spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andadopted thereport inWT/BOP/R/41.
3. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration
- Reports (WT/GC/M/28)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theChairman oftheCommittee onBudget,
Finance andAdministration introduced theCommittee 'sreport inWT/BFA/35.
TheGeneral Council took note ofthestatement, approved theCommittee 'sspecific
recommendation inparagraph 16ofitsreport inWT/BFA/35, andadopted thereport.
8TheprogressreportsbytheChairpersonsarereproducedintheAnnextothisreport.TheChairmanindicated
hisunderstanding atthemeeting thattheChairman oftheCommittee onBudget, Finance andAdministration
hadnothing further toreport atthepresent stage inaddition tohispresentation oftheCommittee 'sreport referred
toinpoint 3below.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page13
4. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement
(a) Harmonized System
- Bangladesh, Nicaragua, SriLanka (WT/GC/M/28)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theGeneral Council considered requests byBangladesh
(G/L/227), Nicaragua (G/L/230) andSriLanka (G/L/229/Rev.1) forextensions ofwaivers previously
granted inconnection withtheirimplementation oftheHarmonized System, anddraftdecisions tothis
effect (Bangladesh -G/C/W/107/Rev.1; Nicaragua -G/C/W/110 andCorr.1; SriLanka -G/C/W/109).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods, reported ontheconsideration oftheserequests
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecisions
(Bangladesh -WT/L/264; Nicaragua -WT/L/265; SriLanka -WT/L/266).
(b) Renegotiation ofSchedule
- Zambia (WT/GC/M/28)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theGeneral Council considered arequest byZambia (G/L/228)
foranextension ofawaiver previously granted inconnection withitsrenegotiation ofitsschedule,
andadraftdecision tothiseffect (G/C/W/108).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods, reported ontheconsideration ofthisrequest
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/267).
(c) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO schedules of
tariff concessions on1January 1996 (WT/GC/M/28)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theGeneral Council considered adraftdecision extending
thetime-limit oftheDecision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO schedules
oftariff concessions on1January 1996 (G/C/W/111).
TheChairman oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods, reported ontheconsideration ofthismatter
bytheCouncil.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthereport and,inaccordance withtheDecision-Making
Procedures under Articles IXandXIIoftheWTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted thedraftdecision
(WT/L/268).
5. Accession
(a) Azerbaijan (WT/GC/M/28)
InJuly1997,theGeneralCouncilestablishedaworkingpartytoexamineAzerbaijan'sapplication
foraccession totheWTO Agreement, andauthorized itsChairman todesignate theChairperson ofWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page14
theWorking Party inconsultation withrepresentatives ofMembers andwiththerepresentative of
Azerbaijan.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theChairman informed theGeneral Council that
Mr.W.Höynck (Germany) hadagreed tochair theWorking Party.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation.
Therepresentative ofJapan, andtheChairman andtheSecretary oftheGeneral Council spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(b) Laos (WT/GC/M/26, 28)
Atitsmeeting on19February 1998, theGeneral Council considered acommunication from
Laos (WT/ACC/LAO/1) concerning itsinterest inacceding totheWTO Agreement pursuant to
Article XII.
Therepresentative ofLaos(asanobserver), Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Japan,
andAustralia spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish aworking party to
examine theapplication byLaos, andauthorized itsChairman todesignate theChairperson ofthe
Working Party inconsultation withrepresentatives ofMembers andwiththerepresentative ofLaos.
TheChairman invited Laos, onbehalf oftheGeneral Council, toattend meetings oftheGeneral
Council and,asappropriate, meetings ofother WTO bodies asanobserver during theperiod inwhich
theWorking Party wascarrying outitswork.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatMr.G.Raby
(Australia) hadagreed tochair theWorking Party.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthisinformation andofthestatements byJapan, theChairman
andtheSecretary oftheGeneral Council made under sub-point 5(a).
6. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession (WT/GC/M/26)
Atitsmeeting on19February 1998, theGeneral Council considered acommunication from
theUnited States (WT/GC/W/76) expressing concern thatEcuador hadnotyetimplemented certain
commitments initsProtocol ofAccession.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Ecuador9andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
9ThefulltextofEcuador 'sstatement presenting itssecond annual report onthestatus ofimplementation
ofitsaccession commitments wassubsequently circulated asWT/GC/COM/4.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page15
7. Outcome ofthemajor review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement onTextiles andClothing
(WT/GC/M/26)
Atthemeeting oftheGeneral Council on19February 1998, theChairman oftheCouncil for
Trade inGoods recalled thathehadinformed theGeneral Council inDecember 1997 thattheGoods
CouncilhadconductedthemajorreviewoftheimplementationoftheAgreementonTextilesandClothing
inmeetings heldfrom October toDecember, andthatinspiteofdetermined efforts bymany, ithad
notbeenpossible toarrive atsufficient common ground onthesummary ofthediscussions andon
asetofconclusions tothereview thatwould attract consensus. InJanuary 1998, consultations had
beenheldwithanumber ofdelegations and,asaresult ofthespirit ofcompromise andflexibility shown
bytheMembers thathadparticipated actively inthesubsequent informal consultations, ithadbeen
possible toreach substantive agreement onatextcontaining adetailed summary ofthediscussions
andconclusions, which hadbeenadopted bytheGoods Council on16February (G/L/224).
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
8. Notification obligations andprocedures (WT/GC/M/26)
InNovember1996,theCouncilforTradeinGoods,havingconsideredthereportoftheWorking
GrouponNotificationObligationsandProceduresandtherecommendationscontainedtherein(G/L/112),
made thefollowing recommendations totheGeneral Council: "(a)TheCouncil requests theGeneral
Council totakethenecessary steps toeliminate thenotification obligations intheDecisions ofthe
GATT1947CONTRACTINGPARTIESrelatingtoimportlicensingprocedures(L/3756andSR/28/6);
(b)TheCouncilrequeststheMinisterialConferenceortheGeneralCounciltoconsidertheestablishment,
atanappropriate time, ofabodywithamandate toreview thenotification obligations andprocedures
throughout theWTO Agreement. Alternatively, consideration might begiven totheestablishment
ofabody, ortheextension/modification ofthemandate ofthecurrent Working Group, toconduct,
atanappropriate time, afurther comprehensive review ofthenotification obligations andprocedures
intheagreements inAnnex 1AoftheWTO Agreement. Itwassuggested thatfuture work also
encompassmattersrelatingtotheCentralRegistryofNotifications,electronictransmissionofnotifications
andfurther work onthenotifications handbook" (G/L/134, Section II).Atitsmeeting on7,8and
13November 1996, theGeneral Council hadapproved therecommendations oftheCouncil forTrade
inGoods andagreed torevert tothismatter atafuture meeting.
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman proposed that(i)onthe
basis ofdiscussions heldbytheformer Chairman oftheWorking Group onNotification Obligations
andProcedures, therecommendation oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods insub-paragraph (b)bekept
under review, andreverted toatafuture dateasappropriate; andthat(ii)inpursuance ofthe
recommendation insub-paragraph (a),theGeneral Council adopt thedraftdecision intheAnnex to
WT/GC/W/75 inorder toeliminate thenotification obligations relating toimport licensing procedures
intherelevant Decision oftheCONTRACTING PARTIES totheGATT 1947.
Therepresentative oftheUnited States spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed totheChairman 'sproposals.
9. Global electronic commerce (WT/GC/M/26, 28)
Atitsmeeting on19February 1998, theGeneral Council considered aproposal bytheUnited
States regarding global electronic commerce (WT/GC/W/78).WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page16
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Egypt, Japan, Australia, theEuropean Communities,
Canada,NewZealand,Nigeria,Switzerland,India,Pakistan,BruneiDarussalamonbehalfoftheASEAN
Members, Norway, Turkey, Hungary andHong Kong, China, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
Atitsmeetingon24April1998,theGeneralCouncilconsideredaproposalbyCanadaregarding
atariff standstill forelectronic commerce (WT/GC/W/82), andheard apresentation bytheEuropean
Communities regarding arecently circulated communication onelectronic commerce (WT/GC/W/85).
Therepresentatives ofCanada, theUnited States, Japan, theEuropean Communities, Norway,
Switzerland, NewZealand, Argentina, theCzech Republic, Pakistan, Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN
Members, Australia, Egypt, India, Brazil, Chile, Korea, Hungary, Iceland, Poland andHong Kong,
China spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
10. Transparency andderestriction (WT/GC/M/26, 28)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, therepresentative oftheUnited States
saidthatthetimehadcome toevaluate theGeneral Council 'sdecision ofJuly1996regarding procedures
forthecirculation andderestriction ofdocuments (WT/L/160/Rev.1), paragraph 7ofwhich called
ontheGeneral Council toreview andifnecessary modify theprocedures notlaterthanJuly1998.
Inorder topermit theGeneral Council tocarry outitsresponsibilities inrelation totherequired review,
theUnited States proposed thattheGeneral Council agree toorganize informal open-ended consultations
amongst interested delegations withtheaimofconsidering possible modifications tothese procedures.
Therepresentatives ofCanada, theEuropean Communities, Mexico, Norway, IndiaandEgypt,
andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andagreed thatitsChairman consider ways
andmeans toadvance theproposal bytheUnited States.
AttheGeneralCouncilmeetingon24April1998,therepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesrecalled
herdelegation 'ssuggestion atthe19February meeting forinformal open-ended consultations toconsider
possible modifications totheJuly1996 Decision onprocedures forthecirculation andderestriction
ofWTO documents, andasked iftheChairman could inform Members astohisideas onthismatter.
Therepresentatives ofCanada andMexico, andtheChairman spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
11. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO (WT/GC/M/26)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman saidthathehadbeen
veryencouraged tonotethatanumber ofMembers hadadjusted theirWTO accreditation practices
totheinternational practice inrespect ofrepresentation tointernational organizations --outlined in
aNotebytheSecretariat of4December (WT/GC/W/72) --andhoped thatmore Members would begin
tomove inthisdirection.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page17
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
12. Comments being directed toindividual cases brought before thedispute settlement system
(WT/GC/M/26)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theDirector-General expressed concern
thatanumber ofcomments hadbeendirected overthepastfewmonths toindividual cases brought
before thedispute settlement system. While these comments hadnodoubt beenmade ingood faith,
insome cases theyhadnotbeenmade onthebasis ofalltherelevant facts. Comments based ona
lessthancomplete knowledge ofaparticular case,ormade while itwasstillinprogress, wereanunfair
challenge totheintegrity ofthedispute settlement system, totheWTO 'srule-based procedures, and
tothemultilateral trading system. Hewished toincrease theawareness ofthisproblem among all
Members, andwould callittotheattention oftheappropriate WTO bodies inthecontext ofthereview
ofthedispute settlement system thathadtobeundertaken before theendof1998.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
13. Premature disclosure ofdispute settlement panel reports (WT/GC/M/28)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theDirector-General expressed concern
thatthepremature disclosure ofdispute settlement panel reports threatened toundermine theWTO 's
Dispute Settlement Understanding, andhoped thatMembers would discuss thismatter inthereview
oftheDSU laterintheyear. Such premature disclosures caused twofundamental problems. First,
theythreatened thecredibility andimage oftheWTO asaninstitution and,second, theyundermined
thedispute settlement system. There wereseveral possibilities thatMembers might wishtoconsider
todealwiththismatter, andtheissuewashowtodealwithitinamanner thatminimized thedamage
totheWTO asaninstitution andtotheintegrity ofthedispute settlement system.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Tunisia, Thailand and
Colombia spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
14. WTO Secretariat andSenior Management Structure (WT/GC/M/28)
InApril 1997, theGeneral Council decided: (i)torequest theDirector-General tosubmit a
report withhisrecommendations notlaterthanOctober 1997 onhowthefunctioning andoperational
efficiency oftheSecretariat might beenhanced tomeetchallenges facing theOrganization, including
through arationalization ofthesenior management structure inthelightofMembers 'intention toreduce
significantly thenumber ofDeputy Directors-General; and(ii)thatconsideration ofthematters referred
tointheprevious paragraph would beinitiated before theendof1997, sothatdecisions might betaken
before theappointment ofthenextDirector-General andreflected inthe1999 Budget oftheWTO
(WT/L/207). InDecember 1997, theGeneral Council tooknotethattheDirector-General 'sreport
(WT/GC/W/74) hadrecently beendiscussed ininformal consultations andthattheChairman intended
toholdfurther consultations early thefollowing year.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theChairman informed theGeneral Council thatalthough
ithadbeenhisintention topropose, onthebasisofconsultations hehadheld,thattheGeneral Council
agree toreduce thenumber ofposts ofDeputy Directors-General inthefuture senior managementWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page18
structure oftheSecretariat totwo,andthatother aspects oftheDirector-General 'sreport remain open
forfurther consideration, onedelegation wasfirmly oftheviewthatagreement onthisaspect should
onlybereached inconjunction withanunderstanding toundertake afurther study onhowtheSecretariat
should respond tothechallenges outlined intheDirector-General 'sreport. Given theimportance of
taking anearly decision onthenumber ofDeputy Directors-General, heproposed toconsult onthis
matter assoonaspossible andtorevert toitwhen themeeting of2and14April wasreconvened in
early May.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
15. Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/M/28)
Atitsmeeting on14November 1997, theGeneral Council invited theChairman oftheWorking
Group onConditions ofService toprepare arevised draftdecision onthismatter fortheconsideration
ofMembers taking intoaccount thelatest developments, andagreed thatitsmeeting beadjourned and
reconvened attheearliest possible datewithaviewtotaking adecision thereon. On19February 1998,
theGeneral Council agreed toaproposal byitsChairman thatthe14November meeting beconsidered
closed, andthatthequestion ofconditions ofservice betaken upagain atafuture meeting oftheGeneral
Council asandwhen itbecame ready forconsideration.
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theGeneral Council considered adraftdecision onthismatter
(WT/GC/W/83).
TheChairman readthefollowing statement withregard tothedraftdecision: "Inthecourse
oftheconsultations which Ihaveheldonthedraftdecision onConditions ofService Applicable to
theStaff oftheWTO Secretariat, anumber ofMembers haveraised questions withrespect tothe
intention ofcertain partsofthedecision. Thefollowing statement isintended toclarify those intentions.
Inadopting thedecision indocument WT/GC/W/83 WTO Members willtakethedecision today to
establishapermanentWTOSecretariatwithitsownregulationsandrules.Thisisanextremelyimportant
step,building ontheMarrakesh Ministerial Decision, and,Iknow, hasonlybeenpossible because
ofthehardwork ofmany representatives andofficials bothinGeneva andincapitals. Inadopting
thisdecision today, theGeneral Council willstress, inthePreamble, theneedforefficiency gains,
improved priority-setting andothersavings toensure cost-neutrality intheWTO budget. Inthatrespect,
wemust remember thattheWTO budget reflects therequirements thatMembers place upon the
organization, including insuchessential areas astechnical assistance, translation, dispute settlement
andaccession ofnewmembers, allareasinwhich thepressure forworkhasconsistently beenincreasing
since theestablishment oftheWTO. Wearealsoputting increasing demands ontheDirector-General
andtheSecretariat withrespect tothefollow-up oftheHigh Level Meeting fortheLeast Developed
Countries. Moreover, various Members haveputforward ideasonimplementation andfuture activities
oftheWTO inthecontext ofthepreparation oftheMayMinisterial Conference, which maywellplace
further strains ontheresources oftheSecretariat.
"Inthislight, Iwould remind Members thatthedecision weshalladopt today isadecision
ontheconditions ofservice applicable tothestaffoftheWTO Secretariat. Itisnot,inanyway, a
decision onthebudget oftheorganization infuture years. Decisions onthebudget oftheWTO will,
ofcourse, betaken eachyearinaccordance withestablished procedures; Iknow thatallMembers
would expect thecurrent highlevelofservice oftheSecretariat tobemaintained. Insetting 1January
1999asthetarget datefortheestablishment oftheWTO Secretariat, itisimportant torecall thatthis
issuehasnowbeenonthetableforoverfouryears. Every effort should bemade toavoid anyfurther
postponement oftheestablishment oftheSecretariat beyond 1January 1999. Inother words, 1January
1999 should beseenasthedeadline. Thedecision weadopt today willrequire serious efforts fromWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page19
allofusinorder toestablish thepermanent WTO Secretariat by1January 1999. First, theWorking
Group onConditions ofService Applicable totheStaffoftheWTO Secretariat mustdraftadetailed
proposal thatmeets thecriteria specified inthisdecision. Second, itwillbesubject toactuarial review.
Third, theGeneral Council willhavetoadopt theproposal andauthorize theDirector-General toinform
theUnited Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund thattheICITO wishes toapply fortermination ofits
membership intheFund.
"Inorder thatwemaybegin thisprocess assoon aspossible andmeet ourdeadline of
1January 1999, Ihaveheldconsultations ontheappointment ofanewChairman oftheWorking Group.
With youragreement, Ipropose thatMr.R.Farrell (New Zealand) takeonthisChairmanship.10I
expect thatyouwillallreceive acommunication veryshortly from theChairman astothedateon
which theWorking Group willresume itswork. Thedecision provides guidance totheWorking Group
ontheparameters oftheproposal itistodevelop. Paragraph oneoftheAnnex provides thatatthe
outset theproposal mustnotprovide salary andbenefit levels thatintheaggregate exceed salary and
benefitlevelsintheUNCommonSystem,itbeingunderstoodthattheonlymeaningfulwayofmeasuring
those levels willbeincostterms. However, within those parameters, theproposal mayprovide for
redistribution ofbenefits, including within theproposed pension plan, provided thattheyaretargeted
atspecifically defined problems. While attheoutset theUNCommon System willserve asaceiling
withrespect tosalary andbenefit levels, itwillalsoserve asafloor. Nothing intheDecision orthe
Annex willworsen thesalary andbenefit levels thatpresent staffmembers oftheWTO Secretariat
enjoy. Pursuant toparagraph twooftheAnnex, theproposal mustcontain aprojection showing that
proposed salary andbenefit levels, including administrative andother related costs, willbecostneutral
overthenextfivetoseven years. Inother words, itmust beestablished thattheprojected costs of
theproposed system willnotexceed theprojected costs oftheUNCommon System during thistime
frame. Byremaining within these parameters, theproposal thatwewilladopt willbecostneutral
ascompared withtheUNCommon System. Inconclusion, Iwould liketopropose thattheDraft
Decision nowbeadopted inthelightofthisstatement."
TheGeneral Council adopted thedraft decision inthelight oftheChairman 'sstatement
(WT/L/269).
Therepresentatives ofGermany, theUnited Kingdom, theUnited States, France, Venezuela,
Egypt, Norway, Korea, Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, Bangladesh, theNetherlands, and
Hong Kong, China, andtheDirector-General spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
16. WTO Daily Bulletin (WT/GC/M/28)
InJuly1997, theGeneral Council agreed thattheSecretariat should issue aDaily Bulletin,
inEnglish only, foratrialperiod ofthree months beginning inSeptember 1997, andthattheissuance
oftheBulletin bereviewed inthelightofexperience andfinancial implications ifany. InDecember
1997, theGeneral Council agreed thattheBulletin beissued forafurther trialperiod ofthree months
inEnglish only, since itsissuance inFrench andSpanish would havefinancial implications thatwould
havetobeexamined bytheBudget Committee.
10TheGeneral Council agreed totheproposal.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page20
AttheGeneral Council meeting on24April 1998, theChairman saiditappeared thatdelegations
regarded theissuance oftheDaily Bulletin asuseful, andproposed thattheDaily Bulletin continue
tobeissued bytheSecretariat.
TheGeneral Council soagreed.
17. Observer status
(a) Governments
(i) Bhutan (WT/GC/M/28)
Atitsmeeting on24April 1998, theGeneral Council considered arequest from Bhutan
(WT/L/262) forobserver status intheGeneral Council anditssubsidiary bodies, andagreed togrant
therequest.
Therepresentatives ofIndia, Bangladesh, Brunei onbehalf oftheASEAN Members, and
Pakistan, andtheChairman andtheobserver from Bhutan spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements.
(ii) Cape Verde (WT/GC/M/26)
Atitsmeeting on19February 1998, theGeneral Council considered arequest fromCapeVerde
(WT/L/258) forobserver status intheGeneral Council anditssubsidiary bodies, andagreed togrant
therequest.
(b) International intergovernmental organizations (WT/GC/M/26)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman recalled thatattheGeneral
Council meeting inDecember 1997, hehadreported thatconsultations hadrecently beenheldonthe
pending requests frominternational organizations forobserver status intheGeneral Council, andthat
further consultations would needtobeheldearlyin1998. Heurged delegations togivefurther thought
tothismatter sothatitcould besettled rapidly.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatement.
18. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies (WT/GC/M/26)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman saidthatinaccordance
withtheguidelines forappointment ofofficers toWTO bodies approved bytheGeneral Council in
January 1995 (WT/L/31), hehadheldinformal consultations onthismatter, onthebasis ofwhich
heconsidered thatthere wasaconsensus onthefollowing slateofnames:
General Council Mr.JohnWeekes (Canada)
Dispute Settlement Body Mr.Kamel Morjane (Tunisia)
Trade Policy Review Body Mr.AliSaidMchumo (Tanzania)
Council forTrade inGoods Mr.Ronald Saborio Soto(Costa Rica)
Council forTRIPS Mr.Istvan Major (Hungary)
Council forTrade inServices Mr.Nobutoshi Akao (Japan)WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page21
Committee onTrade andEnvironment Mr.Chak MunSee(Singapore)
Committee onTrade andDevelopment Mr.IftekharAhmedChowdhury(Bangladesh)
Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration Mr.Wilhelm Meier (Switzerland)
Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions Mr.Peter R.Jenkins (United Kingdom)
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements Mr.Jean-Marie Noirfalisse (Belgium)
Working Group ontheRelationship between Mr.Krirk-Krai Jirapaet (Thailand)
Trade andInvestment
Working Group ontheInteraction between Mr.Frédéric Jenny (France)
Trade andCompetition Policy
Working Group onTransparency in Mr.Werner Corrales Leal(Venezuela)
Government Procurement
Therepresentative ofNorway spoke.
TheGeneral Council tooknoteofthestatements andoftheconsensus ontheabove slateof
names.
19. Election ofChairperson (WT/GC/M/26)
AttheGeneral Council meeting on19February 1998, theChairman, astheoutgoing presiding
officer oftheGeneral Council, made astatement (WT/GC(98)/ST/1).
TheGeneral Council thenunanimously elected Mr.Weekes (Canada) totheChair.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page22
ANNEX
Progress reports byChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies
atthe24April meeting oftheGeneral Council
I. Dispute Settlement Body
II. Trade Policy Review Body
III. Council forTrade inGoods
IV. Council forTrade inServices
V. Council forTrade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights
VI. Committee onTrade andEnvironment
VII. Committee onRegional Trade Agreements
VIII. Committee onTrade andDevelopment
IX. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions
X. Working Group ontheRelationship between Trade andInvestment
XI. Working Group ontheInteraction between Trade andCompetition Policy
XII. Working Group onTransparency inGovernment ProcurementWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page23
I. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY (Chairman: Mr.K.Morjane -Tunisia)
Iwishtomake ashort report, under myownresponsibility, onthework donebytheDispute
Settlement Body aftertheadoption ofits1997 annual report contained indocument WT/DSB/10 and
Corr. 1.Since thentheDispute Settlement Body hasheldsixmeetings inthecourse ofwhich work
covered thefollowing areas:
(i) Establishment ofpanels
Fivenewpanels havebeenestablished andonerequest fortheestablishment ofapanel has
beenwithdrawn.
(ii) Adoption ofAppellate Body reports andpanel reports
InthreedisputesettlementcasesthepanelreportsandtheAppellateBodyreportswhichmodified
thepanels 'findings havebeenadopted bytheDispute Settlement Body. Intwoofthese cases, in
accordance withArticle 21oftheDSUtheparties tothedisputes havealready indicated theirintentions
toimplement therecommendations adopted bytheDispute Settlement Body. Inaddition, inafourth
case, apanel report wasadopted without recourse totheappeal procedure.
(iii) Mutually agreed solutions
Attherequest ofdelegations theSecretariat provided information onthestatus ofnotifications
ofmutually agreed solutions. Aninformal notetothiseffect wascirculated listing 21cases inwhich
amutually agreed solution hasbeennotified and36cases oversixmonths oldwhere nosolution has
beennotified. Iwould therefore encourage delegations tonotify theDispute Settlement Body ofsuch
information fortransparency purposes. Since December lastyear, sixnotifications regarding mutually
agreed solutions havebeenreceived bytheDispute Settlement Body.
(iv) Indicative listofgovernmental andnon-governmental panelists.
InDecember 1997, onthebasisofupdated curricula vitaeofpersons submitted bydelegations,
anewupdatedindicativelistofgovernmentalandnon-governmentalpanelistswascirculatedindocument
WT/DSB/12. Newnames proposed byMembers arebeing approved bytheDispute Settlement Body
onaregular basis.
(v) Review oftheDSU
Asyouareaware, inaccordance withtheMinisterial Decision ontheApplication andReview
oftheUnderstanding ontheRules andProcedures Governing theSettlement ofDisputes, afullreview
ofdispute settlement rulesandprocedures under theWTO isrequired tobecompleted thisyear. Work
inthisareahasalready beeninitiated andshould continue aftertheMayMinisterial Conference.
II. TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY (Chairman: Mr.A.S.Mchumo -Tanzania)
IshouldliketomakeabrieforalreportontheactivitiesoftheTPRBsincetheDecemberGeneral
Council meeting. Thisreport willcover boththework donebytheTPRB during theperiod todate
andtheBody'sprogramme fortherestof1998.
Since December 1997, theTPRB hasconducted three review meetings, covering seven WTO
Members. InJanuary, under theChairmanship ofMr.M.Akram (Pakistan), areview ofJapan wasWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page24
undertaken. Since Ihaveassumed theChairmanship, theTPRB hasconducted reviews ofIndia (on
16-17 April) andofthemembers oftheSouthern African Customs Union, SACU (on21-23 April).
Member countries involved inSACU areSouth Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia andSwaziland.
Thereview ofIndia gaveMembers anoccasion toseekclarification from representatives of
thenewGovernment onitsfuture tradepolicy stance; onitscommitment topursuing thereform process
initiated byIndiain1991, which hashadconsiderable success inpromoting economic growth inIndia;
andonspecific issues ofconcern, ranging fromthephasing outofquantitative restrictions tobroader,
development-related issues insuchareas asagriculture andservices.
Thereview oftheSACU member States, which hasjustended, hasbeennotonlythefirst
review everofBotswana, Lesotho, Namibia andSwaziland, butalsothefirstreview ofSouth Africa
since thepolitical transformation inthatcountry. Ithasfocused ontheevolution ofSouth Africa 's
trade policies, which aremoving inthedirection ofgreater openness andpredictability; theireffects
ontheother SACU members viatheoperation ofthecommon external tariff, andplans forits
renegotiation; therelations ofSACU asagroup withother regional entities, including theSouthern
African Development Community, withEurope, andwithother MFN trading partners; andspecific
issues ofconcern toWTO Members.
Ibelieve thatthese reviews continue tofulfil themandate oftheTrade Policy Review Body
asanengine fortransparency, non-confrontational discussion andanalysis ofmajor policy issues, and
encouragement ofMembers, byothers, tofollow theprinciples andprecepts oftheWTO.
TheTPRB hasanambitious programme fortherestof1998. Weshallconduct 13more review
meetings, covering 16WTO Members, withthree more "grouped" meetings. Intotal, 23Members
willhavebeenreviewed in1998; 17ofthesearedeveloping andsixleast-developed country Members.
However, thenumber ofreviews isnotthemainpoint atissue, butrather thatMembers under review,
andthemembership oftheWTO asawhole, should beabletoholdafree,friendly andfrank discussion
about theirrespective tradepolicies andthewayinwhich themultilateral trading environment affects,
orisaffected by,these policies.
TheSecretariat andIaregrateful forthewilling participation ofcolleagues whovolunteer as
discussants inthereview process. Theroleofdiscussants istofocus theminds ofMembers onmajor
issues ineachreview, andIbelieve thatcolleagues whohavetaken onthisdifficult taskhaveacquitted
themselves withdistinction. Lastly, Iamalsograteful fortheuntiring helpoftheSecretariat.
Iamalsoconscious ofthefactthatAnnex 3oftheWTO Agreement provides foranappraisal
oftheMechanism bytheTPRB notmore thanfiveyears aftertheentry intoforce oftheWTO
Agreement. Thisappraisal musttherefore becompleted during 1999, onthetenth anniversary ofthe
introduction oftheTPRM under GATT. Inthisregard, Ihopetobegin consultations withdelegations
leading uptothisappraisal, inthesecond halfofthisyear.
III. COUNCIL FOR TRADE INGOODS (Chairman: Mr.R.Saborio Soto-Costa Rica)
TheGoods Council hasheld5meetings since December 1997, andthediscussions atthese
meetings havelargely focused onthemajor review foreseen under Article 8oftheAgreement onTextiles
andClothing (ATC) andontrade facilitation.
Ontextiles, youmayrecall thatatitsmeeting on10December 1997, theChairman oftheGoods
Council informed thisbodythatthemajor review oftheATChadbeenconducted bytheGoods Council
overaseries ofsixmeetings between October andDecember 1997. Hehadreported, however, thatWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page25
inspiteofdetermined efforts bymany delegations, ithadnotbeenpossible toarrive atsufficient common
ground onthesummary ofthediscussions andonasetofconclusions tothereview which would attract
consensus. On19February 1998, theChairman updated hisreport andadvised theCouncil that,in
January ofthisyear, consultations hadtaken place withanumber ofdelegations asitwasapparent
thatMembers feltthattheprogress achieved hadbeenquitesubstantial andthematter should notremain
without apositive conclusion. Accordingly, aseries ofinformal consultations wereheldintheperiod
19January to10February ofthisyear. Asaresult ofthespirit ofcompromise andflexibility
demonstrated bytheMembers whoparticipated actively inthediscussions, itwaspossible toreach
substantive agreement onatextcontaining adetailed summary ofthediscussions andconclusions.
Thistextwasadopted bytheGoods Council atitsmeeting of16February 1998. Thiswasreported
totheGeneral Council on19February 1998.
Ontradefacilitation, youwillrecall thattheCouncil wasmandated byMinisters inSingapore
to"undertake exploratory andanalytical work, drawing onthework ofother relevant international
organizations onthesimplification oftrade procedures inorder toassess thescope forWTO rulesin
thisarea". On9and10March 1998, aTrade Facilitation Symposium washeldontheinitiative of
theCouncil forTrade inGoods. Theobjective oftheSymposium wastohelpidentify themainareas
where traders faceobstacles when moving goods across borders. Twenty-seven speakers fromprivate
enterprises andindustry groups gaveanoverview ofanumber ofkeyissues inthisrespect. Speakers
fromintergovernmentalorganizations(IMF,ITC,UNCTAD,UN/ECE,WorldBank,andWorldCustoms
Organization) reported ontheexperiences intheirwork ontrade facilitation. 350delegates from
75Members andmore than20observers were present overthetwodaysofthesymposium. Many
delegations included high-ranking capital based experts oncustoms andcommerce affairs, aswellas
interested private sector representatives. TheSymposium wasintended toassist WTO Members to
move tothephase ofanalytical work ontrade facilitation, inorder toassess thescope forWTO rules
inthisarea, assetoutintheSingapore Declaration. Themain concerns traders voiced during the
Symposiumcanbesummarizedunderfiveheadings:(1)Excessivedocumentationrequirements;(2)Lack
ofautomation andinsignificant useofinformation-technology; (3)Lackoftransparency; unclear and
unspecified import andexport requirements; (4)Inadequate procedures; especially alackofaudit-based
controls andrisk-assessment techniques; (5)Lackofmodernization of,andcooperation among customs
andother government agencies, which thwarts efforts todealeffectively withincreased trade flows.
AttheCouncil meeting of16March 1998, theCouncil requested theSecretariat toprepare assoon
aspossible afactual report ontheSymposium. Afirstpartofthereport, achecklist ofissues, was
distributed, andtheCouncil, atitsmeeting of21April 1998, agreed thattheChairman should hold
informal consultations todetermine theprocess totakethework forward.
Other work accomplished bytheCouncil:
- approvalofrequestsforextensionsofwaiversuntil31October1998fromBangladesh,Nicaragua
andSriLanka inthecontext ofthetransposition oftheirSchedules intotheHarmonized System,
andthatofZambia inconnection withtherenegotiation ofitsSchedule.
- approvalofthedraftdecisiongrantinganextensionofwaiverstothirty-sixMembersandwaivers
toanadditional fouruntil31October 1998, forthepurpose ofintroducing Harmonized System
1996 changes totheirschedules ofconcessions.
- approval oftherevised questionnaire onstatetrading forwarded bytheWorking Party onState
Trading Enterprises andcontained indocument G/STR/3.
- adoption oftheterms ofreference under which theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements
istoexamine anadditional eightFreeTrade Agreements, theaccession ofSlovenia andRomaniaWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page26
totheCentral European FreeTrade Agreement, andthecustoms union between theEuropean
Community andthePrincipality ofAndorra.
- taking noteofthestatus ofnotifications under therelevant provisions ofAnnex 1AAgreements
andthecompliance withnotification obligations byMembers reflected indocument G/L/223
anditscorrigendum, andtaking noteoftheperiodic report bytheMarket Access Committee.
Turning totheCouncil 'ssubsidiary bodies, andbased ontheinformation received from the
ChairpersonsofthesubsidiarybodiesoftheCouncilonworkaccomplishedintheirrespectiveCommittee
orWorking Party since December 1997, Iwould liketoreport thefollowing:
(i) Agriculture
TheCommittee onAgriculture helditsfourteenth regular meeting on19-20 March 1998. As
partoftheCommittee 'son-going review ofprogress intheimplementation ofcommitments negotiated
under theUruguay Round reform programme, more thanseventy notifications intheareas ofmarket
access, domestic support andexport subsidies weresubject tomultilateral review. Inaddition, arange
ofdistinct implementation matters wereraised under theprovisions ofArticle 18.6oftheAgreement
orunder other business. TheCommittee alsotooknoteoftheposition withregard tolatenotifications
asitdoesateachregular meeting.
Interms ofitsNovember 1995 Decision inthisregard (G/AG/3) theCommittee isrequired
annually toreview theWTO listofLeast-Developed andNetFood-Importing Developing Countries
atitsregular March meetings. However, since there wereonthisoccasion norequests forinclusion
inthelist,itwasdecided thatthisreview should beheldoveruntiltheCommittee 'sMarch 1999meeting.
InlinewiththerecommendationsadoptedbytheSingaporeMinisterialConferenceontheimplementation
oftheMarrakesh Ministerial Least-Developed andNetFood-Importing Developing Country Decision
asitrelates tofoodaidmatters, therenegotiation oftheFood AidConvention iscurrently under way
inaWorkingGroupestablishedbytheLondon-basedFoodAidCommittee/InternationalGrainsCouncil.
Progress inthese negotiations istobereviewed inJunebytheFood AidCommittee, whose members
haveexpressed theirwishtomaintain, asappropriate, adialogue withfoodaidrecipients, potential
Food AidConvention members andrelevant international organizations.
TheCommittee alsoheldtwoinformal meetings, inJanuary andinMarch, tocontinue the
work oftheprocess ofanalysis andinformation exchange. Additional informal papers submitted by
Members onthefollowing topics wereconsidered atthesemeetings: special anddifferential treatment;
direct payments under production-limiting programmes; domestic support policy reform; export
subsides; thespecial agricultural safeguard; statetrading enterprises (single deskbuyers andsingle
desksellers); andsectoral trade liberalization. Additional background papers wereprovided bythe
Secretariat on:advalorem ,specific andother tariffs; onspecial anddifferential treatment provisions
relating totheAgreement onAgriculture; andonstudies ontheimplementation andimpact ofthe
Agreement onAgriculture ondeveloping countries. Further Secretariat background papers havebeen
commissioned onspecial anddifferential treatment andissues ofinterest todeveloping countries, on
Green Boxpolicies andonthespecial agricultural safeguard. Members havealsobeeninvited tosubmit
furtherinformalpapers,includingontheirexperienceintheimplementationandimpactoftheAgreement
onAgriculture inrelevant areas.
(ii) Customs valuation
TheCommittee onCustoms Valuation heldaninformal meeting on6March toreview the
responses toits"Request forInformation onTechnical Assistance Activities". ThisRequest for
Information hadbeencirculated inthecontext oftheCommittee 'sworkontechnical assistance designedWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page27
tofacilitate andexpedite implementation oftheAgreement forthosedeveloping country Members which
haveinvoked thefive-year delay period. Sixresponses hadbeenreceived andtheCommittee heard
fromtwoadditional delegations thattheirresponses wereforthcoming. TheSecretariat circulated an
inventory oftechnical assistance activities toassist Members inunderstanding whattypes ofactivities
hadbeenconducted ineachofthecountries which haveinvoked thefive-year delay period. The
Secretariat hasalsooutlined atechnical assistance programme oncustoms valuation thatitisorganizing
forthese Members. Thisprogramme willmake useofWTO expertise andprivate expert consultants
toconduct theactivities. TheCommittee agreed thatclose coordination between thisprogramme and
itsowndiscussions ontechnical assistance would beessential.
(iii) Import licensing
TheCommittee onImport Licensing hasreceived additional notifications fromeleven Members
relating tolaws, regulations andadministrative procedures relevant toimport licensing, pursuant to
Articles 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b) oftheAgreement, aswellasunder Article 7.3which requires allMembers
toprovide annually replies totheQuestionnaire onImport Licensing Procedures. Thisbrings thetotal
number ofnotifications received under each ofthese provisions to49(counting theEuropean
Communities anditsmember States asoneMember). TheCommittee hasalsoreceived, pursuant
toArticle 5oftheAgreement, notifications relating totheinstitution ofnewimport licensing procedures
orchanges inexisting procedures from fouradditional Members.
(iv) Market access
TheCommittee onMarket Access meton26March andtooknoteofthesituation withrespect
tothestatusofwaiversrelatedtotheintroductionon1January1996ofHarmonizedSystem(HS)changes
andtothetransposition ofpre-Uruguay Round schedules. Todate, 40Members areunder waivers
inconnection with theintroduction ofHS96 changes inorder tocarry outpossible
consultations/negotiations inrelation tothesechanges. FourotherMembers haverequested anextension
oftheirwaivers forthetransposition oftheirpre-Uruguay Round schedules intotheHarmonized System
nomenclature. Thewaivers aretoexpire on31October 1998. Ontheintegrated database(IDB),
theCommittee noted thatsofaronlysome twenty Members haveprovided therequired IDBdata
submissions andtheneedfortheother Members tosupply IDBsubmissions wasstressed. Delegations
supported theSecretariat 'splans toestablish adatabase using Internet technology. Members tooknote
ofadocument outlining atechnical assistance programme fortheIDBandexchanged initial views
onpractical matters concerning thedissemination oftheIDB. Onthepreparation ofconsolidated loose-
leafschedules ongoods, delegations supported theidea, onthebasis ofapaper prepared bythe
Secretariat, ofestablishing adatabase ofMembers 'tariff concessions which could beeventually
incorporated intotheIDB. Itwasagreed thattheSecretariat carry outapilotproject fortheschedules
oftwoMembers inorder toobtain anestimate oftheresources needed andother problems thatmight
beencountered.
(v) Rules oforigin
TheCommittee onRules ofOrigin hascontinued tofocus onthework programme forthe
harmonization ofnon-preferential rulesoforigin. Thedeadline forcompletion ofthework programme
is20July1998. Asthisdeadline approaches, theCommittee iscontinuing, inatightschedule, its
examination ofproduct-specific rules. Todate, Members have reached consensus onabout
2,000 product-specific rules attheHSsubheading level. Since thetotalnumber ofHSsubheadings
is5,113, asimple calculation mayindicate thattheCommittee hasdonetwo-fifths ofthetotalwork.
Thiswould, however, disregard thefactthatsome ofthemostcontentious andsensitive items areonly
nowentering thenegotiating stage. TheCommittee iscontinuing itsworkinalmost continuous session,
together withtheTechnical Committee onRules ofOrigin, withtheaimofcompleting theworkWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page28
programme bythedeadline. Todate58Members havemade notifications ofnon-preferential rules
oforigin and60Members havenotified preferential rules oforigin.
(vi) Trade ininformation technology products
TheCommittee ofParticipants ontheExpansion ofTrade inInformation Technology Products
hasfocused onthereview ofproduct coverage, discussions onnon-tariff barriers, anddivergences
inclassifying information technology products. With respect tothereview ofproduct coverage,
participants haveheldanumber ofmeetings andconsultations todiscuss theproducts thathavebeen
proposed under thereview inorder totakeadecision whether torevise theproduct coverage bythe
30June1998 deadline. Thediscussions onnon-tariff barriers haveledtotheissuance ofasurvey
onstandards-related matters forinformation technology products. Inaddition, theCommittee has
reviewed thestatus ofimplementation andnoted theinterest ofgovernments thathavesought tobecome
newparticipants.
(vii) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures
TheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures helditstenth regular meeting on
12-13 March 1998, where itdiscussed anumber ofspecific tradeconcerns including traderestrictions
related tobovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), andaproposed ECregulation onlevels ofaflatoxin
incertain foods. TheCommittee began tomonitor theuseofinternational standards onthebasis of
relevant standards identified byMembers. Further consideration wasgiven tothetechnical assistance
needs ofMembers. TheCommittee agreed onaresponse totheFAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius
Commission regarding thestatus ofvarious Codex texts. TheWorld Health Organization (WHO)
provided information totheCommittee regarding itsrecommendations ontrade from countries
experiencing outbreaks ofcholera, andontheproposed revision oftheInternational Health Regulations.
Itwasagreed thatinformal consultations onthelatter matter would beheldwiththeWHO prior to
thenextmeeting oftheCommittee. Ataninformal meeting, theCommittee further considered the
development ofguidelines tofurther practical implementation ofArticle 5.5.Inaccordance withagreed
procedures, atanother informal meeting prior toitsregular meeting, theCommittee began itsreview
oftheSPSAgreement asmandated inArticle 12.7. Onthebasis ofissues identified byMembers,
theCommittee considered matters related tothetransparency andnotification provisions ofthe
Agreement, andagreed tocontinue withthese issues andwithmatters related totheimplementation
ofspecial anddifferential treatment andtechnical assistance atitsnextinformal meeting.
(viii) Technical barriers totrade
TheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade helditstwelfth meeting on27March 1998
where itheard statements ontheimplementation andadministration oftheAgreement andontechnical
assistance.ItcarriedoutitsThirdAnnualReviewoftheImplementationandOperationoftheAgreement
under Article 15.3anditsThird Annual Review oftheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication ofStandards inAnnex 3oftheAgreement. Itstarted itswork programme
arising fromtheFirstTriennial Review oftheOperation andImplementation oftheAgreement under
Article 15.4.
(ix) Trade-related investment measures
TheCommittee onTrade-Related Investment Measures, atitsmeeting of16March 1998,
discussed notifications submitted under Article 5.1oftheTRIMs Agreement. Responses wereprovided
toquestions previously putandfurther questions wereasked, including inregard totheimplementation
ofArticle5.2oftheTRIMsAgreement.StatementswerealsomadeoncertainmeasuresrecentlyadoptedWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page29
orproposed tobeadopted bysome Members. TheCommittee tooknoteofthecurrent situation
regarding notifications under Article 6.2oftheAgreement.
(x) Textiles Monitoring Body
TheTextiles Monitoring Body hasheldfourmeetings since theDecember 1997 meeting of
theGeneralCouncil,duringwhichitreviewedseveralnotificationsreceivedfromMembers,inparticular
thenotifications oftheir integration programmes. TheTMB hasalsocontinued toreview the
communicationsreceivedfromMembersconcerningtheverificationofwhetherthestatisticalinformation
provided regarding integration referred, where appropriate, tothose portions oftheHSlinescovered
bytheATCandnottotheentire respective HS6-digit lines. Furthermore, theTMB hasalsoreviewed
theissues brought toitbyaMember regarding themaintenance ofarestraint measure which had
previously beenagreed withanother Member.
(xi) State trading
TheWorkingPartyonStateTradingEnterprisesadoptedon2April1998arevisedquestionnaire
onstatetrading (contained indocument G/STR/3), thusfulfilling oneofthethreemandates withwhich
itwascharged byMinisters atMarrakesh, i.e.toreview theadequacy ofthequestionnaire onstate
trading andthecoverage ofenterprises notified. Therevised questionnaire wasapproved bytheCouncil
forTrade inGoods andwillbethebasis forstatetrading notifications starting withthenewandfull
notifications tobemade in1998. While approving thequestionnaire, atthesamemeeting, theWorking
Party agreed tocontinue itswork, consistent withitsmandate, onpossible further information needed
toenhance transparency, andtoreconvene asearly aspossible tothisend. Italsoagreed thatthe
deadline forsubmission ofthe1998 newandfullnotifications bemoved to30September from
30June1998, inorder totakeaccount ofthepostponement incirculating therequest fornotifications
necessitated bythedateofadoption oftherevised questionnaire.
Regarding themandate todevelop anillustrative listofrelationships between statetrading
enterprises andgovernments, andtheactivities conducted bythese enterprises, theWorking Party has
conducted anumber ofinformal meetings inwhich work hasadvanced considerably onthetextof
suchalist.Afirstrevision ofaChairman 'stextiscurrently under discussion, andafinaltextisforeseen
within thecoming months.
With regard totheWorking Party'songoing taskofreviewing thenotifications made under
Article XVIIandtheUnderstanding onArticle XVII, threenewandfullnotifications andeightupdating
notifications havebeenreviewed atthemeeting of2April.
(xii) Preshipment inspection
The1997 Report oftheWorking Party onPreshipment Inspection totheGeneral Council
identified inparagraph 8arange ofissues onwhich theWorking Party istoexchange views overthe
course of1998. Atthemeeting oftheWorking Party on19March 1988, theChairman invited Members
tosubmit written communications ontheissues identified inthatparagraph. Healsoexpressed the
viewthatthislistofissues wasnotabsolute andheinvited delegations torefertoother issues asthey
sawfit.ThedelegationofSwitzerlandpresentedaproposalofamodelagreementbetweenuserMembers
andpreshipment inspection companies. Thiswaswelcomed bytheWorking Party asafirststepin
whatMembers would liketoseeasconcrete andpractical work during thisyear. During aninformal
meeting on20April 1998, theUSdelegation circulated apaper addressing thevarious issues asabasis
forfurther discussions. Thesituation withrespect totheIndependent Review Entity established under
theAgreement onPreshipment Inspection remains unchanged since December 1997; ithasreceived
norequests foranindependent review.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page30
(xiii) Safeguards, subsidies, anti-dumping
TheSafeguardsCommitteemettwodaysago,andtheCommitteeonSubsidiesandCountervailing
Measures metyesterday andiscontinuing tomeettoday. These arethefirstformal meetings ofboth
Committees following theirregular autumn meetings in1997, andneither Committee hastaken any
action intheinterim. TheCommittee onAnti-Dumping Practices anditssubsidiary bodies havenot
metsince theirautumn meetings inOctober 1997, andhaveotherwise taken noaction since those
meetings.
IV. COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICES (Chairman: Mr.N.Akao -Japan)
Since theCouncil forTrade inServices lastreported totheGeneral Council on
28November 1997, anumber ofdevelopments havetaken place. TheCouncil hascontinued topursue
theimplementation oftheworkprogramme approved bytheSingapore Ministerial Conference. Insofar
astheCouncil itself isconcerned, thework programme contains three elements:
- Aninformation exchange exercise onservices regulations.
- Thedevelopment ofdisciplines under Article VI:4oftheGATS toensure thatdomestic
regulatory measures donotconstitute unnecessary barriers totrade.
- Theconsideration ofguidelines andprocedures forthefuture negotiations mandated
under Article XIXoftheGATS.
TheCouncil, sinceitslastreport, hasfocused itsdiscussions onthefirstitemoftheSingapore
Work Programme, namely theexchange ofinformation exercise. Aconsiderable amount ofuseful
work hasbeendoneonthebasisofsubmissions bydelegations andpapers produced bytheSecretariat.
Aninformal consultation process onthemodalities forthatexercise hasbegun. Theaimoftheexercise
istofacilitate access ofallMembers, andinparticular developing country Members, toinformation
regarding laws, regulations, administrative guidelines andpolicies affecting trade inservices inorder
tocontribute totheassessment oftrade inservices which would assist future negotiations inservices.
Atthesame time, alldelegations aremindful thatthestructure ofthisexercise must besimple and
avoid anynecessary burden toMembers ingeneral anddeveloping country Members inparticular.
(i) Financial services
On12December 1997 theCouncil heldaspecial meeting toconclude thenegotiations on
financial services, inwhich itadopted aprocedural decision which would enter intoforce onlyiffor
some unforeseen reason theProtocol doesnotenter intoforce.
On26February 1998 theCouncil concluded thetechnical verification oftheschedules of
commitments andMFN exemption listsresulting fromthenegotiations. TheFifthProtocol wasopened
foracceptance bytheMembers concerned on27February 1998, andwillremain sountil
29January 1999. Withtheentry intoforceoftheProtocol, thenumber ofMembers withcommitments
infinancial services willincrease to102. Together withthewithdrawals orreductions inthescope
ofMFN exemptions, these results constitute amajor achievement ofWTO Members.
(ii) Basic telecommunications
Asyouareaware, theFourth Protocol relating tobasic telecommunications hadbeenopen
foracceptance bytheMembers concerned until30November 1997. Bythatdate,outof70MembersWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page31
concerned, only50Members hadaccepted theProtocol. According totheterms oftheProtocol, upon
thelapse ofthedeadline foracceptance, onlythose whohadaccepted hadtherighttodecide onthe
entry intoforce oftheProtocol. On19December 1997, theCouncil adopted aDecision extending
thedeadline foracceptance oftheFourth Protocol relating tobasic telecommunications until
31July1998. Subsequently, those Members whohadaccepted theProtocol decided thatitwould enter
intoforceon5February 1998. TheCouncil tooknoteofthatdecision atameeting on26January 1998.
TheProtocol isnowinforce.
(iii) Working Party onProfessional Services
TheWorking Party onProfessional Services continues towork towards thefinalization ofthe
draftofnewdisciplines ondomestic regulatory measures intheaccountancy sector. Thedisciplines
aimtoensure thatmeasures relating toqualification requirements andprocedures, technical standards
andlicensing requirements andprocedures donotconstitute unnecessary barriers totradeinaccountancy
services. Substantial progress hasbeenmade onthetextsince lastDecember. TheWorking Party is
alsodiscussing thelegalformthatsuchdisciplines might takeandtheprocedures through which they
would enter intoforce.
(iv) Working Party onGATS Rules
TheWorking Party onGATS Rules continued itswork onthethree negotiating mandates:
emergencysafeguardmeasuresunderArticleX,governmentprocurementunderArticleXIIIandsubsidies
under Article XV. Itwillberecalled thattheCouncil forTrade inServices adopted aDecision on
26November 1997toextend thenegotiations onthequestion ofemergency safeguard measures until
30June1999.
(v) Committee onSpecific Commitments
Under theCommittee onSpecific Commitments, consultations arecontinuing withaviewto
finalizing theprocedures forthemodification ofschedules pursuant toArticle XXIoftheGATS. Other
discussions oftheCommittee focused onthree main items: (i)classification issues relating tothe
examination ofthestructure oftheongoing revision ofthecentral product classification system
established bytheUNStatistical Commission, (ii)theinstitution ofasystem ofelectronically
consolidated andupdated schedules ofcommitments and,(iii)thepossible revision ofthescheduling
guidelines.
V. COUNCILFORTRADE-RELATEDASPECTSOFINTELLECTUALPROPERTYRIGHTS
(Chairman: Mr.I.Major -Hungary)
Thefirstmeeting oftheCouncil in1998 tookplace on24February 1998. Atthatmeeting,
theCouncil tooknoteofseveral newnotifications oflegislation under Article 63.2oftheAgreement,
including notifications ofamendments tolegislation thathadbeennotified earlier.
TheCouncil alsotookupthereview ofoneMember 'slegislation intheareaofenforcement
outstanding fromitsmeeting inNovember 1997, when national lawsandregulations of32Members
intheareaofenforcement werereviewed; theCouncil willcontinue thisreview atitsnextmeeting.
Atthatmeeting, theCouncil willalsoreview thelegislation offiveMembers intheareaofcopyright
andrelatedrightsandthelegislationoftwoMembersintheareasoftrademarks,geographicalindications
andindustrial designs. Inaddition, theCouncil willrevert toanumber offollow-up questions posed
inthecontext ofthereview ofnational implementing legislation in1996/1997, answers towhich are
stillpending.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page32
TheChair informed theCouncil ofthestateoftheconsultations, heldpursuant tothemandate
given totheChair attheNovember 1996 meeting oftheCouncil, onpossible advance reviews ona
voluntary basis andwithout prejudice totransition entitlements under Article 65oftheAgreement,
indicatingthatconsensushadnotyetbeenreachedamongMembersonthegroundrulesforsuchreviews.
TheCouncil continued itsconsideration oftheimplementation ofArticle 70.8and70.9ofthe
Agreement andnoted thatitwasopen todelegations toputquestions onthismatter onthefloor of
theCouncil orbilaterally.
TheCouncil tooknoteofrecent developments regarding dispute settlement intheTRIPS area
andofstatements bydelegations inthisconnection.
Updated information wasprovided totheCouncil ontechnical cooperation activities.
TheChair reported onfurther consultations heldontheissue ofthereview oftheapplication
oftheprovisions oftheSection ongeographical indications under Article 24.2. Delegations had
supported theapproach ofdeveloping achecklist ofquestions about national regimes fortheprotection
andenforcement ofgeographical indications, towhich Members would beasked toreply. Adraft
ofsuchachecklist would beprepared onthebasisofquestions suggested bydelegations, which would
bethesubject ofinformal consultations bytheChair prior totheCouncil 'smeeting inMay1998.
TheChair reported thatfurther informal consultations would beheldastowhatthenextstep
should beforcarrying forward work concerning negotiations fortheestablishment ofaninternational
system forthenotification andregistration ofgeographical indications under Article 23.4asagreed
inparagraph 34ofthereport oftheCouncil forTRIPS totheSingapore Ministerial Conference, now
thatbackground information asrequested bytheCouncil inFebruary 1997 hadbeenmade available
totheCouncil.
TheCouncil noted thatanewrequest forobserver status hadbeenreceived fromtheAfrican
RegionalIndustrialPropertyOrganization(ARIPO).Itagreedtoreverttothenoweightpendingrequests
forobserver status from international intergovernmental organizations atitsnextmeeting.
VI. COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND ENVIRONMENT (Chairman: Mr.C.M.See-Singapore)
Asagreed intheReport totheGeneral Council inDecember 1997(WT/CTE/2), theCommittee
onTrade andEnvironment hascontinued tobroaden anddeepen theanalysis ofallitems ofthework
programme setoutintheMarrakesh Ministerial Decision onTrade andEnvironment. Inorder to
advance thediscussions in1998, theCTEagreed tobaseitsanalysis onthe"cluster approach" under
thethemes ofmarket access andthelinkages between themultilateral environment agenda andthe
multilateral trade agenda.
Assetoutinthework programme andschedule ofmeetings fortheCTEin1998, which was
adopted attheCTE'smeeting on19-20 March, theCTEwillholdthree meetings thisyear, keeping
opentheoption ofanadditional meeting ifthought necessary bytheCommittee.
The19-20 March meeting addressed those items relevant tothetheme ofmarket access and
included asubstantive, sector specific discussion ofthefollowing sectors: agriculture, energy, fisheries,
forestry, non-ferrous metals, textiles andclothing, leather andenvironmental services. Thewillingness
ofdelegations toengage infocused sector-by-sector discussions based onnational experiences should
move forward theprocess ofidentifying situations where removing traderestrictions hasthepotential
tobeofeconomic andenvironmental benefit.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page33
Infulfilment oftherecommendation intheReport oftheCTE totheSingapore Ministerial
Conference (WT/CTE/1), attheMarch meeting, theCTEestablished aWTO Environmental Database
according towhich theSecretariat will:
(i) onanannual basis, undertake aComprehensive Review ofallenvironment-related notifications
tocontinuously up-date theEnvironmental Database, which willbeavailable toMembers
electronically through theDocument Dissemination Facility; and
(ii) onanannual basis, conduct anInterim Review oftheglossary ofsearch words usedinthe
compilation oftheEnvironmental Database, which willbemodified asnecessary.
ThedevelopmentofthisEnvironmentalDatabaserepresentsanimportantsteptowardsincreasing
thetransparency oftrade-related environmental measures which arenotified byWTO Members.
Mygeneral objectives asChairman thisyearwillbetofurther theanalysis intheCTEofall
items onitswork programme inorder toincrease theunderstanding oftheissues involved. Ialso
feelitisimportant tocontinue tobroaden theparticipation insupport oftheCTE'sanalysis byinviting
Secretariats ofthose Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) relevant tothework oftheCTE
toinform Members ondevelopments intheirrespective agreements inorder tocontribute totheanalysis
intheCTEofthelinkagesbetweenthemultilateralenvironmentagendaandthemultilateraltradeagenda.
Aninformation session withselected Secretariats ofMEAs willbeheldattheCTE'smeeting on
23-24 July.
Withrespect totheissueofbroader participation, Iwould liketonotethattheSecretariat has
successfully organized, under itsownresponsibility, anNGO Symposium onTrade, Environment and
Sustainable Development andon17-18 March. TheSymposium included theparticipation of
approximately 50NGOs, theDirector-General oftheWTO, theSecretary General ofUNCTAD, the
ExecutiveSecretaryofUNEP,theDeputyAdministratorofUNDPandalargenumberofWTOMember
governments.
Lastly, atitsmeeting on19-20 March, theCTEagreed toextend observer status totheWorld
Intellectual Property Organization.
VII. COMMITTEEONREGIONALTRADEAGREEMENTS(Chairman:Mr.J.-M.Noirfalisse-
Belgium)
TheCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements adopted its1997Report totheGeneral Council
on27November 1997 (document WT/REG/3).
Iwould nowliketoupdate youontheprogress ofwork sincethen. TheCommittee heldformal
meetings on4-5December 1997andtwoinformal open-ended meetings wereconvened laterthatmonth.
In1998, theCommittee 'sSixteenth Session tookplace intheweek beginning 16February andan
informal meeting wasconvened inMarch.
Regarding theexamination ofregional trade agreements, theCommittee isdealing withthe
examination of52agreements. Seven newly notified agreements havebeenreferred totheCommittee
forexamination since the1997 Annual Report wasadopted. Currently consultations areunder way
ondraftreports foreleven examinations. Reports arebeing drafted for15agreements whose factual
examinations have finished. Factual examinations areinprocess for14other agreements, and
examinations fortheremaining twelve agreements which havebeenreferred totheCommittee will
begin inthecourse oftheyear.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page34
TheCommittee alsohasthemandate "toconsider howtherequired reporting ontheoperation
ofsuchagreements should becarried outandmake appropriate recommendations totherelevant body".
AtitsFebruary Session, theCommittee wasabletotakeadecision ofprinciple toadopt procedural
recommendations totheCouncil forTrade inGoods, theCouncil forTrade inServices andthe
Committee onTrade andDevelopment onthismatter.
TheCommittee isalsomandated "toconsider thesystemic implications ofsuchagreements
andinitiativesforthemultilateraltradingsystemandtherelationshipbetweenthem,andmakeappropriate
recommendations". Todeepen itsunderstanding ofmatters identified inthe"checklist ofsystemic
issues", theCommittee began work according toa"three-pronged approach", entailing alegalanalysis
ofrelevant WTO provisions, horizontal comparisons ofRTAs, anddebate onthecontext andeconomic
aspects ofRTAs. Anupdated listofnotified RTAs, containing information ontheGATT/WTO process,
wasprepared bytheSecretariat anddistributed toMembers inFebruary. Initslastmeetings, the
Committee hascontinued itslegalanalysis oftheterms "other regulations ofcommerce" (andrelated
sub-topics) and"substantially allthetrade". InFebruary, theCommittee requested theSecretariat
tobegin preparations forhorizontal comparison work, drawing upaninventory ofnon-tariff provisions
contained intheregional trade agreements notified totheWTO andidentifying variations insuch
provisions, especially between customs unions andfree-trade areas. TheSecretariat hasheldan
information meeting toindicate howitisdrawing together thisinventory. Once theinventory is
produced, theCommittee willdeliberate onhowtousethismaterial.
VIII. COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (Chairman: Mr.I.A.Chowdhury -
Bangladesh)
Since thelastreport oftheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment totheGeneral Council in
December 1997, twomeetings eachoftheCommittee andtheSub-Committee onLeast-Developed
Countries havebeenheld.
Atthemeeting oftheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment on6March, thefollowing three
issues were addressed:
1. (i) Technical cooperation andtraining
TheCommittee adopted aManual ontechnical cooperation andtraining, anddiscussed areport
bytheSecretariat ontechnical cooperation andtraining. General satisfaction wasexpressed byMembers
onthese papers andtheSecretariat 'sactivities inthisarea. Suggestions astobroadening thescope
oftechnical assistance andcooperation anddeveloping aneffective mechanism formonitoring and
evaluation were raised atthemeeting. Concern wasraised about theinadequacy, uncertainty and
dependence ondonor generosity forthetechnical assistance fund. Iintend toinitiate informal
consultations withdelegations onthisissue, andshallapprise Members ontheoutcome induecourse.
(ii) Implementation ofspecial anddifferential treatment provisions infavour ofdeveloping
countries
Members evinced keeninterest onthissubject andexpressed anumber ofconstructive views.
AnotebytheSecretariat (WT/COMTD/W/35) wasreviewed byanumber ofdelegations. Itappeared
tomethatMembers needed more timetoreview thisimportant paper tobeabletomake substantive
comments onitsvarious components. Itherefore intend tocarry oninformal consultations andhave
reverted tothisissue forfurther discussion intheCommittee inaninformal session.WT/GC/10/Add.1
Page35
(iii) Electronic commerce
Apaper prepared byEgypt formed thebasis ofdiscussions. TheUnited States circulated a
paper ithadpreviously introduced attheGeneral Council onthissubject. Some Members gaveearly,
tentative reactions. Considering theimportance ofthesubject andthekeeninterest shown byMembers
onit,Iintend toholdfurther in-depth discussion inthenearfuture andhavereverted tothisissue in
theCommittee inaninformal session.
Alsoatitsmeeting on6March, theCommittee noted anoralreport bytheSecretariat onthe
issueofthefollow-up activities totheHigh-Level Meeting onLeast-Developed Countries, andformally
elected itsnewChairman. Atthemeeting oftheCommittee on23April, thenewChairman ofthe
Sub-CommitteeonLeast-DevelopedCountrieswasformallyelected,andtheUNDPwasgrantedobserver
status.
Atthemeeting oftheSub-Committee onLeast-Developed Countries on1December 1997,
theprogress ofwork inrelation tothefollow-up activities totheHigh-Level Meeting onIntegrated
Initiatives forLeast-Developed Countries wasreviewed. Atitsmeeting on23April, theSub-Committee
received anupdate bytheSecretariat onthefollow-up totheHighLevel Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives
forLeast-Developed Countries. Inthedebate, special stress wasputontheimportance oftechnical
assistance andmarket access forleast-developed countries.
IX. COMMITTEEONBALANCE-OF-PAYMENTSRESTRICTIONS(Chairman:Mr.P.Jenkins-
United Kingdom)
TheBalance-of-Payments Committee hasmetonlytwice since Ireported onitsactivities on
10December 1997.
On17December theCommittee completed consultations withtheSlovak Republic, andadopted
theconclusions contained inWT/BOP/R/40. TheSlovak Republic hassince notified theCommittee
ofareduction onitsimport surcharge from 5percentto3percenton1April 1998, inaccordance
withtheundertaking itgaveduring theconsultations.
On11and12February theCommittee completed consultations withNigeria which hadbeen
suspended onfourprevious occasions. TheCommittee wasunable tocome toagreed conclusions on
aNigerian proposal toeliminate asmall number ofBOPrestrictions overaperiod offiveyears. I
havetherefore produced areport ontheconsultations (WT/BOP/R/41), which records thedifferent
views expressed intheCommittee, inaccordance withparagraph 13oftheBOPUnderstanding.
X. WORKING GROUP ONTHERELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRADE AND INVESTMENT
(Chairman: Mr.K.Jirapaet -Thailand)
Thefirstmeeting in1998 oftheWorking Group tookplace on30-31 March 1998. Atthis
meeting,theWorkingGroupcontinueditsconsiderationofitemsI-IIIoftheChecklistofIssuesSuggested
forStudy, which isannexed totheGroup 's1997report, andstarted work onitemIVofthisChecklist
bydiscussing thefactual aspects ofthefirstindent ofthatitem. Newsubmissions havebeenreceived
since December 1997 from Bolivia; Australia; theUnited States; Switzerland; theEuropean
Community anditsmember States; Costa Rica; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Cuba; andCanada,
andfromUNCTAD andtheOECD. TheWorking Group hasalsorecently received background notes
bytheSecretariat onbilateral, regional, plurilateral andmultilateral agreements, theavailability ofWT/GC/10/Add.1
Page36
statistics onforeign direct investment andforeign affiliates trade, andoutward foreign direct investment
from developing countries.
XI. WORKING GROUP ONTHEINTERACTION BETWEEN TRADE AND COMPETITION
POLICY (Chairman: Mr.F.Jenny -France)
TheWorking Group helditsfourth meeting on11-13 March 1998. Asagreed atits
November 1997 meeting, theWorking Group tookupitemIIIoftheChecklist ofIssues attached to
theGroup 's1997 report, starting withageneral discussion oftheinteraction between trade and
competition policy andaconsideration ofthefirstindent oftheitem, namely theimpact ofthe
anti-competitive practices ofenterprises andassociations oninternational trade. Italsohadafurther
discussion ofitemIIoftheChecklist, namely thestocktaking andanalysis ofexisting instruments,
standards andactivities regarding tradeandcompetition policy, taking upthethreeindents ofthatitem
inthefollowing order: existing WTO provisions; bilateral, regional, plurilateral andmultilateral
agreements andinitiatives; andnational competition policies, lawsandinstruments astheyrelate to
trade. Written submissions onthese items were received from Peru(twosubmissions); Australia;
European Community anditsmember States (twosubmissions); Argentina; Hong Kong, China;
Norway;UnitedStates(twosubmissions);Japan;Poland;Canada(twosubmissions);CzechRepublic;
andtheRepublic ofKorea. Anon-paper waspresented byTurkey. With regard totherelationship
oftrade andcompetition policy todevelopment andeconomic growth, oneofthepoints under itemI
oftheChecklist,theWorkingGroupagreedtorequesttheSecretariattoprepareapaperdrawingtogether
thework doneonthisissue, taking account ofthework doneinUNCTAD andother IGOs andthe
discussions intheWorking Group. With regard torequests forobserver status, theWorking Group
agreed torevert torequests made bySELA andtheOrganization oftheIslamic Conference atitsnext
meeting. Atitsforthcoming meetings, theWorking Group willcontinue withthework programme
asannexed toits1997 report totheGeneral Council.
XII. WORKING GROUP ONTRANSPARENCY INGOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
(Chairman: Mr.W.Corrales Leal-Venezuela)
Thefirstmeeting in1998oftheWorking Group tookplace on19-20 February 1998. Atthat
meeting, theWorking Group continued itsdetailed discussion oftransparency-related provisions in
existing international instruments ongovernment procurement andnational procedures andpractices
onthebasis ofaninformal notebytheChair listing theissues thathavebeenraised, together with
thepoints made onthese issues attheGroup 'sNovember 1997 meeting. TheWorking Group took
upinturneachoftheheadings tothisnote, which correspond tothose usedintheSecretariat note
"Synthesis oftheInformation Available onTransparency-Related Provisions inExisting International
Instruments onGovernment Procurement Procedures andNational Practices", withtheaddition ofa
heading ontechnical cooperation andspecial anddifferential treatment. TheWorking Group willresume
itsdiscussion ofthese topics atitsnextmeeting onthebasis ofanupdated version oftheChairman 's
note. Written submissions havebeenreceived since November 1997 containing factual information
onnational procedures andpractices inHong Kong, China; theCzech Republic; Uruguay; and
Australia. Australia, theUnited States, andtheAPEC Government Procurement Expert Group through
itsChair, havealsomade contributions relating toelements oftransparency ingovernment procurement.
__________SECTION II
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODYWORLD TRADE WT/DSB/10
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5195)
Dispute Settlement Body
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY
Annual Report (1997)
Thepresent report hasbeenprepared inpursuance oftheProcedures foranAnnual Overview
ofWTO Activities andforReporting under theWTO (WT/L/105), andsetsouttheactions taken by
theDispute Settlement Body (DSB) intheperiod since itsprevious annual report1.
Incarrying outitstask,theDSBhasheld14meetings sincetheperiod covered bytheprevious
report. Theminutes ofthese meetings, which remain therecord oftheDSB'swork, arecontained
indocuments WT/DSB/M/26-WT/DSB/M/39.
Thefollowing subjects areincluded inthereport:
Page
1. WTO Logo ...............................................10
2. Preparations forthe1998Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe50th
anniversary ofthemultilateral trading system .........................10
3. Arrangements forconvening theHigh-Level Meeting onintegrated initiatives forleast-
developed countries 'trade development .............................12
4. Working Groups ontherelationship between trade andinvestment, theinteraction
between trade andcompetition policy, andtransparency ingovernment procurement
practices .................................................13
5. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................14
(a) Consultations .........................................14
(b) Notes onmeetings .....................................14
6. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................15
- Reports ............................................15
7. Agreement onPreshipment Inspection -Review under Article 6oftheAgreement ..16
8. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................16
(a) EC/France -Trading arrangements withMorocco ..................16
(b) Hungary -Agricultural export subsidies ........................17
1WT/DSB/8, WT/DSB/8/Add.1, WT/DSB/8/Corr.1 andWT/DSB/8/Add.1/Corr.1.WT/DSB/10
Page 2
(c) Harmonized System ....................................17
(i) Bangladesh, Bolivia andNicaragua ......................17
(ii) SriLanka ......................................17
(iii) Bangladesh, Nicaragua andSriLanka ....................18
(d) Renegotiations ofSchedules ...............................18
(i) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX .................18
(ii) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII ...............18
(e) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................19
(f) Review ofwaivers pursuant toArticle IX:4oftheWTO Agreement ......19
9. Action pursuant toArticle X:9oftheWTO Agreement ...................20
(a) Deletion oftheInternational Dairy Agreement from Annex 4oftheWTO
Agreement ..........................................20
(b) Deletion oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement from Annex 4ofthe
WTO Agreement ......................................20
10. Accession ................................................20
(a) Andorra ............................................20
(b) Azerbaijan ..........................................21
(c) Georgia ............................................21
(d) Panama ............................................21
(e) Seychelles ...........................................22
11. Marrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization ............22
- Extension oftime-limit foracceptance oftheAgreement bytheRepublic of
theCongo ...........................................22
12. Brazil -Import financing restrictions ...............................23
13. Peru-Recent customs tariff changes ...............................23
14. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................23
15. Frugality measures inKorea ....................................23
16. United States -Recent action withregard toKorea under Section 301oftheOmnibus
Trade andCompetitiveness Actof1988 .............................23
17. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................24
18. Institutional reform andrestructuring oftheSecretariat ...................24
19. Scheduling ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25
20. Follow-up toparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration ...........25
21. Frequency ofmeetings ofWTO bodies .............................25
22. Supply ofinformation totheintegrated databaseforpersonal computers ........26
23. Issuance ofaDaily Bulletin .....................................26WT/DSB/10
Page 3
24. Secretariat efforts toimprove transparency andgeneral contact withthepublic .....26
25. Status ofthecollaboration between theWTO andILOSecretariats pursuant to
paragraph 4oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration .....................27
26. Arrangements foreffective cooperation withother intergovernmental organizations ..27
(a) Office International desEpizooties ...........................27
(b) IMFandWorld Bank ...................................27
27. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO ..........................28
- Reports oftheJoint Advisory Group ..........................28
28. Administrative matters ........................................28
(a) Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff...........................28
(b) Offices oftheDeputy Directors-General ........................30
29. Observer status ............................................31
(a) International intergovernmental organizations .....................31
(b) Holy See...........................................32
(c) Ethiopia ............................................32
30. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................33
31. Election ofChairperson .......................................33
32. Review ofWTO activities ......................................33
33. Annual overview ofdevelopments ininternational trade andthetrading system ....33
1. Preparations forthe1998 Ministerial Conference andthecommemoration ofthe
50thAnniversary ofthemultilateral trading system ......................7
(a) Organizational matters ...................................7
(b) Participation ofleast-developed countries .......................10
(c) Attendance ofinternational intergovernmental organizations ...........10
(d) Attendance ofobservers atworking sessions .....................11
(e) Attendance ofnon-governmental organizations ....................11
(f) Report bytheDirector-General .............................11
(g) Progress reports bytheChairpersons ofsubsidiary bodies ............12
2. Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions ........................12
- .................................................12
3. Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ......................12
- Reports ............................................12
4. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ......................13
(a) Harmonized System ....................................13
- Bangladesh, Nicaragua, SriLanka ......................13
(b) Renegotiation ofSchedule .................................13
- Zambia .......................................13
(c) Decision ontheintroduction ofHarmonized System changes intoWTO
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996 ..................13WT/DSB/10
Page 4
5. Accession ................................................13
(a) Azerbaijan ..........................................13
(b) Laos ..............................................14
6. Ecuador -Commitments under theProtocol ofAccession ..................14
7. Outcome ofthemajor review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement onTextiles and
Clothing .................................................15
8. Notification obligations andprocedures .............................15
9. Global electronic commerce ....................................15
10. Transparency andderestriction ...................................16
11. Accreditation ofPermanent Representatives totheWTO ..................16
12. Comments being directed toindividual cases brought before thedispute settlement
system .................................................17
13. Premature disclosure ofdispute settlement panel reports ...................17
14. WTO Secretariat andSenior Management Structure .....................17
15. Conditions ofservice ofWTO staff(WT/GC/M/28) .....................18
16. WTO Daily Bulletin .........................................19
17. Observer status ............................................20
(a) Governments .........................................20
(i) Bhutan ........................................20
(ii) Cape Verde .....................................20
(b) International intergovernmental organizations .....................20
18. Appointment ofofficers toWTO bodies .............................20
19. Election ofChairperson .......................................21
ANNEX .........................22
1. Election ofChairperson .......................................6
2. Chairmanship oftheAppellate Body ...............................6
3. Terms ofoffice ofAppellate Body members (Article 17.2oftheDSU) .........7
4. Rules ofConduct fortheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing the
Settlement ofDisputes .......................................7
5. Indicative listofgovernmental andnon-governmental panelists ..............7
6. Practice thathasdeveloped under Article 6.1oftheDSU ..................8WT/DSB/10
Page 5
7. Requests tobejoined inconsultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU ..........8
8. Application ofArticle 4.11oftheDSU .............................9
9. Confidentiality ofpanel andAppellate Body reports .....................9
10. Statement bytheoutgoing Chairman oftheDSB .......................9
11. Letter fromtheWorld Wide Fund forNature totheChairman ofthePanel on"United
States -Import Prohibition ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp Products" ...........9
12. Adoption ofthe1997 Draft Annual Report oftheDSB(WT/DSB/M/39) ........10
13. Review oftheDSU ..........................................10
14. Recourse todispute settlement procedures ............................10
(a) Argentina ...........................................10
(i) Measures affecting imports offootwear, textiles, apparel andother
items .........................................10
(ii) Measures affecting textiles andclothing ...................11
(b) Australia ...........................................11
- Measures affecting importation ofsalmon ..................11
(c) Brazil .............................................12
(i) Export financing programme foraircraft ..................12
(ii) Measures affecting desiccated coconut ....................12
(iii) Measures affecting imports oftextiles from Hong Kong .........12
(d) Canada ............................................12
- Certain measures concerning periodicals ...................12
(e) Chile ..............................................13
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages .........................13
(f) European Communities ..................................13
(i) Customs classification ofsome computer equipment ...........13
(ii) Duties onimports ofgrains ...........................14
(iii) Measures affecting butter products ......................15
(iv) Measures affecting importation ofcertain poultry products .......15
(v) Regime fortheimportation, saleanddistribution ofbananas ......16
(g) Guatemala ..........................................17
- Anti-dumping investigation regarding portland cement from
Mexico .......................................17
(h) Hungary ............................................17
- Export subsidies inrespect ofagricultural products ............17
(i) India ..............................................18
(i) Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................18
(ii) Quantitativerestrictionsonimportsofagricultural,textileandindustrial
products ......................................18
(j) Indonesia ...........................................19
- Certain measures affecting theautomobile industry ............19
(k) Japan ..............................................20
(i) Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................20
(ii) Measures affecting agricultural products ...................21
(l) Korea .............................................21WT/DSB/10
Page 6
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ..........................21
(m) Pakistan ............................................22
- Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical
products .......................................22
(n) Turkey .............................................22
- Taxation offoreign filmrevenues .......................22
(o) United States .........................................22
(i) Anti-dumpingdutyondynamicrandomaccessmemorysemiconductors
(DRAMS) ofonemegabyte orabove from Korea .............22
(ii) Import prohibition ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products ........23
(iii) Imposition ofanti-dumping duties onimports ofcolour television
receivers from Korea ..............................24
(iv) Measure affecting imports ofwoven wool shirts andblouses from
India .........................................24
(v) Measures affecting textiles andapparel products ..............24
(vi) Restrictions onimports ofcotton andman-made fibreunderwear ...25
(vii) Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........25
(viii) TheCuban Liberty andDemocratic Solidarity Act............26
15. Surveillance ofimplementation ofrecommendations adopted bytheDSB ........26
(a) United States .........................................26
- Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline ..........26
(b) Japan ..............................................28
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages ...............................28
ANNEX .........................29
1. Election ofChairperson (WT/DSB/M/28, 29)
AttheDSBmeeting on22January 1997, theChairman proposed thattheDSBformally elect
itsChairperson atitsnextmeeting, following themeeting oftheGeneral Council, since informal
consultations onaslateofnames forappointment aschairpersons toWTO bodies were under way.
TheDSBsoagreed.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBelected Mr.Wade Armstrong (New Zealand)
asChairman byacclamation.
2. Chairmanship oftheAppellate Body (WT/DSB/M/29)
AttheDSBmeeting on25February 1997, theChairman recalled thatdelegations hadbeen
invited toprovide theirviews withregard totheintention oftheAppellate Body members toamend
Rule5(2)oftheWorking Procedures forAppellate Review soastoallow foratermoftwoyears rather
thanoneforthefirstChairman oftheAppellate Body. Hesaidthatintheabsence ofcomments, a
revised andconsolidated version oftheWorking Procedures including theamendment andtheRules
ofConduct fortheDSU, adopted bytheDSBinDecember 1996, would becirculated indocument
WT/AB/WP/3.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.WT/DSB/10
Page 7
3. Terms ofoffice ofAppellate Body members (Article 17.2oftheDSU) (WT/DSB/M/35)
AttheDSBmeeting on25June1997, theChairman stated thatduring theconsultations on
theissue ofexpiry oftheinitial two-year terms ofthree oftheseven Appellate Body members in
December 1997, delegations hadindicated theiracceptance thatthree Appellate Body members tobe
determined bylotpursuant toArticle 17.2oftheDSU, would bereappointed forafinaltermoffour
years. Heproposed tosuspend themeeting inorder toundertake thedrawing oflotstodetermine
thethreeAppellate Body members. Upon theresumption ofthemeeting, theChairman proposed that
theDSBagree toreappoint Mr.Claus-Dieter Ehlermann, Mr.Florentino P.Feliciano andMr.Julio
Lacarte-Muró forafinaltermoffouryears commencing on11December 1997.
TheDSBsoagreed.
4. Rules ofConduct fortheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing theSettlement
ofDisputes (WT/DSB/M/26, 27)
AttheDSBmeeting on20November 1996, theChairman oftheInformal Group ontheRules
ofConduct, Mr.W.Armstrong (New Zealand), reported ontheresults oftwo-year negotiations on
theRules ofConduct. Hesaidthatfollowing theextensive consultations andmeetings, itappeared
thataconsensus hadbeenreached onthetextoftheRules ofConduct which hadbeencirculated in
document WT/DSB/RC/W/1.
Therepresentatives ofNorway, India, Pakistan andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements, oftheconsensus infavour ofadoption oftheRules of
Conduct andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular meeting inorder toformally adopt the
Rules ofConduct.
Atitsmeeting on3December 1996, theDSB adopted theRules ofConduct contained in
document WT/DSB/RC/W/1.2
5. Indicative listofgovernmental andnon-governmental panelists
(WT/DSB/M/26, 28,33,35,37,38,39)
Atitsmeeting on20November 1996, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/43
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU.
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/46
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU.
TheChairman recalled thatpursuant totheproposal fortheadministration oftheindicative
list(WT/DSB/5, annex, para.5),thelistshould beupdated every twoyears andMembers wererequired
tosubmit timely updated curricula vitaeofpersons tobeincluded therein.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on23May1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/53
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU.
2Subsequently circulated asdocument WT/DSB/RC/1.WT/DSB/10
Page 8
Atitsmeeting on25June1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/56
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU.
TheChairman recalled theannouncement made inJanuary 1997 concerning theupdating of
theindicative list.Healsoinformed theDSBoftheSecretariat 'sarrangements formaking thecurricula
vitaeofpersons included ontheindicative listavailable ontheDocument Dissemination Facility.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/60
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU.
TheChairman stated thatinorder toenable theSecretariat toupdate theindicative list,Members
wereinvited tosubmit theupdated curricula vitaeofpersons tobeincluded therein. HedrewMembers '
attention todocument WT/DSB/W/58 which outlined theprocedure forsubmission fortheupdated
indicative list.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/62
proposed forinclusion ontheindicative listinaccordance withArticle 8.4oftheDSU. TheChairman
drewattention tothefactthattheproposal concerning thename fromtheUnited Kingdom should appear
under theheading "European Communities".3
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBapproved thenames contained inWT/DSB/W/65
and67.TheChairman drewattention toapreliminary update oftheindicative listofpanelists circulated
indocument WT/DSB/W/66 andAdd.1. Heurged delegations thathadnotyetsubmitted updated
curricula vitaetodosoby1December 1997. Thereafter, theSecretariat willfinalize theupdated list.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.
6. Practice thathasdeveloped under Article 6.1oftheDSU (WT/DSB/M/29)
AttheDSBmeeting on25February 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States requested
theChairman toinitiate consultations withinterested delegations onthepractice thathasdeveloped
under Article 6.1oftheDSU.
Therepresentatives ofArgentina, Uruguay, India, Mexico, theEuropean Communities, Japan,
Hong Kong andPeruspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
7. Requests tobejoined inconsultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU (WT/DSB/M/27)
AttheDSBmeeting on3December 1996, therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities
expressed hisdelegation 'sconcern withregard toIndonesia 'refusal toallow theCommunities tobe
joined inconsultations requested byJapan (WT/DS55/1) andtheUnited States (WT/DS59/1) concerning
Indonesia 'smeasures intheautomobile industry.
3Acorrigendum tothiseffect wasmade available inthemeeting room (WT/DSB/W/62/Corr.1).WT/DSB/10
Page 9
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andJapan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
8. Application ofArticle 4.11oftheDSU (WT/DSB/M/37)
AttheDSBmeeting on25September 1997, theUnited States drewattention totheprocedural
issue concerning theapplication ofArticle 4.11oftheDSU inthecontext oftheconsultations held
bysome Members onIndia'squantitative restrictions.4
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, India, Canada, NewZealand aswellasofHong Kong,
China, andAustralia spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
9. Confidentiality ofpanel andAppellate Body reports (WT/DSB/M/34)
AttheDSBmeeting on12June1997, therepresentative ofNorway expressed concern with
regard totheleaking ofpanel andAppellate Body reports which, inhisdelegation 'sview, hadbecome
arulerather thananexception. Norway, which supported transparency intheareaofdispute settlement,
suggested thattheproblem ofleakages could beconsidered inthecontext ofthereview oftheDSU
in1998.
Therepresentatives ofJamaica andMexico spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
10. Statement bytheoutgoing Chairman oftheDSB(WT/DSB/M/28)
AttheDSBmeeting on22January 1997, theoutgoing Chairman oftheDSBMr.C.Lafer
(Brazil) made aconcluding statement which hadbeensubsequently circulated inWT/DSB(97)ST/1.
11. Letter fromtheWorld Wide Fund forNature totheChairman ofthePanel on"United States -
Import Prohibition ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp Products" (WT/DSB/M/37)
AttheDSBmeeting on25September 1997, Brazil drew attention toaletter fromtheWorld
Wide Fund forNature which contained acopyofabriefthathadbeensenttothepanel on"United
States -Import Prohibition ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp Products". Brazil wasconcerned withthe
factthatthisinformation hadbeensentdirectly tothepanel.
Therepresentatives ofBrazil, Thailand, onbehalf ofASEAN countries, theUnited States,
Argentina, Japan, India, Venezuela, theEuropean Communities, Mexico, theChairman andJamaica
spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
4India -Quantitative restrictions onimports ofagricultural, textile andindustrial products -request for
consultations bytheUnited States (WT/DS90/1), Australia (WT/DS91/1), Canada (WT/DS92/1), NewZealand
(WT/DS93/1), Switzerland (WT/DS94/1) andtheEC(WT/DS96/1).WT/DSB/10
Page 10
12. Adoption ofthe1997 Draft Annual Report oftheDSB(WT/DSB/M/39)
AttheDSBmeeting on18November 1997, theChairman submitted foradoption adrafttext
ofthe1997 Annual Report oftheDSBcontained inWT/DSB/W/64 andCorr.1. Heproposed that
following itsadoption, theSecretariat beauthorized toupdate theAnnual Report under itsown
responsibility inorder toinclude actions taken bytheDSBatthepresent meeting. Healsosaidthat
theupdated Annual Report besubmitted forconsideration bytheGeneral Council atitsmeeting on
10December.
TheDSBadopteditsAnnualReportcontainedinWT/DSB/W/64andCorr.1ontheunderstanding
thatitwould befurther updated bytheSecretariat asproposed bytheChairman.
13. Review oftheDSU (WT/DSB/M/39)
AttheDSBmeeting on18November 1997, theChairman made astatement concerning the
Decision ontheApplication andReview oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing
theSettlement ofDisputes. Heinvited delegations toputforward theirviews onprocedural matters
forundertaking theDSU review which would serve asabasis forinformal consultations andwould
enable himtoreport backtotheDSBonthismatter early nextyear.
TheDSBtooknoteofthisinformation.
14. Recourse todispute settlement procedures
(a) Argentina
(i) Measures affecting imports offootwear, textiles, apparel andother items
(WT/DSB/M/28, 29)
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States forthe
establishmentofapaneltoexamineitscomplaintregardingArgentina'smeasuresonimportsoffootwear,
textiles, apparel andother items (WT/DS56/5).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andArgentina spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Argentina andHungary spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities andIndia reserved theirthird-party rights
toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.5
5After themeeting Hungary reserved itsthird-party rights.WT/DSB/10
Page 11
(ii) Measures affecting textiles andclothing (WT/DSB/M/37, 38)
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSB considered arequest bytheEuropean
Communities fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaint withregard tocertain measures
taken byArgentina concerning thetextiles, clothing andfootwear sectors (WT/DS77/3).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Argentina, Uruguay andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSB again considered thismatter. TheEuropean
Communities submitted arevised textoftheir request fortheestablishment ofapanel
(WT/DS77/3/Rev.1) which reflected theconcerns raised byArgentina attheDSB meeting on
25September.6
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Argentina andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
TherepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesreservedhisGovernment'sthird-partyrightstoparticipate
inthePanel proceedings.
(b) Australia
- Measures affecting importation ofsalmon (WT/DSB/M/30, 31)
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest byCanada fortheestablishment
ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard toAustralia 'smeasures affecting importation ofsalmon
(WT/DS18/2).
Therepresentatives ofCanada, Australia andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on10April 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives ofCanada andAustralia spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU, itbeing understood thatiftheparties could notagree ontheterms
ofreference forthePanel, thestandard terms ofreference asprovided forinArticle 7.1oftheDSU
would apply.
TherepresentativesoftheEuropeanCommunitiesandtheUnitedStatesreservedtheirthird-party
rights toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.7
6After themeeting acorrigendum revising thetitleoftherequest wascirculated inWT/DS77/3/Rev.1/Corr.1.
7After themeeting India andNorway reserved their third-party rights.WT/DSB/10
Page 12
(c) Brazil
(i) Export financing programme foraircraft (WT/DSB/M/28)
AttheDSBmeeting on22January 1997, therepresentative ofCanada reported onthestatus
ofconsultations heldpursuant toArticle 4oftheSubsidies Agreement withBrazil regarding itsexport
subsidies under PROEX8(WT/DS46).
Therepresentatives ofCanada andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(ii) Measures affecting desiccated coconut (WT/DSB/M/30)
InMarch 1996, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequest ofthe
Philippines.9InDecember 1996, thePhilippines hadnotified itsdecision toappeal against certain
issues oflawandlegalinterpretations developed bythepanel.
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSB considered theAppellate Body Report in
WT/DS22/AB/R andthePanel Report inWT/DS22/R pertaining tothecomplaint bythePhilippines.
Therepresentatives ofBrazil, thePhilippines, theUnited States, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia
andSriLanka spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements,andadoptedtheAppellateBodyReportinWT/DS22/AB/R
andthePanel Report inWT/DS22/R, asupheld bytheAppellate Body Report.10
(iii) Measures affecting imports oftextiles from Hong Kong (WT/DSB/M/32)
AttheDSBmeeting on30April 1997, therepresentative ofHong Kong reported onthestatus
ofHong Kong'sdispute withBrazil onthelatter'srestrictions onimports ofcertain textiles fabrics,
which hadbeenconsidered bytheTextiles Monitoring Body pursuant totheAgreement onTextiles
andClothing.
Therepresentatives ofHong Kong andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(d) Canada
- Certain measures concerning periodicals (WT/DSB/M/36, 37)
InJune1996, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequest oftheUnited
States.11InApril 1997, Canada hadnotified itsdecision toappeal certain issues oflawandlegal
interpretations developed bythepanel.
8Programa deFinanciamento àsExporta ções.
9WT/DSB/M/12.
10WT/DS22/11/Rev.2.
11WT/DSB/M/19.WT/DSB/10
Page 13
Atitsmeeting on30July1997, theDSB considered theAppellate Body Report in
WT/DS31/AB/R andthePanel Report inWT/DS31/R andCorr.1 pertaining tothecomplaint bythe
United States.
Therepresentatives ofCanada, theUnited States andSwitzerland spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andadopted theAppellate Body Report inWT/DS31/AB/R
andthePanel Report inWT/DS31/R andCorr.1, asmodified bytheAppellate Body Report.
AttheDSBmeeting on25September 1997, Canada announced thatpursuant toArticle 21.3(b)
oftheDSU, theUnited States andCanada, theparties tothisdispute, hadagreed thatareasonable
period oftimeforCanada tobring itsmeasures intocompliance withtheDSB'srecommendations would
be15months, beginning from 30July1997.
Therepresentative oftheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(e) Chile
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages (WT/DSB/M/38, 39)
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheEuropean Communities
fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaint withregard totheSpecial Sales Taxon
spirits inChile (WT/DS87/5).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Chile, Mexico andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Chile andPeruspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentatives ofCanada, Mexico, PeruandtheUnited States reserved theirthird-party
rights toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.
(f) European Communities
(i) Customs classification ofsome computer equipment (WT/DSB/M/29,30)
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheRegulation bytheCommission
oftheEuropean Communities which hadreclassified certain local areanetwork adapter equipment
andcertain types ofpersonal computers. Asaresult ofthisRegulation, theUnited States 'products
hadbecome subject toduties inexcess ofthebound ratesintheECSchedules (WT/DS62/4).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.WT/DSB/10
Page 14
Therepresentatives ofIndia, Japan, Korea andSingapore reserved theirthird-party rights to
participate inthePanel proceedings.
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSBconsidered tworequests bytheUnited States with
regard tothereclassification bycustoms authorities ofIreland (WT/DS68/2) andtheUnited Kingdom
(WT/DS67/3) ofcertain computer equipment which hadresulted induties higher thanthebound rates
under theECSchedules.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
Attherequest oftheparties tothedispute, theChairman proposed thattheDSBagree tomodify
theterms ofreference ofthepanel established atitsmeeting on25February 1997pursuant totheUnited
States request contained inWT/DS62/4, sothatthepanel requests submitted forconsideration atthe
present meeting (WT/DS67/3 andWT/DS68/2) beincorporated intothemandate oftheexisting panel.
Healsoproposed thattheDSBagree nottoestablish separate panels pursuant totheUnited States
requests contained WT/DS67/3 andWT/DS68/2 andtakenotethattheparties hadagreed thatthepanel
established on25February 1997, withtheterms ofreference asmodified atthepresent meeting would
beabletoconsider andruleupon anymatter thatmight havebeenconsidered ifseparate panels had
beenestablished, andthatthemodification oftheterms ofreference ofthepanel established on
25February 1997, waswithout prejudice totheinterpretation oftheCommunities andtheirmember
States ofArticle 4.3oftheDSU withregard tothe30-day period referred tointhesecond sentence
ofthatparagraph.
TheDSBsoagreed.
(ii) Duties onimports ofgrains (WT/DSB/M/27, 28,29,31,32)
AttheDSBmeeting on3December 1996, prior totheadoption oftheproposed agenda, the
United States withdrew theitemconcerning itsrequest fortheestablishment ofapanel withregard
totheEuropean Communities 'duties onimports ofgrains (WT/DS13/2 andAdd.1).
AttheDSBmeeting on22January 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States expressed
hiscountry 'sconcern withrespect tothecontinued delay bytheEuropean Communities tofully
implement itstariffconcessions ongrains. Arenewal ofarequest forapanel onthismatter wasunder
serious consideration byhisGovernment.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint regarding theEuropean Communities 'duties
onimports ofgrains (WT/DS13/5).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteandagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on10April 1997, theDSBconsidered afresh request bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint regarding theEuropean Communities 'duties
onimports ofgrains (WT/DS13/6).WT/DSB/10
Page 15
Therepresentative oftheUnited States andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextmeeting
tobeheldon30April 1997.
AttheDSBmeeting on30April 1997, prior totheadoption oftheagenda, therepresentative
oftheUnited States withdrew theitemconcerning theUnited States 'request fortheestablishment of
apanel (WT/DS13/6).12
(iii) Measures affecting butter products (WT/DSB/M/39)
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest byNewZealand forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint regarding theEuropean Communities 'decision that
NewZealandbuttermanufacturedbytheAmmixbutter-makingprocessandthespreadablebutter-making
processbeexcludedfromeligibilityforentryintotheCommunitiesunderNewZealand'scountry-specific
tariff quota established bytheEC'sSchedule (WT/DS72/2).
Therepresentatives ofNewZealand andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
TherepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesreservedherGovernment'sthird-partyrightstoparticipate
inthePanel proceedings.
(iv) Measures affecting importation ofcertain poultry products
(WT/DSB/M/35, 36)
Atitsmeeting on25June1997, theDSBconsidered arequest byBrazil fortheestablishment
ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard theEuropean Communities 'regime fortheimportation
ofcertain poultry products andtheimplementation bytheCommunities ofthetariff-rate quota onthese
products agreed inbilateral negotiations pursuant toArticle XXVIII:4 ofGATT 1994 (WT/DS69/2).
Therepresentatives ofBrazil andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on30July1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives ofBrazil andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentatives ofThailand andtheUnited States reserved their third-party rights to
participate inthePanel proceedings.
12Subsequently, theUnited States informed theDSBthatitwaswithdrawing itsrequest fortheestablishment
ofapanelintheviewofthefactthattheCommunitieshadadoptedregulationsimplementinganagreemen treached
onthismatter (WT/DS13/8).WT/DSB/10
Page 16
(v) Regime for the importation, sale and distribution ofbananas
(WT/DSB/M/37, 38,39)
InMay1996, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequests ofEcuador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico andtheUnited States.13InJune1997, theCommunities notified their
decision toappeal against certain issues oflawandlegalinterpretations developed bythepanel.
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSB considered theAppellate Body Report in
WT/DS27/AB/R andthePanel Reports inWT/DS27/R/ECU, WT/DS27/R/GTM -WT/DS27/R/HND,
WT/DS27/R/MEX andWT/DS27/R/USA, pertaining tothecomplaints byEcuador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico andtheUnited States.
TherepresentativesofGuatemala,theEuropeanCommunities,Ecuador,Mexico,Côted'Ivoire,
Jamaica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Senegal, Costa Rica, Colombia, Japan, theUnited States, Panama,
ArgentinaandAustraliaspoke.AstatementreceivedfromSaintLuciawasmadeavailabletodelegations.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andadopted theAppellate Body Report inWT/DS27/AB/R
andthePanelReportsinWT/DS27/R/ECU,WT/DS27/R/GTM-WT/DS27/R/HND,WT/DS27/R/MEX,
WT/DS27/R/USA, asmodified bytheAppellate Body Report.
AttheDSBmeeting on16October 1997, inaccordance withArticle 21.3oftheDSU, the
EuropeanCommunitiesinformedtheDSBoftheirintentionstocomplywiththeDSB'srecommendations
onthismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Guatemala, theUnited States, Honduras,
Ecuador, Mexico andCôted'Ivoire spoke.
TheDSB tooknoteofthestatements andoftheinformation provided bytheEuropean
Communities regarding theirintention toimplement theDSB'srecommendations.
AttheDSBmeeting on18November 1997, therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities
pointedoutthatinajointcommunicationEcuador,Guatemala,Honduras,MexicoandtheUnitedStates14
hadrequested thatthe"reasonable period oftime" withregard totheimplementation oftheDSB's
recommendations bedetermined through binding arbitration pursuant toArticle 21.3(c) oftheDSU.
HesaidthatintheCommunities 'understanding thecomplainants hadnotraised anyobjection during
theconsultations heldonthismatter astotheperiod forimplementation proposed bytheCommunities
(until 1January 1999). Itwastherefore theCommunities 'intention tofurther consult withthe
complainants toclarify thesubject ofarbitration.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement.
Also,attheDSBmeetingon18November1997,therepresentativeoftheEuropeanCommunities
drewattention toarequest forconsultations byPanama withregard totheCommunities 'banana import
regime (WT/DS105/1). Inhisview, thisrequest raised asystemic issuesince thismatter hadalready
beenexamined bythePanel andtheAppellate Body.
Therepresentatives ofIndia, Panama, Argentina, Jamaica andUruguay spoke.
13WT/DSB/M/16.
14Subsequently circulated indocument WT/DS27/13.WT/DSB/10
Page 17
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(g) Guatemala
- Anti-dumping investigation regarding portland cement from Mexico
(WT/DSB/M/29, 30)
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSB considered arequest byMexico forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine theconsistency ofGuatemala 'santi-dumping investigation with
regard toimports ofportland cement from Mexico (WT/DS60/2).
Therepresentatives ofMexico andGuatemala spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives ofMexico andGuatemala spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
TherepresentativesofCanadaandtheUnitedStatesreservedtheirthird-partyrightstoparticipate
inthePanel proceedings.15
(h) Hungary
- Export subsidies inrespect ofagricultural products (WT/DSB/M/28, 29,36)
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSB considered therequests byAustralia
(WT/DS35/4),NewZealand(WT/DS35/5),theUnitedStates(WT/DS35/6)andArgentina(WT/DS35/7)
toexamine theircomplaints withregard toHungary 'sexport subsidies onagricultural products.
TherepresentativesofAustralia,NewZealand,theUnitedStates,ArgentinaandHungaryspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
TherepresentativesofAustralia,NewZealand,theUnitedStates,ArgentinaandHungaryspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatementsandagreedtoestablishasinglepanelpursuanttoArticle9.1
oftheDSUandtotheChairman 'sproposal thattheparties tothedispute consult anddraw-up theterms
ofreference ofthePanel inaccordance withArticle 7oftheDSU.
Therepresentatives ofCanada, Japan, Thailand andUruguay reserved theirthird-party rights
toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.
AttheDSBmeeting on30July1997, therepresentative ofAustralia, speaking alsoonbehalf
ofArgentina, NewZealand andtheUnited States, announced thattheparties tothedispute hadagreed
15After themeeting ElSalvador andHonduras reserved their third-party rights.WT/DSB/10
Page 18
thatHungarywouldseekawaiverunderArticleIXoftheWTOAgreementregardingitsexportsubsidies
onagricultural products.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement.
(i) India
(i) Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical products
(WT/DSB/M/26, 37,38)
Atitsmeeting on20November 1996, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard toIndia'sfailure either toprovide
patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical products ortocomply withtheobligations
under Article 70.8and70.9oftheAgreement onTrade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights
(WT/DS50/4).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andIndia spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities reserved third-party rights toparticipate in
thePanel proceedings.
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSB considered arequest bytheEuropean
Communities fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaint regarding theabsence inIndia
ofeither patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical products orformal systems
thatpermit thefiling ofpatent applications forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical products and
provide exclusive marketing rights insuchproducts (WT/DS79/2).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, India andArgentina spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, India, andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
TherepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesreservedhisGovernment'sthird-partyrightstoparticipate
inthePanel proceedings.
(ii) Quantitative restrictions onimports ofagricultural, textile andindustrial
products (WT/DSB/M/38, 39)
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard toquantitative restrictions maintained
byIndiaonimportation ofalargenumber ofagricultural, textile andindustrial products (WT/DS90/8).16
16Acorrigendum tothisdocument wassubsequently circulated inWT/DS90/8/Corr.1.WT/DSB/10
Page 19
TherepresentativesoftheUnitedStates,India,theEuropeanCommunities,JapanandSwitzerland
spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, India, theEuropean Communities andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
(j) Indonesia
- Certain measures affecting theautomobile industry
(WT/DSB/M/32, 33,34,35,36)
Atitsmeeting on30April 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest byJapan fortheestablishment
ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheIndonesian national-car programme (WT/DS55/6 -
WT/DS64/4).
Therepresentatives ofJapan, Indonesia andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on23May1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheEuropean Communities
fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaint withregard totheIndonesian national-car
programme (WT/DS54/6).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, Indonesia, Japan andKorea spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on12June1997, theDSBagain considered Japan'srequest fortheestablishment
ofapanel toexamine itscomplaints withregard totheIndonesian national-car programme.
Therepresentative ofJapan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Atthesame meeting theDSB alsoconsidered theEuropean Communities 'request forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine their complaint withregard totheIndonesian national-car
programme.
Therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentative ofJapan reserved hisGovernment 'sthird-party rights toparticipate inthe
Panel proceedings.WT/DSB/10
Page 20
Pursuant totheCommunities 'request, theChairman proposed thattheDSBagree toinitiate
theprocedures provided forunder Annex VoftheSubsidies Agreement andtodesignate arepresentative
toperform thistask.
TheDSBsoagreed.
TheDSBalsoagreed totheChairman 'sproposal thatpursuant toArticle 9oftheDSU, the
complaints byJapan andtheEuropean Communities beexamined byasingle panel.17
Therepresentative ofJamaica spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement.
Atitsmeeting on25June1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheIndonesian national-car programme
(WT/DS59/6).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andIndonesia spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on30July1997, theDSBagain considered theUnited States 'request forthe
establishment ofapanel onthismatter.
TherepresentativesoftheUnitedStates,Indonesia,theEuropeanCommunitiesandJapanspoke.
TheDSB tooknoteofthestatements, agreed toaccept theUnited States 'request forthe
establishment ofapanel withstandard terms ofreference, andagreed thatasprovided forinArticle 9
oftheDSU withrespect tomultiple complainants, thepanel established on12June1997, toexamine
thecomplaints bytheEuropean Communities (WT/DS54/6) andJapan (WT/DS55/6 -WT/DS64/4)
would alsoexamine thecomplaint oftheUnited States ascontained inWT/DS59/6. TheDSBalso
tooknoteoftheChairman 'sstatement concerning theprocedures under Annex VoftheSubsidies
Agreement inrelation totherequest bytheUnited States.
(k) Japan
(i) Taxes onalcoholic beverages (WT/DSB/M/26)
InSeptember 1995, theDSBhadestablished asingle panel inaccordance withArticle 9.1of
theDSU toexamine thismatter attherequest oftheEuropean Communities, Canada andtheUnited
States.18InNovember 1996, theDSB hadadopted theAppellate Body Report (WT/DS8/AB/R,
WT/DS10/AB/R, WT/DS11/AB/R) andthePanel Report (WT/DS8/R, WT/DS10/R, WT/DS11/R)
asmodified bytheAppellate Body Report.19
AttheDSBmeetingon20November1996,JapaninformedtheDSBthatpursuanttoArticle21.3
oftheDSU itintended toconsult withtheparties tothedispute regarding areasonable period oftime
forimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations (WT/DS8/11, WT/DS10/11, WT/DS11/8).
17After themeeting India, Korea andtheUnited States reserved their third-party rights.
18WT/DSB/M/7.
19WT/DSB/M/25.WT/DSB/10
Page 21
Therepresentatives ofJapan, Canada, theEuropean Communities andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andoftheinformation provided byJapan regarding its
intentions toimplement theDSB'srecommendations.
(ii) Measures affecting agricultural products (WT/DSB/M/38, 39)
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States for
theestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheprohibition byJapan, under
quarantine measures, ofimports ofagricultural products (WT/DS76/2).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andJapan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andJapan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU. TheChairman invited theparties tothedispute toconsult onthe
terms ofreference inaccordance withArticle 7.1oftheDSU.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities andHungary reserved theirthird-party rights
toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.
(l) Korea
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages (WT/DSB/M/37, 38)
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSB considered therequests bytheEuropean
Communities (WT/DS75/6) andtheUnited States (WT/DS84/4) toexamine theircomplaints withregard
tointernal taxes imposed byKorea oncertain alcoholic beverages pursuant toitsLiquor TaxLawand
Education TaxLaw.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, theUnited States, Korea andMexico spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, theUnited States, Korea andMexico spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish asingle panel pursuant toArticle 9
oftheDSU, withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentatives ofCanada andMexico reserved theirthird-party rights toparticipate in
thePanel proceedings.WT/DSB/10
Page 22
(m) Pakistan
- Patent protection forpharmaceutical andagricultural chemical products
(WT/DSB/M/29)
AttheDSBmeeting on25February 1997, theUnited States informed Members thattheparties
tothedispute would shortly notify theDSBinwriting oftheterms ofsettlement withregard tothis
matter.20
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andPakistan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(n) Turkey
- Taxation offoreign filmrevenues (WT/DSB/M/28, 29)
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest bytheUnited States forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard toTurkey 'staxation ofrevenues generated
from theshowing offoreign films (WT/DS43/2).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andTurkey spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andTurkey spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentative ofCanada reserved hisGovernment 'sthird-party righttoparticipate inthe
Panel proceedings.
(o) United States
(i) Anti-dumping duty ondynamic random access memory semiconductors
(DRAMS) ofonemegabyte orabove from Korea (WT/DSB/M/39)
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSB considered arequest byKorea forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard toadecision bytheUSDepartment of
Commerce nottorevoke theanti-dumping dutyondynamic random access memory semiconductors
(DRAMS) ofonemegabyte orabove originating form Korea (WT/DS99/2).
Therepresentatives ofKorea, theUnited States andJapan spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
20Subsequently circulated asdocument WT/DS36/4.WT/DSB/10
Page 23
(ii) Import prohibition ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products
(WT/DSB/M/28, 29,30,31)
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSBconsidered ajointrequest byMalaysia andThailand
fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaints withregard totheUnited States 'embargo
ontheimportation ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products (WT/DS58/6).
Therepresentative ofThailand, speaking alsoonbehalf ofMalaysia, andtherepresentatives
oftheUnited States, thePhilippines, Pakistan, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore,
Colombia, theEuropean Communities andEcuador spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBagain considered thismatter. Italsoconsidered
arequest byPakistan fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheUnited
States 'embargo ontheimportations ofcertain shrimp andshrimp products (WT/DS58/7).
Therepresentative ofThailand, speaking alsoonbehalf ofMalaysia andtherepresentatives
ofPakistan andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatementsandagreedtoestablishasinglepanelpursuanttoArticle9.1
oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
TherepresentativesofAustralia,Colombia,theEuropeanCommunities,Guatemala,HongKong,
India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, thePhilippines, Singapore andSriLanka reserved theirthird-party
rights toparticipate inthePanel proceedings.21
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSBconsidered arequest byIndia fortheestablishment
ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint concerning theUnited States 'import prohibitions ofcertain shrimp
andshrimp products (WT/DS58/8).
Therepresentatives ofIndia andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on10April 1997, theDSBagain considered India'srequest fortheestablishment
ofapanel (WT/DS58/8).
Therepresentatives ofIndia andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel asrequested byIndia with
standard terms ofreference, andagreed thatpursuant toArticle 9oftheDSU inrespect ofmultiple
complainants, thepanel established on25February 1997 toexamine thecomplaints byMalaysia,
Thailand andPakistan would alsoexamine India'scomplaint ascontained inWT/DS58/8.
21After themeeting Costa Rica, Ecuador andSenegal reserved their third-party rights.WT/DSB/10
Page 24
Inaddition tothose delegations thathadreserved theirthird-party rights toparticipate inthe
Panel established attherequests ofMalaysia, Thailand andPakistan, therepresentative ofVenezuela
reserved hisGovernment 'sthird-party rights.
(iii) Imposition ofanti-dumping duties onimports ofcolour television receivers
from Korea (WT/DSB/M/39)
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSB considered arequest byKorea forthe
establishment ofapanel toexamine itscomplaint withregard totheimposition ofanti-dumping duties
bytheUnited States onimports ofcolour television receivers from Korea (WT/DS89/7).
Therepresentatives ofKorea, theUnited States, Thailand andMexico spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
(iv) Measure affecting imports ofwoven wool shirts andblouses from India
(WT/DSB/M/29, 32,33)
InApril 1996, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequest ofIndia.22
AttheDSBmeeting on25February 1997, theChairman informed Members thatIndia had
notified theDSBofitsdecision toappeal thePanel Report inWT/DS33/R.
Therepresentative ofIndia spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torefer thismatter totheAppellate Body
forconsideration.
AttheDSBmeeting on30April 1997, theChairman proposed toreschedule thenextregular
meeting oftheDSB inorder tobeabletoconsider theadoption oftheAppellate Body Report
(WT/DS33/AB/R) andthePanel Report (WT/DS33/R) within thetime-period required under
Article 17.14 oftheDSU, soastoavoid convening twomeetings within afive-day period.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatement andagreed totheChairman 'sproposal.
Atitsmeeting on23May 1997, theDSB considered theAppellate Body Report in
WT/DS33/AB/R andthePanel Report inWT/DS33/R pertaining tothecomplaint byIndia.
Therepresentatives ofIndia, theUnited States, Hong Kong andCosta Ricaspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andadopted theAppellate Body Report inWT/DS33/AB/R
andthePanel Report inWT/DS33/R, asupheld bytheAppellate Body Report.
(v) Measures affecting textiles andapparel products (WT/DSB/M/36)
AttheDSBmeeting on30July1997, therepresentative ofHong Kong,China raised concerns
withregard tohisdelegation 'srequest tobejoined intheconsultations requested bytheEuropean
Communities withtheUnited States (WT/DS85/1). HedrewMembers 'attention totheneedtobalance
22WT/DSB/M/14.WT/DSB/10
Page 25
theinterests ofthirdparties vis-à-vis theparties directly involved inadispute andproposed thatthis
could beconsidered during thereview oftheDSU.
Therepresentatives ofHong Kong, China aswellasofIndia, Pakistan, Switzerland, the
Dominican Republic, Japan, Honduras andArgentina spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(vi) Restrictions onimports ofcotton and man-made fibre underwear
(WT/DSB/M/29, 30,31)
InMarch 1996, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequest ofCosta
Rica.23InNovember 1996, Costa Ricahadnotified itsdecision toappeal against oneaspect ofthe
Panel Report.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSB considered theAppellate Body Report in
WT/DS24/AB/R andthePanel Report inWT/DS24/R pertaining tothecomplaint byCosta Rica.
Therepresentatives ofCosta Rica, theUnited States, India andHong Kong spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andadopted theAppellate Body Report inWT/DS24/AB/R
andthePanel Report inWT/DS24/R, asmodified bytheAppellate Body Report.
AttheDSBmeeting on20March 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States informed the
DSBofhiscountry 'sintentions inrespect ofimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations pursuant
toArticle 21.3oftheDSU.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andCosta Ricaspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
AttheDSBmeeting on10April 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States announced that
themeasure which hadbeenthesubject ofexamination bythePanel (WT/DS24/R) andtheAppellate
Body(WT/DS24/AB/R)hadbeenallowedtoexpireon28March1997,therebyterminatingthisdispute.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States andCosta Ricaspoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(vii) Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline (WT/DSB/M/27)
InApril 1995, theDSB hadestablished apanel toexamine thismatter attherequest of
Venezuela.24InMay1995, theDSBhadestablished apanel toexamine thesame matter attherequest
ofBrazil.25Theparties tothedispute hadagreed thatthese twocomplaints beexamined byasingle
panel inaccordance withArticle 9oftheDSU. InFebruary 1996, theUnited States hadnotified the
DSBofitsdecision toappeal certain issues oflawandlegalinterpretations developed bythepanel.
23WT/DSB/M/12.
24WT/DSB/M/3.
25WT/DSB/M/5.WT/DSB/10
Page 26
InMay1996, theDSBhadadopted theAppellate Body Report (WT/DS2/AB/R) andthePanel Report
(WT/DS2/R) asmodified bytheAppellate Body Report.26
AttheDSBmeeting on3December 1996, Venezuela announced thatareasonable period of
timeforimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations on"United States -Standards forreformulated
andconventional gasoline" would be15months, starting retroactively from 20May1996.
Therepresentatives ofVenezuela, theUnited States andBrazil spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements.
(viii) TheCuban Liberty andDemocratic Solidarity Act(WT/DSB/M/26)
Atitsmeeting on20November 1996, theDSB considered arequest bytheEuropean
Communities andtheirmember States fortheestablishment ofapanel toexamine theircomplaint
regarding theUnited States 'legislation, theCuban Liberty andDemocratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD)
Actof1996, andrelated measures (WT/DS38/2 andCorr.1).
Therepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities, theUnited States, NewZealand, Cuba and
Norway spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed toestablish apanel inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 6oftheDSU withstandard terms ofreference.
Therepresentatives ofCanada andMexico reserved theirthird-party rights toparticipate in
thePanel proceedings.27
15. Surveillance ofimplementation ofrecommendations adopted bytheDSB
Matters considered bytheDSB under thisitemareincluded ontheagenda pursuant to
Article 21.6oftheDSU which provides that: "Unless theDSB decides otherwise, theissue of
implementation oftherecommendations orrulings shallbeplaced ontheagenda oftheDSBmeeting
aftersixmonthsfollowingthedateofestablishmentofthereasonabletime-periodpursuanttoparagraph3
andshallremain ontheDSB'sagenda untiltheissue isresolved. Atleast10daysprior toeachsuch
DSBmeeting, theMember concerned shallprovide theDSBwithastatus report inwriting ofitsprogress
intheimplementation oftherecommendations orrulings."
(a) United States
- Standards forreformulated andconventional gasoline
(WT/DSB/M/28, 29,30,32,33,35,36,37)
Atitsmeeting on22January 1997, theDSBconsidered thefirststatus report bytheUnited
States ontheimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations onthismatter (WT/DS2/10).
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Brazil andVenezuela spoke.
26WT/DSB/M/17.
27After themeeting Japan, Malaysia andThailand reserved their third-party rights.WT/DSB/10
Page 27
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25February 1997, theDSBconsidered thesecond status report bytheUnited
States contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.1.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Brazil andVenezuela spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on20March 1997, theDSBconsidered thethirdstatus report bytheUnited
States contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.2.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Brazil andVenezuela spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on30April 1997, theDSBconsidered thefourth status report bytheUnited
States contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.3.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Venezuela andBrazil spoke.
TheDSB tooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on23May1997, theDSBconsidered thefifthstatus report bytheUnited States
contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.4.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Brazil, theEuropean Communities andVenezuela
spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25June1997, theDSBconsidered thesixthstatus report bytheUnited States
contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.5.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Venezuela, theEuropean Communities andBrazil
spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on30July1997, theDSBconsidered theseventh status report bytheUnited
States contained inWT/DS2/10/Add.6.
Therepresentatives oftheUnited States, Brazil, Venezuela, andtheEuropean Communities
spoke.WT/DSB/10
Page 28
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSBconsidered thismatter inorder todiscuss the
finalstatus report bytheUnited States circulated on26August 1997indocument WT/DS2/10/Add.7.
Therepresentatives ofBrazil, Venezuela, theUnited States, Norway andtheEuropean
Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter.
(b) Japan
- Taxes onalcoholic beverages (WT/DSB/M/37, 38,39)
Atitsmeeting on25September 1997, theDSBconsidered thefirststatus report byJapan on
theimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations onthismatter (WT/DS8/18, WT/DS10/18,
WT/DS11/16).
Therepresentatives ofJapan, theUnited States, Canada andtheEuropean Communities spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on16October 1997, theDSB considered thesecond status report byJapan
contained inWT/DS8/18/Add.1, WT/DS10/18/Add.1, WT/DS/11/16/Add.1.
Therepresentatives ofJapan, theUnited States andCanada spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.
Atitsmeeting on18November 1997, theDSBconsidered thethird status report byJapan
contained inWT/DS8/18/Add.2, WT/DS10/18/Add.2, WT/DS11/16/Add.2.
Therepresentatives ofJapan, Canada andtheUnited States spoke.
TheDSBtooknoteofthestatements andagreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextregular
meeting.WT/DSB/10
Page 29
ANNEX
OVERVIEW OFTHE STATE OFPLAY OFWTO DISPUTES
Theattached overview, which reflects thestateofplayofWTO disputes from1January 1995
to31October1997,hasbeenpreparedbytheSecretariatonitsownresponsibility.SectionIsummarizes
thedevelopments fromtheinitial requests forconsultations untiltheestablishment ofpanels, including
thecases where mutually agreed solutions were found. Section IIdeals withthestage from the
establishment ofpanels, circulation ofpanel reports, appeals andreports oftheAppellate Body and
finally theadoption ofthereports. Section IIIcovers thestage dealing withthemonitoring ofthe
DSB'srecommendations.WT/DSB/10
Page 30SECTION I
REQUESTS FOR CONSULTATIONS, MUTUALLY AGREED SOLUTIONS
AND PANELS ESTABLISHED
(1January 1995 -31October 1997)
DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
1. Malaysia -Prohibition ofImports
ofPolyethylene andPolypropylene13.01.95
Singapore
WT/DS1/110.01.95 11.03.95 19.07.95
DSB/M/6
(withdrawal of
request)17.03.95
Singapore
WT/DS1/2
2. United States -Standards for
Reformulated andConventional
Gasoline02.02.95
Venezuela
WT/DS2/124.01.95 25.03.95 27.03.95
Venezuela
WT/DS2/210.04.95
WT/DSB/M/3
3. Korea -Measures Concerning the
Testing andInspection of
Agricultural Products06.04.95
US
WT/DS3/104.04.95 03.06.95 09.06.95
Japan
WT/DS3/2
4. United States -Standards for
Reformulated andConventional
Gasoline12.04.95
Brazil
WT/DS4/110.04.95 09.06.95 22.05.95
Brazil
WT/DS4/231.05.95
WT/DSB/M/5WT/DSB/10
Page 31DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
5. Korea -Measures Concerning the
Shelf-Life ofProducts05.05.95
US
WT/DS5/103.05.95 02.07.95 24.05.95
Canada
WT/DS5/2
09.06.95
Japan
WT/DS5/431.07.95
WT/DS5/5 &
Corr.1
24.11.95
Add.1
22.04.96
Add.1/Rev.1
22.04.96
Add.2
22.04.96
Add.3
19.07.96
Add.4
20.09.96
Add.5
6. United States -Imposition of
Import Duties onAutomobiles
from Japan under Sections 301
and304oftheTrade Actof197422.05.95
Japan
WT/DS6/117.05.95 16.07.95 02.06.95
EC
WT/DS6/2
12.06.95
Australia
WT/DS6/319.07.95
WT/DSB/M/6
7. EC-Trade Description of
Scallops24.05.95
Canada
WT/DS7/119.05.95 18.07.95 09.06.95
Chile
WT/DS7/2
09.06.95
Iceland
WT/DS7/3
09.06.96
Japan
WT/DS7/4
12.06.95
Peru
WT/DS7/519.07.96
WT/DS7/1210.07.95
Canada
WT/DS7/7 &
Corr.119.07.95
WT/DSB/M/6WT/DSB/10
Page 32DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
8. Japan -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages29.06.95
EC
WT/DS8/121.06.95 20.08.95 17.07.95
US
WT/DS8/2
17.07.95
Canada
WT/DS8/315.09.95
EC
WT/DS8/527.09.95
WT/DSB/M/7
9. EC-Duties onImports ofCereals 10.07.95
Canada
WT/DS9/130.06.95 29.08.95 15.09.95
Canada
WT/DS9/211.10.95
WT/DSB/M/8
10. Japan -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages17.07.95
Canada
WT/DS10/107.07.95 05.09.95 21.07.95
US
WT/DS10/2
27.07.95
EC
WT/DS10/315.09.95
Canada
WT/DS10/527.09.95
WT/DSB/M/7
11. Japan -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages17.07.95
US
WT/DS11/107.07.95 05.09.95 15.09.95
USA
WT/DS11/2 &
Corr.127.09.95
WT/DSB/M/7
12. EC-Trade Description of
Scallops25.07.95
Peru
WT/DS12/118.07.95 15.09.95 09.08.95
Canada
WT/DS12/3
11.08.95
Chile
WT/DS12/2
&Rev.1
17.08.95
Japan
WT/DS12/519.07.96
WT/DS12/1215.09.95
Peru
WT/DS12/6
Annex
22.09.95
Peru
WT/DS12/711.10.95
WT/DSB/M/8WT/DSB/10
Page 33DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
13. EC-Duties onImports ofGrains 26.07.95
US
WT/DS13/119.07.95 17.09.95 02.05.97
WTDS13/8
(withdrawal of
request)29.09.95
US
WT/DS13/2
22.11.96
WT/DS13/2/
Add.1
13.02.97
WT/DS13/5
27.03.97
WT/DS13/6
14. EC-Trade Description of
Scallops31.07.95
Chile
WT/DS14/124.07.95 22.09.95 07.08.95
Canada
WT/DS14/2
11.08.95
Peru
WT/DS14/3
17.08.95
Japan
WT/DS14/419.07.96
WT/DS14/1115.09.95
Chile
WT/DS14/5
Annex
27.09.95
Chile
WT/DS14/6
Annex11.10.95
WT/DSB/M/8
15. Japan -Measures Affecting the
Purchase ofTelecommunications
Equipment24.08.95
EC
WT/DS15/118.08.95 17.10.95 31.08.95
US
WT/DS15/2WT/DSB/10
Page 34DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
16. EC-Regime fortheImportation,
SaleandDistribution ofBananas04.10.95
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
US
WT/DS16/128.09.95 26.11.95 13.10.95
St.Lucia
WT/DS16/2
20.10.95
Colombia
WT/DS16/3
24.10.95
Dominican
Republic
WT/DS16/4
25.10.95
Venezuela
WT/DS16/5
20.10.95
Nicaragua
WT/DS16/6
30.10.95
Costa Rica
WT/DS16/7
17. EC-Duties onImports ofRice 11.10.95
Thailand
WT/DS17/105.10.95 04.12.95
18. Australia -Measures Affecting
Importation ofSalmon11.10.95
Canada
WT/DS18/105.10.95 04.12.95 10.03.97
WT/DS18/210.04.97
WT/DSB/M/31
19. Poland -Import Regime for
Automobiles18.10.95
India
WT/DS19/128.09.95 27.11.95 11.09.96
WT/DS19/2WT/DSB/10
Page 35DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
20. Korea -Measures Concerning
Bottled Water22.11.95
Canada
WT/DS20/108.11.95 08.01.96 30.11.95
US
WT/DS20/2
14.12.95
EC
WT/DS20/424.04.96
WT/DS20/6
21. Australia -Measures Affecting the
Importation ofSalmonids23.11.95
US
WT/DS21/120.11.95 19.01.96 13.12.95
Canada
WT/DS21/2
22. Brazil -Measures Affecting
Desiccated Coconut20.12.95
Philippines
WT/DS22/130.11.96 29.01.96 08.02.96
Philippines
WT/DS22/505.03.96
WT/DSB/M/12
23. Venezuela -Anti-Dumping
Investigation inRespect of
Imports ofCertain OilCountry
Tubular Goods OCTG04.01.96
Mexico
WT/DS23/105.12.95 03.02.96 26.05.97
WT/DS23/3
(termination of
investigation)
24. United States -Restriction on
Imports ofCotton andMan-Made
Fibre Underwear15.01.96
Costa Rica
WT/DS24/122.12.95 20.02.96 27.02.96
Costa Rica
WT/DS24/205.03.96
WT/DSB/M/12
25. EC-Implementation ofthe
Uruguay Round Commitments
Concerning Rice19.01.96
Uruguay
WT/DS25/114.12.95 12.02.96WT/DSB/10
Page 36DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
26. EC-Measures Concerning Meat
andMeat Products (Hormones)31.01.96
US
WT/DS26/126.01.96 26.03.96 08.02.96
New Zealand
WT/DS26/2
09.02.96
Australia
WT/DS26/3
13.02.96
Canada
WT/DS26/425.04.96
US
WT/DS26/620.05.96
WT/DSB/M/17
27. EC-Regime fortheImportation,
SaleandDistribution ofBananas13.02.96
Ecuador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
US
WT/DS27/105.02.96 05.04.96 28.02.96
Dominican
Republic
WT/DS27/2
28.02.96
St.Lucia
WT/DS27/3
28.02.96
Nicaragua
WT/DS27/4
01.03.96
Jamaica
WT/DS/27/512.04.96
Ecuador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
US
WT/DS27/608.05.96
WT/DSB/M/16
28. Japan -Measures Concerning
Sound Recordings14.02.96
US
WT/DS28/109.02.96 09.04.96 28.02.96
EC
WT/DS28/205.02.97
WT/DS28/4WT/DSB/10
Page 37DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
29. Turkey -Restrictions onImports
ofTextile andClothing Products15.02.96
Hong Kong
WT/DS29/112.02.96 12.04.96 01.03.96
EC
WT/DS29/2
28.02.06
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
WT/DS29/3
28.02.96
Peru
WT/DS29/4
29.02.96
India
WT/DS29/5
01.03.96
Brazil
WT/DS29/7
01.03.96
Canada
WT/DS29/8
30. Brazil -Countervailing Duties on
Imports ofDesiccated Coconut
andCoconut Milk Powder from
SriLanka05.03.96
SriLanka
WT/DS30/123.02.96 23.04.96
31. Canada -Certain Measures
Concerning Periodicals14.03.96
US
WT/DS31/111.03.96 10.05.96 24.05.96
US
WT/DS31/219.06.96
WT/DSB/M/19
32. United States -Measures
Affecting Imports ofWomen 's
andGirls'Wool Coats30.04.96
WT/DS32/215.03.96
India
WT/DS32/117.04.96
WT/DSB/M/14WT/DSB/10
Page 38DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
33. United States -Measures
Affecting Imports ofWoven Wool
Shirts andBlouses15.03.96
India
WT/DS33/1
andCorr.117.04.96
WT/DSB/M/14
34. Turkey -Restrictions onImports
ofTextile andClothing Products25.03.96
India
WT/DS34/121.03.96 20.05.96
35. Hungary -Export Subsidies in
Respect ofAgricultural Products02.04.96
Argentina
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
Thailand
US
WT/DS35/127.03.96 26.05.96 12.04.96
Japan
WT/DS35/210.01.97
Australia
WT/DS35/4
10.01.97
New Zealand
WT/DS/35/5
10.01.97
US
WT/DS35/6
10.01.97
Argentina
WT/DS35/725.02.97
WT/DSB/M/29
36. Pakistan -Patent Protection for
Pharmaceutical andAgricultural
Chemical Products06.05.96
US
WT/DS36/130.04.96 29.06.96 28.05.96
EC
WT/DS36/207.03.97
WT/DS36/404.07.96
US
WT/DS36/3
37. Portugal -Patent Protection under
theIndustrial Property Act06.05.96
US
WT/DS37/130.04.96 29.06.96 15.10.96
WT/DS37/2 &
Corr.1
38. United States -TheCuban Liberty
andDemocratic Solidarity Act13.05.96
EC
WT/DS38/103.05.96 02.07.96 08.10.96
EC
WT/DS38/2
14.10.96
Corr.120.11.96
WT/DSB/M/26WT/DSB/10
Page 39DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
39. United States -Tariff Increases on
Products from theEuropean
Communities29.05.96
EC
WT/DS39/118.04.96 17.06.96 24.06.96
EC
WT/DS39/2
40. Korea -Laws, Regulations and
Practices inthe
Telecommunications Procurement
Sector20.05.96
EC
WT/DS40/109.05.96 08.07.96 29.10.97
WT/DS40/2
41. Korea -Measures Concerning
Inspection ofAgricultural
Products31.05.96
US
WT/DS41/124.05.96 23.07.96
42. Japan -Measures Concerning
Sound Recordings04.06.96
EC
WT/DS42/128.05.96 27.07.96 11.06.96
US
WT/DS42/2
43. Turkey -Taxation ofForeign
Film Revenues17.06.96
US
WT/DS43/112.06.96 11.08.96 24.07.97
WT/DS43/310.01.97
US
WT/DS43/225.02.97
WT/DSB/M/29
44. Japan -Measures Affecting
Consumer Photographic Film and
Paper21.06.96
US
WT/DS44/113.06.96 12.08.96 20.09.96
US
WT/DS44/216.10.96
WT/DSB/M/24
45. Japan -Measures Affecting
Distribution Services20.06.96
US
WT/DS45/1
24.09.96
Add.113.06.96 12.08.96WT/DSB/10
Page 40DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
46. Brazil -Export Financing
Programme forAircraft21.06.96
Canada
WT/DS46/119.06.96 18.08.96 17.09.96
Canada
WT/DS46/2
04.10.96
WT/DS46/4
47. Turkey -Restrictions onImports
ofTextile andClothing Products26.06.96
Thailand
WT/DS47/120.06.96 19.08.96
48. European Communities -
Measures Affecting Livestock and
Meat (Hormones)08.07.96
Canada
WT/DS48/128.06.96 27.08.96 22.07.96
Australia
WT/DS48/2
23.07.96
US
WT/DS48/3
23.07.96
New Zealand
WT/DS48/417.09.96
Canada
WT/DS48/516.10.96
WT/DSB/M/24
49. United States -Anti-Dumping
Investigation Regarding Imports of
Fresh orChilled Tomatoes from
Mexico08.07.96
Mexico
WT/DS49/101.07.96 30.08.96
50. India -Patent Protection for
Pharmaceutical andAgricultural
Chemical Products09.07.96
US
WT/DS50/102.07.96 31.08.96 22.07.96
EC
WT/DS50/208.11.96
US
WT/DS50/420.11.96
WT/DSB/M/26WT/DSB/10
Page 41DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
51. Brazil -Certain Automotive
Investment Measures06.08.96
Japan
WT/DS51/130.07.96 28.09.96 13.08.96
Korea
WT/DS51/2
15.08.96
EC
WT/DS51/3
15.08.96
US
WT/DS51/4
19.08.96
Canada
WT/DS51/6
52. Brazil -Certain Measures
Affecting Trade andInvestment in
theAutomotive Sector14.08.96
US
WT/DS52/109.08.96 08.10.96 19.08.96
Canada
WT/DS52/2
19.08.96
Japan
WT/DS52/3
28.08.96
Korea
WT/DS52/4
02.09.96
EC
WT/DS52/5
53. Mexico -Customs Valuation of
Imports09.09.96
EC
WT/DS53/127.08.96 26.10.96 18.09.96
Norway
WT/DS53/2
30.09.96
Switzerland
WT/DS53/3WT/DSB/10
Page 42DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
54. Indonesia -Certain Measures
Affecting theAutomobile Industry14.10.96
EC
WT/DS54/103.10.96 02.12.96 23.10.96
US
WT/DS54/2
28.10.96
Japan
WT/DS54/3
29.10.96
Korea
WT/DS54/4
30.10.96
Canada
WT/DS54/512.05.97
EC
WT/DS54/612.06.97
EC
WT/DSB/M/34
55. Indonesia -Certain Measures
Affecting theAutomobile Industry10.10.96
Japan
WT/DS55/104.10.96 03.12.96 23.10.96
US
WT/DS55/2
25.10.96
EC
WT/DS55/3
30.10.96
Korea
WT/DS55/4
29.10.96
Canada
WT/DS55/518.04.97
Japan
WT/DS55/6 -
WT/DS64/412.06.97
WT/DSB/M/34
56. Argentina -Measures Affecting
Imports ofFootwear, Textiles,
Apparel andOther Items15.10.96
US
WT/DS56/104.10.96 03.12.96 29.10.96
Hungary
WT/DS56/2
04.11.96
EC
WT/DS56/310.01.97
US
WT/DS56/525.02.97
WT/DSB/M/29WT/DSB/10
Page 43DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
57. Australia -Textile, Clothing and
Footwear Import Credit Scheme09.10.96
US
WT/DS57/107.10.96 06.11.96
58. United States -Import Prohibition
ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp
Products14.10.96
India,
Malaysia,
Pakistan,
Thailand
WT/DS58/108.10.96 07.12.96 30.10.96
Hong Kong
WT/DS58/2
30.10.96
EC
WT/DS58/3
01.11.96
Japan
WT/DS58/4
06.11.96
Australia
WT/DS58/510.01.97
Malaysia
Thailand
WT/DS58/6
07.02.97
Pakistan
WT/DS58/7
04.03.97
India
WT/DS58/825.02.97
WT/DSB/M/29
(Malaysia,
Thailand,
Pakistan)
10.04.97
WT/DSB/M/31
India
59. Indonesia -Certain Measures
Affecting theAutomobile Industry15.10.96
US
WT/DS59/108.10.96 07.12.96 28.10.96
Japan
WT/DS59/2
30.10.96
EC
WT/DS59/3
30.10.96
Korea
WT/DS59/4
31.10.96
Canada
WT/DS59/513.06.97
US
WT/DS59/630.07.97
WT/DSB/M/36
60. Guatemala -Anti-Dumping
Investigation Regarding Imports of
Portland Cement from Mexico24.10.96
Mexico
WT/DS60/117.10.96 16.12.96 13.02.97
Mexico
WT/DS60/220.03.97
WT/DSB/M/30WT/DSB/10
Page 44DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
61. United States -Import Prohibition
ofCertain Shrimp andShrimp
Products04.11.96
Philippines
WT/DS61/125.10.96 24.12.96 19.11.96
Australia
WT/DS61/2
22.11.96
Japan
WT/DS61/3
62. European Communities -Customs
Classification ofSome Computer
Equipment14.11.96
US
WT/DS62/108.11.96 07.01.97 28.11.96
Korea
WT/DS62/2
29.11.96
Canada
WT/DS62/313.02.97
US
WT/DS62/425.02.97
WT/DSB/M/29
63. United States -Anti-Dumping
Measures onImports ofSolid
Urea from theFormer German
Democratic Republic09.12.96
EC
WT/DS63/128.11.96 27.01.97
64. Indonesia -Certain Measures
Affecting theAutomobile Industry05.12.96
Japan
WT/DS64/129.11.96 28.01.97 17.12.96
US
WT/DS64/2
18.12.96
EC
WT/DS64/318.04.97
Japan
WT/DS55/6-
WT/DS64/412.06.97
WT/DSB/M/34
65. Brazil -Certain Measures
Affecting Trade andInvestment in
theAutomotive Sector17.01.97
US
WT/DS65/110.01.97 11.03.97
66. Japan -Measures Affecting
Imports ofPork22.01.97
EC
WT/DS66/115.01.97 16.03.97 31.01.97
Canada
WT/DS66/2WT/DSB/10
Page 45DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
67. European Communities: UK-
Customs Classification ofSome
Computer Equipment20.02.97
US
WT/DS67/114.02.97 15.04.97 04.03.97
Korea
WT/DS67/210.03.97
US
WT/DS67/320.03.97
DSB decided
thatthisdispute
willbeexamined
bythepanel
established on
25February 1997
(WT/DSB/M/30)
68. European Communities: Ireland -
Customs Classification ofSome
Computer Equipment19.02.97
US
WT/DS68/114.02.97 15.04.97 10.03.97
US
WT/DS68/220.03.97
DSB decided
thatthisdispute
willbeexamined
bythepanel
established on
25February 1997
(WT/DSB/M/30)
69. European Communities -
Measures Affecting Importation of
Certain Poultry Products04.03.97
Brazil
WT/DS69/124.02.97 25.04.97 12.06.97
Brazil
WT/DS69/230.07.97
WT/DSB/M/36
70. Canada -Measures Affecting the
Export ofCivilian Aircraft14.03.97
Brazil
WT/DS70/110.03.97 09.04.97
71. Canada -Measures Affecting the
Export ofCivilian Aircraft14.03.97
Brazil
WT/DS71/110.03.97 09.05.97
72. European Communities -
Measures Affecting Butter
Products03.04.97
New Zealand
WT/DS72/124.03.97 23.05.97WT/DSB/10
Page 46DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
73. Japan -Procurement ofa
Navigation Satellite01.04.97
EC
WT/DS73/126.03.97 25.05.97 11.04.97
US
WT/DS73/214.08.97
WT/DS73/4
/Rev.1
74. Philippines -Measures Affecting
Pork andPoultry07.04.97
US
WT/DS74/101.04.97 31.05.97 22.04.97
EC
WT/DS74/2
24.04.97
Canada
WT/DS74/3
75. Korea -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages09.04.97
EC
WT/DS75/102.04.97 01.06.97 22.04.97
US
WT/DS75/2
24.04.37
Canada
WT/DS75/315.09.97
EC
WT/DS75/616.10.97
WT/DSB/M/38
76. Japan -Measures Affecting
Agricultural Products09.04.97
US
WT/DS76/107.04.97 06.06.97 06.10.97
US
WT/DS76/2
77. Argentina -Measures Affecting
Textiles andClothing28.04.97
EC
WT/DS77/121.04.97 20.06.97 14.05.97
US
WT/DS/77/215.09.97
EC
WT/DS77/3
06.10.97
Rev.1
16.10.97
Rev.1/Corr.116.10.97
WT/DSB/M/38
78. United States -Safeguard Measure
Against Imports ofBroom Corn
Brooms01.05.97
Colombia
WT/DS78/128.04.97 27.06.97WT/DSB/10
Page 47DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
79. India -Patent Protection for
Pharmaceutical andAgricultural
Chemical Products06.05.97
EC
WT/DS79/128.04.97 27.06.97 15.09.97
EC
WT/DS79/216.10.97
WT/DSB/M/38
80. Belgium -Measures Affecting
Commercial Telephone Directory
Services13.05.97
US
WT/DS80/102.05.97 01.07.97
81. Brazil -Certain Measures
Affecting Trade andInvestment in
theAutomotive Sector20.05.97
EC
WT/DS81/107.05.97 06.07.97
82. Ireland -Measures Affecting the
Grant ofCopyright and
Neighbouring Rights22.05.97
US
WT/DS82/114.05.97 13.07.97
83. Denmark -Measures Affecting the
Enforcement ofIntellectual
Property Rights21.05.97
US
WT/DS83/114.05.97 13.07.97
84. Korea -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages28.05.97
US
WT/DS84/123.05.97 22.07.97 02.06.97
Canada
WT/DS/84/2
13.06.97
EC
WT/DS84/315.09.97
US
WT/DS84/416.10.97
WT/DSB/M/38WT/DSB/10
Page 48DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
85. United States -Measures
Affecting Textiles andApparel
Products03.06.97
EC
WT/DS85/122.05.97 21.07.97 11.06.97
Switzerland
WT/DS85/2
18.06.97
Honduras
WT/DS85/3
17.06.97
Hong Kong
WT/DS85/4
18.06.97
Pakistan
WT/DS85/5
18.06.97
India
WT/DS85/6
19.06.97
Japan
WT/DS85/7
25.06.97
Dominican
Republic
WT/DS85/8
86. Sweden -Measures Affecting the
Enforcement ofIntellectual
Property Rights02.06.97
US
WT/DS86/128.05.97 27.07.97WT/DSB/10
Page 49DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
87. Chile -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages11.06.97
EC
WT/DS87/104.06.97 03.08.97 30.06.97
Peru
WT/DS87/2
25.06.97
US
WT/DS87/3
30.06.97
Mexico
WT/DS87/406.10.97
EC
WT/DS87/5
88. United States -Measure Affecting
Government Procurement26.06.97
EC
WT/DS88/120.06.97 19.08.97 02.07.97
Japan
WT/DS88/2
89. United States -Imposition ofAnti-
Dumping Duties onImports of
Colour Television Receivers from
Korea16.07.97
Korea
WT/DS89/1
04.08.97
WT/DS89/1
andCorr.110.07.97 09.09.97 28.07.97
Mexico
WT/DS89/2
01.08.97
Thailand
WT/DS89/3
01.08.97
Japan
WT/DS89/4
04.08.97
HongKong,
China
WT/DS89/5
04.08.97
EC
WT/DS89/6WT/DSB/10
Page 50DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
90. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textile andIndustrial Products22.07.97
US
WT/DS90/115.07.97 13.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS90/2
05.08.97
EC
WT/DS90/3
05.08.97
Canada
WT/DS90/4
05.08.97
Australia
WT/DS90/5
05.08.97
Switzerland
WT/DS90/6
08.08.97
New Zealand
WT/DS90/706.10.97
US
WT/DS90/8WT/DSB/10
Page 51DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
91. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textile andIndustrial Products22.07.97
Australia
WT/DS91/116.07.97 14.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS91/2
05.08.97
US
WT/DS91/3
05.08.97
EC
WT/DS91/4
05.08.97
Canada
WT/DS91/5
05.08.97
Switzerland
WT/DS91/6
08.08.97
New Zealand
WT/DS91/7WT/DSB/10
Page 52DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
92. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textile andIndustrial Products22.07.97
Canada
WT/DS92/116.07.97 14.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS92/2
05.08.97
US
WT/DS92/3
05.08.97
EC
WT/DS92/4
05.08.97
Australia
WT/DS92/5
05.08.97
Switzerland
WT/DS92/6
08.08.97
New Zealand
WT/DS92/7WT/DSB/10
Page 53DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
93. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textile andIndustrial Products22.07.97
New Zealand
WT/DS93/116.07.97 14.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS93/2
05.08.97
US
WT/DS93/3
05.08.97
EC
WT/DS93/4
05.08.97
Canada
WT/DS93/5
05.08.97
Australia
WT/DS93/6
05.08.97
Switzerland
WT/DS93/7WT/DSB/10
Page 54DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
94. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textile andIndustrial Products23.07.97
Switzerland
WT/DS94/1
05.08.97
WT/DS94/1
andCorr.117.07.97 15.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS94/2
05.08.97
US
WT/DS94/3
05.08.97
EC
WT/DS94/4
05.08.97
Canada
WT/DS94/5
05.08.97
Australia
WT/DS94/6
08.08.97
New Zealand
WT/DS94/7
95. United States -Measure Affecting
Government Procurement21.07.97
Japan
WT/DS95/118.07.97 16.09.97 30.07.97
EC
WT/DS95/2WT/DSB/10
Page 55DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
96. India -Quantitative Restrictions
onImports ofAgricultural,
Textiles andIndustrial Products24.07.97
EC
WT/DS96/118.07.97 16.09.97 30.07.97
Japan
WT/DS96/2
05.08.97
US
WT/DS96/3
05.08.97
Canada
WT/DS96/4
05.08.97
Australia
WT/DS96/5
05.08.97
Switzerland
WT/DS96/6
08.08.97
New Zealand
WT/DS96/7
97. United States -Countervailing
Duty Investigation ofImports of
Salmon from Chile12.08.97
Chile
WT/DS97/105.08.97 04.10.97
98. Korea -Definitive Safeguard
Measure onImports ofCertain
Dairy Products15.08.97
EC
WT/DS/98/112.08.97 11.10.97 03.09.97
Australia
WT/DS98/2
99. United States -Anti-Dumping
Duty onDynamic Random Access
Memory Semiconductors
(DRAMS) ofOneMegabyte or
Above from Korea15.08.97
Korea
WT/DS99/1
25.08.97
WT/DS99/1
andCorr.114.08.97 13.10.97WT/DSB/10
Page 56DisputeRequest for
Consultations
(date of
circulation)Date of
Receipt of
theRequest
for
ConsultationExpiration of
Consultation
PeriodRequest to
Join
ConsultationsMutually
Agreed
SolutionRequest for
Establishment
ofaPanelPanel
Established
100. United States -Measures
Affecting Imports ofPoultry
Products25.08.97
EC
WT/DS100/118.08.97 17.10.97
101. Mexico -Anti-dumping
Investigation ofHigh-Fructose
Corn Syrup (HFCS) from the
United States15.09.97
US
WT/DS101/104.09.97 03.11.97
102. Philippines -Measures Affecting
Pork andPoultry09.10.97
US
WT/DS102/107.10.97 06.12.97 23.10.97
Canada
WT/DS102/3
28.10.97
EC
WT/DS102/4
103. Canada -Measures Affecting the
Importation ofMilk andthe
Exportation ofDairy Products13.10.97
US
WT/DS103/108.10.97 07.12.97 24.10.97
Japan
WT/DS103/2
27.10.97
Australia
WT/DS103/3
104. European Communities -
Measures Affecting the
Exportation ofProcessed Cheese13.10.97
US
WT/DS104/108.10.97 07.12.97 24.10.97
Japan
WT/DS104/2
27.10.97
Australia
WT/DS104/3
28.10.97
Canada
WT/DS104/4
105. European Communities -Regime
fortheImportation, Saleand
Distribution ofBananas25.10.97
Panama
WT/DS105/124.10.97 23.12.97WT/DSB/10
Page 57SECTION II
PANEL AND APPELLATE BODY REPORTS
Circulation andAdoption
(1January 1995 -31October 1997)
Dispute Panel
EstablishedPanel Report
CirculatedExpiration
of20-Day
PeriodExpiration
of60-Day
PeriodNotice of
AppealPanel Report
AdoptedAppellate Report
CirculatedExpiration
of30-Day
PeriodAppellate Report
Adopted
1.US-Standards for
Reformulated and
Conventional Gasoline10.04.95
Venezuela
WT/DS2
31.05.95
Brazil
WT/DS429.01.96
WT/DS2/R18.02.96 29.03.96 21.02.96
US
WT/DS2/620.05.96
WT/DS2/929.04.96
WT/DS2/AB/R29.05.96 20.05.96
WT/DS2/9
2.Japan -Taxes on
Alcoholic Beverages27.09.95
EC
WT/DS8
Canada
WT/DS10
US
WT/DS1111.07.96
EC
WT/DS8/R
Canada
WT/DS10/R
US
WT/DS11/R31.07.96 09.09.96 08.08.96
Japan
WT/DS8/9
WT/DS10/9
WT/DS11/601.11.96
WT/DS8/11
WT/DS10/11
WT/DS11/804.10.96
WT/DS8/AB/R
WT/DS10/AB/R
WT/DS11/AB/R03.11.96 01.11.96
WT/DS8/11
WT/DS10/11
WT/DS11/8
3.EC-Trade Description
ofScallops19.07.95
Canada
WT/DS705.08.96
WT/DS7/R
4.EC-Trade Description
ofScallops11.10.95
Peru
WT/DS12
Chile
WT/DS1405.08.96
WT/DS12/R
WT/DS14/R
5.Brazil -Measures
Affecting Desiccated
Coconut05.03.96
Philippines
WT/DS2217.10.96
WT/DS22/R06.11.96 16.12.96 16.12.96
Philippines
WT/DS22/820.03.97
WT/DS22/11
/Rev.221.02.97
WT/DS22/AB/R23.03.97 20.03.97
WT/DS22/11/
Rev.2WT/DSB/10
Page 58Dispute Panel
EstablishedPanel Report
CirculatedExpiration
of20-Day
PeriodExpiration
of60-Day
PeriodNotice of
AppealPanel Report
AdoptedAppellate Report
CirculatedExpiration
of30-Day
PeriodAppellate Report
Adopted
6.US-Restrictions on
Imports ofCotton and
Man-Made Fibre
Underwear05.03.96
Costa Rica
WT/DS2408.11.96
WT/DS24/R28.11.96 07.01.97 11.11.96
Costa Rica
WT/DS24/525.02.97
WT/DS24/810.02.97
WT/DS24/AB/R12.03.97 25.02.97
WT/DS24/8
7.US-Measure Affecting
Imports ofWoven
Wool Shirts and
Blouses from India17.04.96
India
WT/DS3306.01.97
WT/DS33/R26.01.97 07.03.97 24.02.97
WT/DS33/323.05.97
WT/DS33/525.04.97
WT/DS33/AB/R
andCorr.125.05.97 23.05.97
WT/DS33/5
8.Canada -Certain
Measures Concerning
Periodicals19.06.96
US
WT/DS3114.03.97
WT/DS31/R and
Corr.103.04.97 13.05.97 29.04.97
WT/DS31/530.07.97
WT/DS31/730.06.97
WT/DS31/AB/R31.07.97 30.07.97
WT/DS31/7
9.EC-Regime forthe
Importation, Saleand
Distribution ofBananas08.05.96
Ecuador,
Guatemala,
Honduras,
Mexico,
US
WT/DS2722.05.97
WT/DS27/R/ECU
WT/DS27/R/GTM
WT/DS27/R/HND
WT/DS27/R/MEX
WT/DS27/R/USA11.06.97 21.07.97 11.06.97
WT/DS27/925.09.97
WT/DS27/1209.09.97
WT/DS27/AB/R09.10.97 25.09.97
WT/DS27/12
10.ECMeasures
Concerning Meat and
Meat Products
(Hormones)20.05.96
US
WT/DS26
16.10.96
Canada
WT/DS4818.08.97
WT/DS26/R/USA
WT/DS48/R/CAN07.09.97 17.10.97 24.09.97
WT/DS26/9
WT/DS48/7
11.India -Patent
Protection for
Pharmceutical and
Agricultural Chemical
Products20.11.96
US
WT/DS5005.09.97
WT/DS50/R25.09.97 04.11.97 15.10.97
WT/DS50/6WT/DSB/10
Page 59SECTION III
IMPLEMENTATION OFDSB RECOMMENDATIONS
(1January 1995 -31October 1997)
DisputeAdoption of
Panel/Appellate
Body ReportsNotification ofIntentions on
Implementation ofDSB
Recommendations
(Within 30daysafter thedateofadoption ofthe
panel/Appellate Body report )Date ofDetermination
ofReasonable Period
ofTimeReasonable Period
ofTime
(DSU Art. 21.3)Surveillance by
DSB (Art. 21.6)*
1.US-Standards for
Reformulated and
Conventional Gasoline20.05.96
WT/DS2/919.06.96
WT/DSB/M/1903.12.96
WT/DSB/M/2720.05.96 -20.08.97
(15months)WT/DS2/10
WT/DS2/10/Add.1
WT/DS2/10/Add.2
WT/DS2/10/Add.3
WT/DS2/10/Add.4
WT/DS2/10/Add.5
WT/DS2/10/Add.6
WT/DS2/10/Add.7
2.Japan -Taxes onAlcoholic
Beverages01.11.96
WT/DS8/11
WT/DS10/11
WT/DS11/820.11.96
WT/DSB/M/2614.02.97
WT/DS8/15
WT/DS10/15
WT/DS11/1301.11.96 -01.02.98
(15months)(WT/DS8/18-
WT/DS10/18-
WT/DS11/16)
(WT/DS8/18/Add.1-
WT/DS10/18/Add.1-
WT/DS11/16/Add.1)
3.US-Restrictions on
Imports ofCotton andMan-
made Fibre Underwear25.02.97
WT/DS24/820.03.97
WT/DSB/M/30Themeasure expired
on28.03.97
WT/DSB/M/31
4.Brazil -Measures Affecting
Desiccated Coconut20.03.97
WT/DS22/11/Rev.2N.A.
5.US-Measure Affecting
Imports ofWoven Wool
Shirts andBlouses from
India23.05.97
WT/DS33/5Therestraint rescinded
on03.12.96
WT/DSB/M/33WT/DSB/10
Page 60 DisputeAdoption of
Panel/Appellate
Body ReportsNotification ofIntentions on
Implementation ofDSB
Recommendations
(Within 30daysafter thedateofadoption ofthe
panel/Appellate Body report )Date ofDetermination
ofReasonable Period
ofTimeReasonable Period
ofTime
(DSU Art. 21.3)Surveillance by
DSB (Art. 21.6)*
6..Canada -Certain Measures
Concerning Periodicals30.07.97
WT/DS31/729.08.97
WT/DS31/825.09.97
WT/DSB/M/3730.07.97 -30.10.98
(15months)
7.EC-Regime forthe
Importation, Saleand
Distribution ofBananas25.09.97
WT/DS27/1216.10.97
WT/DSB/M/38
*Sixmonths after thereasonable period oftime isestablished.WORLD TRADE WT/DSB/10/Corr.1
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5260)
Dispute Settlement Body
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY
Annual Report (1997)
Corrigendum
Item14(f)(v): European Communities -Regime fortheimportation, saleanddistribution ofbananas
Page13
Fifth paragraph, second lineshould read: "...European Communities informed theDSBof
theirintentions inrespect ofimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations ..."
Seventh paragraph, second lineshould read: "...Communities regarding theirintentions in
respect oftheimplementation oftheDSB'srecommendations."SECTION III
TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODYWORLD TRADE WT/TPR/41
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5248)
Trade Policy Review Body
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM
REPORT OFTHE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY FOR 1997
Chairman: H.E. Mr.Munir Akram (Pakistan)
1. TheTrade Policy Review Mechanism hasnowbeeninexistence forseven andahalfyears.
TheMarrakesh Agreement envisages anappraisal ofitsoperation atthelatest in1999("not more than
fiveyears aftertheentry intoforce oftheAgreement Establishing theWTO"). Members, however,
have kepttheMechanism under frequent review since itsinception andanumber ofprocedural
improvements havebeenintroduced.
2. Thisreport bytheTrade Policy Review Body seeks toprovide theBody'sannual assessment
oftheextent towhich theTPRM isfulfilling itsstated objectives anditsutility toMembers. Italso
discusses programmes andchallenges forthefuture. AtableofTrade Policy Reviews totheendof
1997 andthedraftprogramme for1998 areannexed.
3. TheTPRB isgrateful totheformer Chairperson, Ambassador Anne Anderson (Ireland), and
tothepresent Chairman oftheGeneral Council, Ambassador Celso Lafer (Brazil), forhaving chaired
twomeetings oftheBody intheunavoidable absence oftheChairperson.
Fulfilling itsObjectives
4. Inframing theirexpectations oftheTPRM, Members areguided bytheobjectives stated in
Annex 3totheMarrakesh Agreement:
"tocontribute toimproved adherence byallMembers torules, disciplines andcommitments
made under theMultilateral Trade Agreements and,where applicable, thePlurilateral Trade
Agreements, andhence tothesmoother functioning ofthemultilateral trading system, by
achieving greater transparency in,andunderstanding of,thetrade policies andpractices of
Members."
5. Bytheendof1997, 87reviews havebeenconducted, covering 61Members counting the
European Union asone(Annex I).TheTPRM spotlight has,asnoted intheTPRB 'sreport tothe
Singapore Ministerial Conference (WT/TPR/27), effectively focused onthesignificant members in
theWTO trading system andhasilluminated themostsalient trends. However, theMechanism has
toruntokeep upwiththeincreasing membership oftheWTO: since thereport toSingapore,
membership (counting theEUasone)hasrisenfrom108to117and32Governments areintheprocess
ofaccession.
6. During 1997, eight reviews havebeenconducted, forFiji,Cyprus, Paraguay, Benin, Chile,
Mexico, Malaysia andtheEuropean Union. Fourofthesehavebeenfirst-time reviews fortheMembersWT/TPR/41
Page 2
concerned; theothers were repeat reviews, thefourth overall inthecaseoftheEU.Thereview of
theEUwasthefirsttobeconducted under the"interim review" framework agreed bytheTPRB in
1996; assuch, itfocused ondevelopments intradepolicies inthepasttwoyears andonselected sectoral
issues, rather thanbeing comprehensive incoverage.
7. Anumber ofreviews havebeenrescheduled either within the1997 programme or,asnoted
inAnnex II,from1997into1998, forvarious reasons. Postponement ofreviews isalways undesirable,
duetotheeffects ontheoverall programme andfrequency ofreviews.
8. Theprogramme ofreviews for1998 (Annex II)contains, inaddition tothereviews carried
overfrom1997, provision forreviews offifteen Members. These comprise onemember onthetwo-year
cycle, fourreviews onthefour-year cycle, fivereviews onthe6-year cycle andfivereviews of
least-developed countries.
9. Generally speaking, procedures forreviews haverunsmoothly. Inmostcases, questionnaires
havebeenanswered andinformation provided within, orcloseto,theappropriate timeframes; missions
havebeenproductive; andpertinent comments havebeensupplied onSecretariat drafts, giving the
Secretariat thepossibility ofcorrecting misunderstandings orinaccuracies. Theresult hasbeenthat
thecontent andstyle ofthereviews continues toimprove. Thecontinued active cooperation of
delegations andtheauthorities incapitals isanessential partoftheTPRprocess, without which itwould
loseagreat dealofitsauthority.
10. Inthisconnection, fourother aspects maybestressed. Itisrecognized thattheSecretariat
reports andthepolicy statements byMembers complement eachother wellandprovide afirmbasis
forthediscussions intheTPRB. Theprocess hasalsobeenfavoured withexpert discussants whohave
consistently highlighted, inaneffective manner, theprincipal issues fordiscussion ineachReview.
Questions posed byMembers inthemeetings havebeenconcrete, specific andpertinent. Andthe
levelofcomposition ofdelegations frommembers under review continues tobestrong, withleadership
often atMinisterial orDeputy Ministerial level, orinother cases senior official level, andwith
delegations including substantial expertise fromcapitals. Alltheseelements areimportant inmaintaining
thestrength andcredibility ofthereview process.
Utility toMembers
11. Asnoted inthe1996Report oftheTPRB, there isaclearvalue forWTO Members inhaving
aforum, separated fromthelegal, dispute-related work oftheWTO, where theycanopenly discuss
allaspects ofeachother'strade policies andpractices, elicit information andregister concerns. The
TPRM permits notonlythe"peer pressure" envisaged initsorigins butalsoanassessment bythewhole
WTO membership ofthesystemic effects oftheirtrade policies andpractices. Themechanism can
alsoprovide avaluable input intonational policy making, byserving asanindependent, objective
assessment which canassist governments inpursuing desirable trade policy reforms. Members have
alsocommented ontheextent towhich theexperience ofreview hashelped tostrengthen inter-agency
discussion andco-operation intheirowncountries. TheTPRM may, inaddition, illuminate areas
ofWTO obligations which mayhavereceived insufficient attention andhelptoensure thatthese are
addressed; andfordeveloping countries, themechanism maybeaneffective contribution totechnical
assistance efforts.
12. Initsreport totheSingapore Ministerial Conference, theTPRB noted that,inreviewing a
cross-section ofcountries eachyear, theTPRM inevitably shows upwider patterns which influence
policy approaches inindividual Members. TheSecretariat hastraced thesewider patterns inthechapters
dealing with"Developments inTrade Policy" intheAnnual Reports oftheWTO for1996and1997.WT/TPR/41
Page 3
TheAnnual Overview ofDevelopments intheInternational Trading System, provided forinSection G
oftheAgreement ontheTPRM, mayalsobeusedtodevelop astructured approach tothecomposite
picture emerging from individual reviews andtoidentify wider themes forconsideration byWTO
members andcommittees.
Principal Themes Emerging from 1997 Reviews
13. Each review isspecific, andtheissues raised ineachmeeting arenecessarily peculiar tothe
Members concerned. Nevertheless, during theyear, anumber ofcommon themes havearisen during
reviews.
- Themacroeconomic andstructural context fortradepolicies, andtherelationship among these
elements, have consistently been animportant theme. Inthisfield, Members have been
concerned withthedirection ofeconomic andtradereforms, andtheireffects; thetransparency
ofpolicy making; theeffects ofspecific incentives ontrade, investment, andcompetition
conditions; andanypossible reversals stemming fromdeterioration ineconomic performance.
- Thebalance among unilateral (autonomous), bilateral, regional andmultilateral strands oftrade
policy making hasbeenamajor theme. Virtually allMembers reviewed in1997aremembers
of,orpotential adherents to,significant regional arrangements. Thepriority given to,andthe
relative paceof,regional andmultilateral liberalization havebeenimportant systemic concerns.
- Generally, there hasbeenacloser linkthanpreviously between thediscussion ofindividual
Members 'tradepolicies andpractices andtheimplementation ofWTO Agreements. Attention
hasbeen paidtospecific WTO-related aspects oftrade policies, inter alia,fulfilment of
notificationrequirements;theevolutionoftariffs,includingmeasuresintroducedunder"ceiling"
bindings;participation,ormovestowardparticipation,inparticularWTOAgreements,including
theuseofanti-dumping measures, introduction bydeveloping countries ofWTO customs
valuation methods, andimplementation ofTRIPS; adaptation ofnational legislation toWTO
requirements, particularly where regional agreements arealsoconcerned; andGovernment
procurement andState trading.
- Sectoral elements ofpolicy discussed inTPRB meetings haveincluded price-related andhealth
measures inagriculture; provisions applied totheautomotive sector; andmeasures related to
services, including telecommunications andfinancial services. Theinter-sectoral effects of
protective measures havealsobeenhighlighted.
Coverage ofLeast-Developed Countries
14. InitsReport toSingapore, theTPRB noted that"The question ofcompleting thecoverage
ofTPRs, particularly tothesmaller developing andleast-developed countries, isonewhich willrequire
particular attention inthepreparation oftheTPRB timetable."
15. Upto1997, theTPRM hascovered tenleastdeveloped countries (LDCs). ForLDCs, the
reviews mayprovide initial contact withtheWTO processes, ordeepen suchcontact overanextended
period; giveauseful occasion forpresentation oftheirtrade policies andneeds totheother Members
oftheWTO; andbeagateway tocontinuing technical cooperation. TheSecretariat has,asrequested
in1996, attempted togroup reviews ofLDCs, aswellascertain other developing countries, tothe
extent feasible andlogical; theprogramme for1998 includes "grouped" reviews ofBurkina Faso,
Togo, andMali among LDCs, oftheSouthern African Customs Union, which includes oneLDC
(Lesotho), andofTrinidad andTobago andJamaica.WT/TPR/41
Page 4
16. According totheAgreement ontheTPRM, leastdeveloped countries aresubject toreview
every sixyears, oratalonger interval. Theconclusions oftheHigh Level Meeting ofOctober 1997
encourage LDCs toseektradepolicy reviews andencourage theWTO toaccommodate suchrequests.
Outofthe29LDCs thatarecurrently WTO Members, TPRs havesofarcovered, areinprogress
for,orhavebeenrequested by,thirteen LDCs (Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African
Republic, Chad, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, Uganda, Solomon Islands, Togo andZambia).
Thussixteen LDCmembers oftheWTO remain tobereviewed: Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic
ofCongo, Djibouti, TheGambia, Haiti, Madagascar, Maldives, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique,
Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda Sierra Leone andTanzania.
Thebalance ofdemands andresources
17. Theprogramme ofreviews for1998 isasubstantial increase from 1997 and,indeed, from
previous years. Asnoted above, newrequests forreviews havealready resulted fromtheHigh Level
Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives forLeast Developed Countries 'Trade Development, andmore are
boundtofollow.Thecontinuingchallengeistoensuremaximumeffectivenessofthehumanandfinancial
resources usedinthese circumstances, while maintaining quality.
18. Additional reviews requested have, insome cases, beencarried outwiththeassistance of
consultants, under theclose supervision oftheSecretariat. Thishasbeendoneinthreecases, covering
nineMembers (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia andSwaziland intheSACU jointreview; Burkina Faso,
Guinea, MaliandTogo; andtheSolomon Islands). Funding fortheseconsultancies hasbeenprovided
onaproject ortrustfundbasis from theUnited Kingdom, Denmark andAustralia.
Enhancing awareness oftheTPRM
19. During theyear, progress hasbeenmade inenhancing awareness oftheTPRM outside the
Geneva circle. Documents distributed forreviews arenowmore readily available toalldelegations
inelectronic format through theSecretariat 'sDocument Management System. Press briefings are
regularly heldbytheChair andinsome cases bytheMembers under review. TheSummary
Observations bytheSecretariat, theWTO press release, andtheClosing Remarks bytheChair are
made available ontheWTO Internet home page(http://www.wto.org). Theprocess ofpost-meeting
publication hasbeenaccelerated, achieving publication ofreports bytheWTO Secretariat, atleast
inEnglish, within, onaverage, twomonths ofTPRB meetings. Inaddition, TPRs arebeing made
available on-line under theFinancial Times Information Service network from theendofNovember
1997. Discussions arealsobeing pursued withaninternational publishing company topublish and
market Trade Policy Reviews onbehalf oftheWTO. There is,moreover, asubstantial bibliography
ofacademic andjournal publications concerning theTPRM, which shows thataccess toandawareness
ofthemechanism isgrowing.WT/TPR/41
Page 5
Conclusion
20. During 1997, theTPRM hascontinued tofulfilitsroleasaneffective exercise intransparency
andevaluation ofthefullrange ofMembers 'tradepolicies. Theparticipation ofMembers under review
hasbeengenerally satisfactory, although thepostponement ofreviews isregretted; adherence tothe
schedule ofreviews, onceestablished, should betaken asapriority bytheMembers andSecretariat.
21. Theexpansion oftheMechanism todealeffectively withquestions ofservices, intellectual
property andother issues intheWTO agenda hascontinued. Theprogramme for1998, comprising
17review meetings covering 24members, shows theincreasing interest taken intheMechanism by
many Members, including least-developed countries. Taking intoaccount thelimited resources of
theSecretariat andthegrowing number ofrequests forreviews, itisnecessary tokeeptheefficient
functioning oftheMechanism under review.WT/TPR/41
Page 6
Annex I Trade Policy Reviews Conducted, 1989-1997
Europe/Middle East Asia/Pacific Africa America
Austria1aAustralia (2)aBéninbArgentinaa
Czech RepublicbBangladeshaCameroonaBrazil (2)c
CyprusbFijibCôted'IvoirebBoliviaa
European Union (4)cHong Kong, China (2)aEgyptaCanada (4)c
Finland1aIndiaaGhanaaChilec
HungaryaIndonesia (2)aKenyaaColombia (2)c
IcelandaJapan (3)aMauritiusbCosta Ricab
IsraelaKorea (2)cMorocco (2)cDominican Republicb
Norway (2)cMacauaNigeriaaElSalvadorb
PolandaMalaysia (2)aSenegalaMexico (2)c
RomaniaaNewZealand (2)cSouth AfricaaParaguayb
SlovakiabPakistanaTunisiaaPerua
Sweden1(2)aPhilippinesaUgandabUnited States (4)c
Switzerland (2)cSingapore (2)cZambiabUruguaya
TurkeyaSriLankabZimbabweaVenezuelab
Thailand (2)c
15 16 15 15
a Reviewed under GATT 1947.
b Reviewed under theWTO.
c Reviewed under GATT 1947 andtheWTO.
1 Included inEUfrom 1995.
() Figures inbrackets show thenumber ofreviews where thisisgreater than1.WT/TPR/41
Page 7
Annex II Programme oftrade policy reviews for1998
Reviews onthetwo-year cycle: Canada (interim), Japan1
Reviews onthefour-year cycle: Australia, Hong Kong China, Hungary1,India1,Indonesia,
Southern African Customs Union1,Turkey
Reviews onthesix-year cycle: Argentina, Ghana, Jamaica withTrinidad andTobago
(grouped review)1,Nigeria1,Uruguay
Reviews ofLDCs: Burkina FasowithMaliandTogo (grouped review),
Guinea, Solomon Islands
1Rescheduled from 1997 programmeWORLD TRADE WT/TPR/41/Corr.1
15December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5498)
Trade Policy Review Body
REPORT OFTHE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY FOR 1997
Corrigendum
Please notethefollowing corrections tobemade todocument WT/TPR/41:
1. Paragraph 5,line1:thefigure "87"should read"88"
2. Paragraph 8,line2:"fifteen" should read"thirteen"
line3:"five" should read"three"
3. Paragraph 15,firstsentence should readasfollows:
"Upto1997, theTPRM hascovered fourleastdeveloped countries (LDCs); afurther six
LDCs aretobereviewed in1998".
4. Annex I:insert thefigure (2)afterChile incolumn 4.SECTION IV
COUNCIL FOR TRADE INGOODSWORLD TRADE G/L/213
9December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5407)
Council forTrade inGoods
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COUNCIL FOR TRADE INGOODS
Inaccordancewiththe"ProceduresforanAnnualOverviewofWTOActivitiesandforReporting
under theWTO" (WT/L/105), theCouncil forTrade inGoods istoreport "inNovember eachyear
totheGeneral Council ontheactivities intheCouncil aswellasinthesubsidiary bodies". Thereports
aretobe"factual innature, containing anindication ofactions anddecisions taken, withcrossreferences
toreports ofsubordinate bodies andcould follow themodel oftheGATT 1947 Council reports to
theCONTRACTING PARTIES".
Since thelastannual report, theCouncil forTrade inGoods meton29November 1996,
27January,12February,11March,14April,11June,14and21July,6,16and20October,7,13and
19November and8December 1997. Theminutes ofthese meetings arecontained indocuments
G/C/M/16 to28.
Thefollowing subject matters which wereraised and/or acted uponintheCouncil areincluded
inthereport:
Page
1. Chairperson oftheCommittee onAgriculture ...................... 4
2. Election ofChairperson fortheCouncil forTrade inGoods ............. 4
3. Appointment ofOfficers forthesubsidiary bodies oftheCouncil .......... 4
4. Chairperson oftheWorking Party onState Trading Enterprises ........... 4
5. Observer status forInternational Intergovernmental Organizations .......... 4
6. Rules ofprocedure oftheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary
Measures ............................................. 5
7. Recommendations from theWorking Group onNotification Obligations
andProcedures (Paragraphs 65and76ofG/L/112) ................... 5
(a) GATT 1947 CONTRACTING PARTIES Resolution onLiquidation
ofStrategic Stocks (BISD 3S/51) ......................... 5
(b) Preparation ofgeneral guidelines forthebodies under the
Council 'spurview, providing fortheregular review of
questionnaires andformats andofthesituation asregards
compliance withnotification obligations .................... 5G/L/213
Page 2
8. Status ofnotifications under theprovisions oftheAgreements in
Annex 1AoftheWTO Agreement ............................. 5
9. Decision onEstablishment ofConsolidated Loose-Leaf Schedules .......... 5
10. Decision ontheAdPersonam Status ofTMB members ................ 5
11. Decision onSupply ofInformation totheIntegrated DataBasefor
Personal Computers ...................................... 6
12. Draft Agreement between theWTO andtheOffice International
desEpizooties (OIE) ..................................... 6
13. Implementation oftheMinisterial Declaration onTrade in
Information Technology Products ............................. 6
14. Trade Facilitation (paragraph 21oftheSingapore Ministerial
Declaration (WT/MIN(96)Dec) ............................... 6
15. Periodic Reports oftheCommittee onMarket Access ................. 7
16. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement ................... 7
(a) Harmonized System -Requests forextensions of
waivers from Bangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua
andSriLanka ..................................... 7
(b) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX ................... 8
(c) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII ................. 8
(d) Decision ontheIntroduction ofHarmonized System
(HS)changes intoWTO schedules oftariff concessions
on1January 1996 -Extension ofthetime-limit ................ 8
(e) Hungary -Agricultural Export Subsidies .................... 8
(f) France -Trading Arrangements withMorocco ................. 9
17. HS96 Changes andArticle IIofGATT 1994 -Rectifications
andModifications toSchedules ofTariff Concessions and
theirCertification ........................................ 9
18. Major review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement on
Textiles andClothing (ATC) during thefirststage oftheintegration
process pursuant toparagraph 11ofArticle 8oftheATC ............... 9
19. Customs Unions andFree-Trade Areas: regional agreements ............ 11
(a) FreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment
ofCanada andtheGovernment oftheState ofIsrael ........ 11
(b) FreeTrade Agreement between Slovenia andEstonia ........ 11
(c) Notification ofFreeTrade Agreements between the
Czech Republic andtheSlovak Republic ontheoneside
andBulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania andtheState
ofIsrael ontheother ............................ 11G/L//213
Page 3
(d) Agreement between European Community andthe
Faroe Islands (Government ofDenmark) ............... 11
(e) Free-Trade Agreement between theCzech Republic and
theRepublic ofBulgaria .......................... 11
(f) Free-Trade Agreement between theSlovak Republic and
theRepublic ofBulgaria ......................... 11
(g) Israel-Turkey FreeTrade Area Agreement .............. 12
(h) Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on
Trade andCo-operation between theEuropean Community
andthePalestine Liberation Organization forthebenefit
ofthePalestinian Authority oftheWest Bank ............ 12
(i) FreeTrade Agreement between Canada andChile ......... 12
(j) FreeTrade Agreement between Romania andthe
Republic ofMoldova ........................... 12
(k) Interim Agreement between theEuropean Communities
andtheRepublic ofSlovenia ....................... 12
(l) FreeTrade Agreement between theRepublic ofSlovenia
andtheRepublic ofBulgaria ....................... 12
(m) FreeTrade Agreement between theCzech Republic
andtheRepublic ofLatvia ........................ 12
(n) FreeTrade Agreement between theCzech Republic
andtheRepublic ofLithuania ...................... 13
(o) FreeTrade Agreements between theSlovak Republic onthe
onesideandtheRepublics ofLatvia andLithuania
ontheother ................................. 13
20. Issues raised under "other business" concerning Members 'trade practices .... 13
(a) Korea -Tariff Measures byEcuador against certain suppliers ....... 13
(b) EC-Korea 's"Frugality Campaign" ....................... 13
(c) United States -USRequest forConsultations concerning
Restrictive Business Practices intheJapanese Photographic
FilmandPaper Market ............................... 13
(d) United States -Brazil Import Financing Restrictions ............. 13
(e) Korea -Price Range orRange ofValue System applied
byArgentina ..................................... 13
(f) Korea -USidentification ofKorea 's"barriers" toimported
automobiles asaPriority Foreign Country Practice .............. 14
(g) United States -Mercosur Common External Tariff .............. 14
21. Consideration ofannual reports ofsubsidiary bodies ofthe
Council forTrade inGoods ................................. 14
22. Adoption oftheannual report oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods
totheGeneral Council ..................................... 14G/L/213
Page 4
1. Chairperson oftheCommittee onAgriculture (G/C/M/16)
1.1 Atitsmeeting of29November 1996, theCouncil took note oftheresignation of
Ambassador D.Tulalamba asChairman oftheCommittee onAgriculture, andoftheelection of
Mrs. Tantraporn asinterim Chairperson ofthatCommittee toperform thefunctions oftheChairperson,
pending theelection ofanewChairperson for1997.
2. Election ofChairperson fortheCouncil forTrade inGoods (G/C/M/17)
2.1 Atitsresumed meeting of12February 1997, theCouncil elected Ambassador Johannessen
(Norway) asitsChairman for1997.
3. Appointment ofOfficers forthesubsidiary bodies oftheCouncil (G/C/M/17)
3.1 Atitsresumed meeting of12February 1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheconsensus onthe
following persons nominated forelection asChairpersons ofitssubsidiary bodies: Committee on
Agriculture: H.E. Mr.Nestor Osorio Londoño (Colombia); Committee onAnti-Dumping Practices:
Mr.Kajit Sukhum (Thailand); Committee onCustoms Valuation: Mr.Tullio DiPietro (Italy);
Committee onImport Licensing Procedures: Mr.Tomasz Jodko (Poland); Committee onMarket
Access: Mr.Moha Ouali Tagma (Morocco); Committee onRules ofOrigin: Mrs. Lourdes A.Berrig
(Philippines); Committee onSafeguards: Mr.Seiichi Nagatsuka (Japan); Committee onSubsidies
andCountervailing Measures: Mr.Gilles Gauthier (Canada); Committee onTechnical Barriers to
Trade(TBT):Mr.TimothyH.M.Tong(HongKong,China);CommitteeonTrade-RelatedInvestment
Measures: Mr.Javier Paulinich (Peru). TheCouncil appointed thefollowing nominated persons
asChairpersons: Mr.AlexThiermann (United States) fortheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary
Measures; MsVibeke Roosen (Denmark) fortheWorking Party onState Trading Enterprises;
Mr.Chiedu Osakwe (Nigeria) fortheWorking Party onPreshipment Inspection.
4. Chairperson oftheWorking Party onState Trading Enterprises (G/C/M/19 and20)
4.1 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil wasinformed thattheChairperson oftheWorking
Party would beunable tocontinue asChairperson ofthatbody. TheCouncil Chairman hadinitiated
consultations concerning anewChairperson, andinthemeantime toallow continuation ofwork the
Council agreed thattheWorking Party's1996Chairman should continue tochairtheinformal meetings
oftheWorking Party untilanewChairperson wasappointed bytheCouncil.
4.2 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil appointed Mr.Jacques Teyssier D'Orfeuil (France)
asChairman oftheWorking Party onState-Trading Enterprises.
5. Observer status forInternational Intergovernmental Organizations (G/C/M/17 and18)
5.1 Atitsmeeting of27January 1997, theCouncil tooknotethatbyvirtue oftheAgreements
between theWTO andtheInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) andtheWorld Bank, observer status
hadbeen granted tothese organizations. TheCouncil alsogranted observer status toFood and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Textiles andClothing Bureau (ITCB), Organization
forEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD),UnitedNations(UN),UnitedNationsConference
onTrade andDevelopment (UNCTAD) andtheWorld Customs Organization (WCO). TheCouncil
agreed thatthese Organizations benotified onthebasis onwhich observer status wasbeing granted
andofthefactthattheWTO reserved theright toexpect reciprocal observer rights inthese
Organizations. Asconcerned theinternational intergovernmental organizations whose requests for
observer status werepending (category IIindocument G/L/140), itwasagreed thattheChairman should
holdconsultations onthose requests.G/L//213
Page 5
5.2 Atthatmeeting, theCouncil noted theChairman 'sunderstanding thatitwould beforthe
subsidiary bodies oftheCouncil todecide iftheyneeded aVice-Chairperson incases where theoption
existed, andfortherespective Chairperson toholdconsultations ifthatwasfound tobethecase.
5.3 Atitsmeeting of11March 1997, theCouncil agreed thattheChairman continue theseinformal
consultations andreport backtotheCouncil when thematter wassufficiently advanced totakedecisions.
6. RulesofprocedureoftheCommitteeonSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures(G/C/M/19and20)
6.1 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil considered therulesofprocedure oftheCommittee
onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures (G/SPS/W/48 andCorr.1), which weresubsequently circulated
indocument G/SPS/W/48/Rev.1, andapproved bytheCouncil atitsmeeting of11June1997.
7. Recommendations from theWorking Group onNotification Obligations andProcedures
(Paragraphs 65and76ofG/L/112)
(a) GATT 1947 CONTRACTING PARTIES Resolution onLiquidation ofStrategic Stocks
(G/C/M/18)
7.1 Atitsmeeting of11March 1997, theCouncil agreed tomaintain theResolution onLiquidation
ofStrategic Stocks (BISD 3S/51) which hadbeenreferred bytheWorking Group onNotification
Obligations andProcedures totheGoods Council (paragraph 65ofG/L/112) inorder todetermine
whether itwasredundant inthecurrent situation.
(b) Preparation ofgeneral guidelines forthebodies under theCouncil 'spurview, providing for
theregular review ofquestionnaires andformats andofthesituation asregards compliance
withnotification obligations (G/C/M/18)
7.2 After having considered therecommendation bytheWorking Group onNotification Obligations
andProcedures onthepreparation ofgeneral guidelines (paragraph 76ofG/L/112) atitsmeeting of
11March 1997, theCouncil agreed thattheSecretariat prepare forconsideration atafuture meeting,
anon-paper identifying elements which might beincluded ingeneral guidelines relating toquestionnaires
orformats fornotifications pertaining tothevarious Committees, andwhich could havetheeffect of
improving compliance withnotification obligations.
8. Status ofnotifications under theprovisions oftheAgreements inAnnex 1AoftheWTO
Agreement (G/C/M/22)
8.1 Atitsmeeting of21July1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheinformation provided indocument
G/L/112/Add.2concerningthestatusofnotificationsundertheprovisionsoftheAgreementsinAnnex1A
oftheWTO Agreement.
9. Decision onEstablishment ofConsolidated Loose-Leaf Schedules (G/C/M/16)
9.1 Atitsmeeting of29November 1996, theCouncil adopted theDecision onthe"Establishment
ofConsolidated Loose-Leaf Schedules" (G/C/W/63).
10. Decision ontheAdPersonam Status ofTMB members (G/C/M/17)
10.1 Atitsmeeting of27January 1997, theCouncil adopted theDecision onthe"AdPersonam
Status ofTMB members" (G/C/W/20/Rev.1).G/L/213
Page 6
11. Decision onSupply ofInformation totheIntegrated Data Base forPersonal Computers
(G/C/M/21)
11.1 Atitsmeeting 14July1997, theCouncil approved theDecision onthe"Supply ofInformation
totheIntegrated DataBaseforPersonal Computers" (G/C/W/82).
12. DraftAgreementbetweentheWTOandtheOfficeInternationaldesEpizooties(OIE)(G/C/M/22)
12.1 Atitsmeeting of21July1997, theCouncil approved thedraftAgreement between theWTO
andtheOffice International desEpizooties (OIE) (G/SPS/W/61), andagreed totransmit itforapproval
totheGeneral Council.
13. Implementation oftheMinisterial Declaration onTrade inInformation Technology Products
(G/C/M/19)
13.1 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthecommunications (G/L/159 and
169)forwarded bytheparticipants totheDeclaration onTrade inInformation Technology Products
(ITA).
14. Trade Facilitation (paragraph 21oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration) (WT/MIN(96)Dec)
(G/C/M/16, 17,18,20,22,23and28)
14.1 Atitsmeeting of29November 1996, theCouncil tooknoteofacommunication from the
European Communities on"Elements oftheWTO Programme onTrade Facilitation" (G/C/W/67).
14.2 Pursuant tothedirective byMinisters inparagraph 21oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration,
theCouncil, atitsmeeting of27January 1997, agreed thatfirstly theSecretariat should startan
information gathering exercise inrespect ofthework done orbeing done onthesubject oftrade
facilitation invarious organizations. Secondly, atitsnextformal meeting, theSecretariat would inform
theCouncil oftheorganizations from which information hadbeengathered untilthatpoint intime
aswellasareas oftrade facilitation inrespect ofwhich those organizations hadundertaken orwere
undertaking work. Thirdly, theSecretariat should present theresults oftheinformation gathering
exercise totheCouncil inMay1997.
14.3 Atitsmeeting of11March 1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheSecretariat document G/C/W/70
which contained preliminary information onthoseorganizations having undertaken orundertaking work
ontrade facilitation.
14.4 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil tooknoteofdocument G/C/W/80 which contained
acompilation bytheSecretariat ofthework already doneonthesubject oftrade facilitation inother
international organizations, including certain non-governmental organizations.
14.5 Atitsmeeting of21July1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheChairman 'sstatement thatoral
statements andwritten contributions bydelegations, aswellastheSecretariat document (G/C/W/80)
would provide agood basis fordiscussions attheCouncil 'snextmeeting tobuilding upaconsensus
onhowtheCouncil should handle thismatter.
14.6 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil took noteofcommunications from the
European Communities (G/C/W/85) andfromSwitzerland (G/C/W/92) onthesubject andagreed that
theChairman undertake informal consultations inorder todetermine thenextstepintheprocess.G/L//213
Page 7
14.7 Atthemeeting of19November andtheresumed meeting of8December 1997, theCouncil
agreed totheChairman 'sproposal tohaveaWTO Symposium onTrade Facilitation early in1998.
Theobjective ofthesymposium would betohelpidentify themainareas where traders faceobstacles
when moving goods across borders, andinthisrespect toprovide adirect interface between thepractical
level(traders) andthetradepolicy level(officials incapitals andinGeneva). Participants would involve
trade policy officials andtechnical experts from Members, aswellasrelevant intergovernmental
organizations, including UN/ECE, ITC, UNCTAD andtheWCO; inconsultation withdelegations
andtheInternational Chamber ofCommerce (ICC), theSecretariat would coordinate input fromthe
private sector andother nongovernmental organizations.
15. Periodic Reports oftheCommittee onMarket Access (G/C/M/19 and23)
15.1 Atitsmeetings of14April and6October 1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheoralreports
made bytheChairman oftheMarket Access Committee onthesituation withrespect torequests for
waiver extensions and/or waivers made inconnection withthetransposition orrenegotiation ofschedules
oftariff concessions and/or inconnection withtheintroduction ofharmonized system changes into
schedules oftariff concessions on1January 1996. TheCouncil alsotooknoteofthewritten reports
summarizing theactivities oftheCommittee in1997 (G/MA/57 and58).
16. Waivers under Article IXoftheWTO Agreement
(a) Harmonized System -Requests forextensions ofwaivers fromBangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala,
Nicaragua andSriLanka (G/C/M/19, 20,21,23and28)
16.1 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil considered requests byBangladesh (G/L/163),
Bolivia(G/L/161),Nicaragua(G/L/166)andSriLanka(G/L/164)foranextensionuntil31October1997
ofwaivers already granted inconnection withthetransposition oftheirschedules intotheHarmonized
System.
16.2 TheCouncil approved thetextsofthedraftdecisions onthewaiver extensions inG/C/W/74
(Bangladesh),G/C/W/72(Bolivia)andG/C/W/77(Nicaragua)andagreedtotransmitthemtotheGeneral
Council foradoption. TheCouncil agreed torevert toSriLanka 'srequest atitsnextmeeting inlight
ofNewZealand 'sstatement.
16.3 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil agreed torevert toSriLanka 'srequest forawaiver
extension atitsnextmeeting.
16.4 Atitsmeeting of14July1997, theCouncil approved thetextofthedraftdecision contained
indocument G/C/W/73/Rev.1 granting SriLanka awaiver extension until31October 1997, andagreed
totransmit ittotheGeneral Council foradoption.
16.5 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil considered requests byBangladesh (G/L/186),
Guatemala(G/L/185),Nicaragua(G/L/187)andSriLanka(G/L/188)foranextensionuntil30April1998
ofwaivers already granted inconnection withthetransposition oftheirschedules intotheHarmonized
System.
16.6 TheCouncil approved thetextsofthedraftdecisions onthewaiver extensions inG/C/W/89
(Bangladesh), G/C/W/87 (Nicaragua) andG/C/W/90 (SriLanka), andagreed totransmit themtothe
General Council foradoption. TheCouncil tooknotethatGuatemala nolonger needed torequest a
waiver extension having reached agreement with thetrading partner maintaining areservation.
NewZealand reserved itsposition onthefinaldecision onSriLanka 'srequest forawaiver extension.G/L/213
Page 8
(b) Senegal -Renegotiation ofSchedule XLIX (G/C/M/19)
16.7 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil considered arequest bySenegal (G/L/165) for
anextension, until31October 1997, ofthewaiver granted toitinconnection withtherenegotiation
ofitsSchedule. TheCouncil approved thetextofthedraftdecision (G/C/W/76) andagreed totransmit
ittotheGeneral Council foradoption. Atthesametime, theCouncil wasinformed thatSenegal might
notneedthewaiver extension ifagreement wasreached withatrading partner withwhom negotiations
were pending1.
(c) Zambia -Renegotiation ofSchedule LXXVIII (G/C/M/19 and23)
16.8 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil considered arequest byZambia (G/L/162) for
anextension, until31October 1997, ofthewaiver granted toitinconnection withtherenegotiation
ofitsSchedule. TheCouncil approved thetextofthedraftdecision (G/C/W/75), andagreed totransmit
ittotheGeneral Council foradoption.
16.9 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil considered arequest byZambia (G/L/189) for
anextension, until30April 1998, ofthewaiver granted toitinconnection withtherenegotiation of
itsSchedule. TheCouncil approved thetextofthedraftdecision (G/C/W/91), andagreed totransmit
ittotheGeneral Council foradoption.
(d) Decision ontheIntroduction ofHarmonized System (HS)Changes intoWTO Schedules of
Tariff Concessions on1January 1996 -Extension ofthetime-limit (G/C/M/19 and23)
16.10 Atitsmeetingof14April1997,theCouncilapprovedthetextofthedraftdecision(G/MA/W/12
andCorr.1) granting anextension ofindividual waivers toMembers listed intheannex tothatdocument
until31October 1997, andagreed totransmit ittotheGeneral Council foradoption. These waivers
hadbeenrequested bythose Members finding itnecessary toconsult ornegotiate under Article XXVIII
ofGATT 1994asaresult oftheHS96 changes introduced intheirschedules. TheCouncil alsotook
note oftheSwiss communication contained indocument G/C/W/79-WT/GC/W/56 identifying
Switzerland 'sconcerns onthequestion of"general reservations" and"delays inthetransposition of
schedules". TheCouncil agreed thattheChairman should holdconsultations ontheSwiss proposal2.
16.11 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil approved thetextofthedraft decision
(G/C/W/93/Rev.1) granting anextension oftheindividual waivers toMembers listed intheannex3
tothatdocument until30April 1998, andagreed totransmit ittotheGeneral Council foradoption.
(e) Hungary -Agricultural Export Subsidies (G/C/M/23)
16.12 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil considered Hungary 'srequest forawaiver
(G/L/183) fromitsobligations under paragraph 3ofArticle 3,under Article 8,andunder paragraph
2ofArticle 9oftheAgreement onAgriculture foraperiod ending on31December 2001. TheCouncil
approved thetextofthedraftdecision (G/C/W/86) granting thewaiver, andagreed totransmit itto
theGeneral Council foradoption subject toconsultations being carried outbetween Hungary andEgypt.
1Thewaiver extension wasnotrequired asSenegal reached agreement withthetrading partner concerned
beforetheGeneralCouncilmeetingwhenthefinaldecisionontherequestforwaiverextensionwastobeadopted.
2Seealsosection 17ofthisdocument.
3Cuba requested toberemoved from theannexed listfollowing theconclusion ofnegotiations withitstrading
partners.G/L//213
Page 9
f) France -Trading Arrangements withMorocco (G/C/M/28)
16.13 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil considered therequest forawaiver extension
from theEuropean Communities (G/L/196). Thiswaiver applied totheprovisions ofparagraph 1
ofArticle IoftheGATT totheextent necessary topermit France toapply duty-free tariff quotas to
anumber ofproducts originating inparts oftheterritory ofMorocco notcovered byparagraphs 2
and4ofArticle IofGATT 1994. TheCouncil approved thetextofthedraftdecision (G/C/W/96)
granting thiswaiver extension andagreed totransmit ittotheGeneral Council foradoption.
17. HS96 Changes andArticle IIofGATT 1994 -Rectifications andModifications toSchedules
ofTariff Concessions andtheirCertification (G/C/M/20, 22and23)
17.1 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil agreed thattheChairman continue hisconsultations
onapaper submitted bySwitzerland on"HS96 changes andArticle IIofGATT 1994" (WT/GC/W/56 -
G/C/W/79), andsubmit aproposal forasolution totheCouncil inthenearfuture.
17.2 Atitsmeeting of21July1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheoverview provided bytheChairman
ofthesituation asitstood withrespect tohisongoing informal consultations onthesubject of
rectifications andmodifications toschedules ofconcessions andtheircertification. TheCouncil agreed
thattheChairman carry oninformal consultations withaviewtoclarifying asmany legal, technical
andother matters before itsnextmeeting.
17.3 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthereport made bytheChairman
onthesituation andtheprogress made inthecontext ofinformal consultations onthesubject of
rectifications andmodifications toschedules ofconcessions andtheircertification. TheCouncil took
noteofastatement bytheChairman concerning theissue of"general reservations" andagreed that
theChairman should continue informal consultations. TheCouncil alsotooknoteoftheChairman 's
plantoaddress thelong-term elements ofthissubject ingreater depth inapaper hewould havecirculated
bytheSecretariat.
18. Major review oftheimplementation oftheAgreement onTextiles andClothing (ATC) during
thefirststage oftheintegration process pursuant toparagraph 11ofArticle 8oftheATC
(G/C/M/23, 24,25,26,27and28)
18.1 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil began itsmajor review oftheimplementation
oftheATC during thefirststage oftheintegration process pursuant toparagraph 11ofArticle 8of
theATC. TheCouncil tooknoteofthestatement made bytheChairman oftheTextiles Monitoring
Body (TMB) onbehalf ofthatbody, introducing thecomprehensive report oftheTMB (G/L/179)4
which hadbeenprepared inaccordance withArticle 8.11oftheATC inorder toassist theCouncil
initsmajor review. Therepresentative ofHong Kong, China, introduced anon-paper5,onelements
forconsideration inthereview. Anumber ofdelegations presented theiroverall views andperspective
onthereview process.
4TheSecretariathadalsocirculatedacompilationoftextilesandclothingtradestatisticsindocumentG/L/184,
setting outinformation onrecent trends inworld trade ofthese products, prepared attherequest oftheTMB,
asabackground paper.
5Subsequently circulated indocument G/C/W/95.G/L/213
Page 10
18.2 Atitsmeeting of16October 1997, theCouncil continued itsmajor review. Therepresentative
ofColombia, onbehalf ofWTO Members which arealsoITCB members, introduced anon-paper6
ofatechnical nature which analysed thedifferent integration programmes. Anumber ofdelegations
expressed theirviews withrespect totheprocess ofintegration ofproducts intoGATT 1994rulesand
disciplines.
18.3 Atitsmeeting of20October 1997, theCouncil continued itsmajor review. Therepresentative
ofColombia, onbehalf ofWTO Members which arealsoITCB members, introduced anon-paper7
concerning theapplication ofthetransitional safeguard mechanism inArticle 6oftheATC. Anumber
ofdelegations gavetheirviews ontheapplication ofthesafeguard mechanism inthefirstphase of
theATC.
18.4 Atitsmeeting of7November 1997, theCouncil continued itsmajor review. Therepresentative
ofColombia, onbehalf ofWTO members which arealsoITCB members, introduced anon-paper8
which assessed theapplication ofstrengthened GATT rulesanddisciplines. Anumber ofdelegations
expressed views ontradepolicy measures suchasanti-dumping actions and/or administrative formalities
andtheireffect onmarket access.
18.5 Atitsmeeting of13November 1997, theCouncil discussed otheraspects oftheimplementation
oftheATC. Some Members provided summaries andoverall comments andthere wasanexchange
ofviews onhowtheCouncil might conclude itsreview.
18.6 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil agreed totheChairman 'sproposal tohold
further informal consultations inorder toarrive atagenerally acceptable wayforconcluding thereview.
TheCouncil alsoagreed totheChairman 'sproposal tosuspend themeeting, andresume iton
4December 19979.
18.7 Atitsresumed meeting of8December 1997, theChairman reported thathehadheldaseries
ofinformal meetings withalargenumber ofdelegations toexamine theoutcome oftheformal meetings
withaviewtodeveloping abroadly acceptable summary ofthemain points raised inthediscussions
andasetofconclusions flowing fromthereview. However, inspiteofthelengthy consultations and
determined efforts bymany delegations, theviews ofMembers remained farapart ontheprogress
made intheATC implementation process inthefirststage. Itwas,therefore, notpossible toarrive
atsufficient common ground todevelop suchasummary ofdiscussions orconclusions thatwould attract
theconsensus ofMembers. Inthediscussions thatfollowed, thereweredivergent views astowhether
therequirement intheATC toconduct areview hadbeenmet. Accordingly, itwasdecided thatthis
outcome would beincluded intheCouncil 'sreport totheGeneral Council.
18.8 Asregards thecomposition oftheTextiles Monitoring Body, itwasnoted thattheGeneral
Council 'sDecision settheinitial period as1January 1995to31December 1997.10Accordingly, the
Chairman hadbeenconducting consultations withaviewtoestablishing thecomposition forthenext
period, beginning on1January 1998. Heinformed theCouncil thattheseconsultations werecontinuing
6Subsequently circulated indocument G/C/W/99.
7Subsequently circulated indocument G/C/W/100.
8Subsequently circulated indocument G/C/W/101.
9Astheconsultations required additional time, themeeting wasresumed onlyon8December 1997.
10Document WT/L/26.G/L//213
Page 11
andwere nearing conclusion. TheCouncil agreed thattheChairman would report ontheoutcome
ofthese consultations directly totheGeneral Council.
18.9 Dr.C.Kim,DeputyDirector-General,informedtheCouncilthathewasconductingconsultations
onthechairmanship oftheTMB onbehalf oftheDirector-General. These consultations werecontinuing
andwere close toconclusion. TheGeneral Council would beinformed oftheoutcome.
19. Customs Unions andFree-Trade Areas: regional agreements
(a) FreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofCanada andtheGovernment oftheState
ofIsrael (G/C/M/17)
19.1 Atitsmeeting of27January 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG31/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG31/2).
(b) FreeTrade Agreement between Slovenia andEstonia (G/C/M/18)
19.2 Atitsmeeting of11March 1997, TheCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG37/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG37/2).
(c) Notification ofFreeTrade Agreements between theCzech Republic andtheSlovak Republic
ontheonesideandBulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania andtheState ofIsrael ontheother
(G/C/M/19)
19.3 Atitsmeeting of14April 1997, theCouncil tooknoteoftheinformation provided onthese
Agreements bytherepresentative oftheCzech Republic speaking alsoonbehalf oftheother parties
totheAgreements.
(d) Agreement between European Community andtheFaroe Islands (Government ofDenmark)
(G/C/M/20)
19.4 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG21/N/2)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG21/1/Rev.1).
(e) Free-Trade Agreement between theCzech Republic andtheRepublic ofBulgaria (G/C/M/20)
19.5 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG41/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG41/1).
(f) Free-Trade Agreement between theSlovak Republic andtheRepublic ofBulgaria (G/C/M/20)
19.6 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG42/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG42/1).G/L/213
Page 12
(g) Israel-Turkey FreeTrade Area Agreement (G/C/M/20)
19.7 Atitsmeeting of11June1997, theCouncil wasinformed thatthenotification ontheIsrael-
Turkey FreeTrade AreaAgreement would besubmitted bytheparties totheAgreement inthenear
future.
(h) Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement onTrade andCo-operation between the
European Community andthePalestine Liberation Organization forthebenefit ofthePalestinian
Authority oftheWest Bank (G/C/M/22)
19.8 Atitsmeeting of21July1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG43/N/1 and
Corr.1) fromtheparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which
theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG43/1). The
representative ofIsrael expressed reservations withthesubstance oftheAgreement itself aswellas
itsinclusion intheCouncil 'sagenda. Therepresentative ofEgypt stated thattherewasnoinconsistency
between thisinterim Agreement andobligations deriving from other Agreements.
(i) FreeTrade Agreement between Canada andChile (G/C/M/23)
19.9 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG38/N/1
andAdd.1) fromtheparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which
theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG38/1).
(j) FreeTrade Agreement between Romania andtheRepublic ofMoldova (G/C/M/23)
19.10 Atitsmeeting of6October 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification (WT/REG44/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG44/1 and2).
(k) InterimAgreementbetweentheEuropeanCommunitiesandtheRepublicofSlovenia(G/C/M/28)
19.11 Atitsmeetingof19November1997,theCounciltooknoteofthenotification(WT/REG32/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG32/1).
(l) Free Trade Agreement between theRepublic ofSlovenia andtheRepublic ofBulgaria
(G/C/M/28)
19.12 Atitsmeetingof19November1997,theCounciltooknoteofthenotification(WT/REG33/N/1)
from theparties totheAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference under which the
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement (WT/REG33/1).
(m) FreeTrade Agreement between theCzech Republic andtheRepublic ofLatvia (G/C/M/28)
19.13 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification made bythe
Czech Republic (WT/REG45/N/1) onthisAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference
under which theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement
(WT/REG45/1).G/L//213
Page 13
(n) FreeTrade Agreement between theCzech Republic andtheRepublic ofLithuania (G/C/M/28)
19.14 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthenotification made bythe
Czech Republic (WT/REG46/N/1) onthisAgreement. TheCouncil adopted theterms ofreference
under which theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements should examine thisAgreement
((WT/REG46/1).
(o) FreeTrade Agreements between theSlovak Republic ontheonesideandtheRepublics of
Latvia andLithuania ontheother (G/C/M/28)
19.15 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil wasinformed thatthetexts ofthese
Agreements hadbeennotified totheSecretariat.
20. Issues raised under "other business" concerning Members 'trade practices
(a) Korea -Tariff Measures byEcuador against certain suppliers (G/C/M/16)
20.1 AttheCouncil meeting of29November 1996, therepresentative ofKorea expressed concern
atthetariffincrease byEcuador onarange oftextile products imported fromKorea andotherMembers.
TheCouncil tooknoteofthisstatement andofthestatements made bytherepresentatives ofHong Kong,
China andEcuador.
(b) EC-Korea 's"Frugality Campaign" (G/C/M/18)
20.2 AttheCouncil meeting of11March 1997, therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities
expressed concern thatthe"frugality campaign" which hadbeenrunning inKorea since mid-1996 had
intensified. TheCouncil tooknoteofthisstatement andofthestatements made bytherepresentatives
oftheUnited States, India andKorea.
(c) United States -USRequest forConsultations concerning Restrictive Business Practices inthe
Japanese Photographic FilmandPaper Market (G/C/M/20)
20.3 AttheCouncil meeting of11June1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States urged Japan
toenterintoconsultations without further delay pursuant totheCONTRACTING PARTIES Decision
on"Restrictive Business Practices: Arrangements forConsultations" (BISD 9S/38). TheCouncil took
noteofthisstatement andofthestatements made bytherepresentatives oftheEuropean Communities
andJapan.
(d) United States -Brazil Import Financing Restrictions (G/C/M/20)
20.4 AttheCouncilmeetingof11June1997,therepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesexpressedconcern
atBrazil 'simport financing restrictions. TheCouncil tooknoteofthisstatement andofthestatements
made bytherepresentatives ofSwitzerland, theEuropean Communities andBrazil.
(e) Korea -Price Range orRange ofValue System applied byArgentina (G/C/M/20)
20.5 AttheCouncil meeting of11June1997, therepresentative ofKorea expressed concern atthe
"Price Range orRange ofValue System" which hadrecently beenintroduced byArgentina. TheCouncil
tooknoteofthisstatement andofthestatement made bytherepresentative ofArgentina.G/L/213
Page 14
(f) Korea -USidentification ofKorea 's"barriers" toimported automobiles asaPriority Foreign
Country Practice (G/C/M/23)
20.6 AttheCouncil meeting of6October 1997, therepresentative ofKorea expressed concern at
theUSGovernment 'sdecision toidentify Korea 's"barriers" toimported automobiles asaPriority
Foreign Country Practice under theso-called "super 301"procedures. TheCouncil tooknoteofthis
statement.
(g) United States -Mercosur Common External Tariff (G/C/M/28)
20.7 AttheCouncil meeting of19November 1997, therepresentative oftheUnited States expressed
concern atMercosur 'sreported intention toincrease itscommon external tariff by3percent. The
Council tooknoteofthisstatement andofthestatement made bytherepresentative ofUruguay.
21. Consideration ofannual reports ofsubsidiary bodies oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods
(G/C/M/28)
21.1 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthereports fromthefollowing
subsidiary bodies: Committees onAnti-Dumping Practices (G/L/204), Customs Valuation (G/L/205),
Import Licensing (G/L/203), Safeguards (G/L/200), Sanitary andPhytosantiary Measures (G/L/197),
SubsidiesandCountervailingMeasures(G/L/201),TechnicalBarrierstoTrade(G/L/207),Trade-Related
Investment Measures (G/L/193), theIndependent Entity (G/L/208), theTextiles Monitoring Body
(G/L/206), theWorking Party onState Trading Enterprises (G/L/198).
21.2 Atitsresumed meeting of8December 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthereports from the
Committees onAgriculture (G/L/211), Market Access (G/L/215), Rules ofOrigin (G/L/210), the
Committee ofParticipants ontheExpansion ofTrade inInformation Technology Products (G/L/216).
TheCouncil alsotooknoteofthereport oftheWorking Party onPreshipment Inspection (G/L/214),
approvedtherecommendationscontainedtherein,andagreedtoforwardthereporttotheGeneralCouncil
foradoption.
22. Adoption oftheannual report oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods totheGeneral Council
(G/C/M/28)
22.1 Atitsmeeting of19November 1997, theCouncil examined theannual report (1997) ofthe
Council forTrade inGoods (G/C/W/98) totheGeneral Council, andagreed toconsider itforadoption
atitsresumed meeting of8December 1997when anupdated version ofthereport11would beavailable
reflecting thework done bytheCouncil atits7and13November 1997 meetings, andthepresent
meeting.
22.2 Atitsresumed meeting of8December 1997, theCouncil adopted theannual report contained
indocument G/C/W/98/Rev.1 subject totheupdating thatneeded tobedoneinorder toreflect the
work oftheCouncil atthatmeeting12.
11Circulated indocument G/C/W/98/Rev.1.
12Subsequently circulated indocument G/L/213.WORLD TRADE G/L/213/Corr.11
9January 1998
ORGANIZATION(98-0060)
Council forTrade inGoods
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COUNCIL FOR TRADE INGOODS
Corrigendum
Paragraph 20.3, thirdline,"(BISD 9S/38)" should read"(BISD 9S/28)".
1English onlySECTION V
COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICESWORLD TRADE S/C/5
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5310)
Council forTrade inServices
COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICES
Report totheGeneral Council onActivities During 1997
1. TheCouncil forTrade inServices hasheldfivemeetings during 1997. Reports onthemeetings
arecontainedindocumentsS/C/M/17-21andshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththisreport.TheCouncil
addressed thefollowing matters:
I. THE IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE WORK PROGRAMME APPROVED ATTHE
SINGAPORE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
2. AttheMinisterial conference inSingapore, Ministers endorsed therecommendations ofthe
Council forTrade inServices concerning itsfuture work. Therecommendations contained threeitems:
(i)exchange ofinformation programme; (ii)Article VI:4work programme; and(iii)guidelines for
thefuture negotiations mandated byArticle XIXoftheGATS.
(i) Exchange ofInformation Programme
3. Ministers agreed thattheCouncil forTrade inServices should develop aninformation exchange
programme, aspartoftherequisite work tofacilitate thenegotiation ofprogressive liberalization of
trade inservices asmandated inArticle XIXoftheGATS. Indiscussing thisitemitwasnoted that
theexchange ofinformation might takeplace atthreelevels. Thefirstlevelwould involve anexchange
ofthesources ofinformation onservices regulations available atthenational level, which might include
thedesignation ofagencies, regulatory authorities orother sources capable ofproviding thistypeof
information. Atthesecond level, Members might wishtoexchange information bilaterally, possibly
intheform ofquestions andanswers which could thenbecirculated bytheSecretariat ifsoagreed.
Thethirdlevelwould involve amore comprehensive exchange ofinformation atthemultilateral level
which could bebased onastandardized format.
4. TheCouncil agreed tomake useofinformation already gathered bytheSecretariat aswell
asinformation available inother international organizations, inorder toavoid duplication ofefforts.
Regarding thecoverage oftheexchange ofinformation programme, some delegations suggested that
itshould becomprehensive withnoexclusion ofservices sectors. Other delegations, while theyagreed
thatinprinciple nosector should beexcluded, noted thatitmight bedesirable toconcentrate onthose
sectors which were more likely candidates forliberalization inthenextround ofnegotiations.
5. Atitsmeeting of25July1997 theCouncil requested theSecretariat toprepare twopapers
on"Economic Effects ofServices Liberalization" andon"AReview ofStatistics onTrade Flows in
Services", which would constitute thebasis forfurther work ontheexchange ofinformation.S/C/5
Page 2
(ii) Article VI:4Work Programme
6. TheCouncil iscalled upon toexamine, asappropriate, under paragraph 4ofArticle VIof
theGATS, measures relating toqualification requirements andprocedures, technical standards, and
licensing requirements. Discussions intheCouncil revealed aclear preference onthepartofmost
delegations tostartwork onthisitemaftertheconclusion ofthedevelopment ofmultilateral disciplines
intheaccountancy sector intheWorking Party inProfessional Services. Several delegations took
theview thattheresults ofthatwork would provide valuable guidance forfuture work under
Article VI:4.
(iii) Guidelines andProcedures forFuture Negotiations
7. TheCouncil iscalled upon tobegin, atanappropriate time, theconsideration ofguidelines
andprocedures forfuture negotiations mandated under Article XIXoftheGATS. Most delegations
agreed that,although itwould benecessary toundertake work inthisarea, itwasstillpremature to
startsuchwork atthisstage. Itwasnoted thatthere wasarelationship between theexchange of
information programme andtheguidelines andprocedures fornegotiations. Several delegations took
theviewthatwork ontheguidelines should follow theexchange ofinformation exercise which would
provide thenecessary background.
II. CONCLUSION OFTHE NEGOTIATIONS ONBASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS
8. Atitsmeeting of5March 1997 theCouncil tooknoteoftheReport oftheGroup onBasic
Telecommunications, contained indocument S/GBT/4 andofitsattachments: aNotebytheChairman
concerning thescheduling ofbasic telecommunications services commitments, another Note bythe
Chairman concerning market access limitations onspectrum availability andaListoftheSchedules
ofCommitments andLists ofMFN Exemptions which would beannexed totheFourth Protocol to
theGATS. Atitsmeeting of15April, following anexercise oftechnical verification, theCouncil
tooknoteoftheSchedules contained intheCompilation dated 11April 1997, theSchedules ofthe
European Communities (inthethreelanguages), theSchedule ofColombia, theSchedule ofDominica
andtheSchedule andMFN Exemption ListofAntigua andBarbuda, asthefinal results ofthe
negotiations onbasic telecommunications.
III. NOTIFICATIONS MADE TOTHE COUNCIL PURSUANT TOGATS PROVISIONS
9. Atitsmeeting of5March 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthefollowing Notifications:
(i) Notifications pursuant toArticle III:3oftheGATS concerning modifications toservices
regulations insectors where specific commitments hadbeenundertaken:
Czech Republic S/C/N/39
Liechtenstein S/C/N/40
Liechtenstein S/C/N/41
Liechtenstein S/C/N/42
Federal Republic ofGermany S/C/N/48
Federal Republic ofGermany S/C/N/49
Federal Republic ofGermany S/C/N/50S/C/5
Page 3
(ii) Notifications pursuant toArticle V(bis)oftheGATS concerning labour market
integration agreements:
Denmark S/C/N/34
Iceland S/C/N/35
Norway S/C/N/36
Sweden S/C/N/37
Finland S/C/N/38
(iii) Notifications pursuant toArticle VII:4 oftheGATS concerning recognition measures
andagreements orarrangements:
Switzerland S/C/N/31
Switzerland S/C/N/32
Switzerland S/C/N/33
United States ofAmerica S/C/N/51
United States ofAmerica S/C/N/52
United States ofAmerica S/C/N/53
10. Atitsmeeting of26November 1997, theCouncil tooknoteofthefollowing Notifications
pursuant toArticle V(7)concerning Economic Integration Agreements:
European Communities andtheir
Member States andBulgaria S/C/N/55
Canada andChile S/C/N/65
Australia andNewZealand S/C/N/66
IV. DEADLINE FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS ONFINANCIAL SERVICES
11. Atitsmeeting of29April 1997theCommittee onTrade inFinancial Services recommended
thattheCouncil adopt aDecision toconclude thefinancial services negotiations on12December 1997
instead of30December 1997. Atitsmeeting of29MaytheCouncil adopted theDecision, which
iscontained indocument S/L/39.
V. GUIDELINES FOR MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS INACCOUNTANCY
12. Atitsmeeting of15May1997, theWorking Party onProfessional Services recommended
thattheCouncil approve Guidelines fortheRecognition ofQualifications intheaccountancy sector
ascontained indocument S/WPPS/W/12/Rev.1. Atitsmeeting of29MaytheCouncil approved the
Guidelines asrecommended bytheWorking Party inaDecision contained indocument S/L/38.
VI. EXTENSION OFTHE DEADLINE FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS ONEMERGENCY
SAFEGUARD MEASURES
13. Upon recommendation fromtheChairperson oftheWorking Party onGATS Rules, theCouncil
adopted on26November 1997 aDecision toextend thenegotiations onthequestion ofemergency
safeguard measures until30June1999. TheDecision iscontained indocument S/L/43.S/C/5
Page 4
VII. WORK OFSUBSIDIARY BODIES
14. TheCouncil tooknoteoftheReports ofthesubsidiary bodies. They areannexed tothisreport
asfollows:
Annex I Report oftheCommittee onFinancial Services (S/FIN/3)
Annex II Report oftheCommittee onSpecific Commitments (S/CSC/2)
Annex III Report oftheWorking Party onGATS Rules (S/WPGR/2)
Annex IV Report oftheWorking Party onProfessional Services (S/WPPS/2)S/C/5
Page 5
ANNEX I
WORLD TRADE S/FIN/3
17November 1997
ORGANIZATION
(97-5083)
Committee onTrade inFinancial Services
REPORT OFTHE COMMITTEE ONTRADE INFINANCIAL SERVICES
TOTHE COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICES
I. Activities oftheCommittee in1997
1. TheCommittee onTrade inFinancial Services heldseven formal meetings intheperiod from
April toNovember 1997, including onemeeting atsenior levelon12November, based onanindicative
timetable agreed atitsmeeting on10April 1997. More meetings areexpected totakeplace towards
thedeadline forthenegotiations which is12December 1997. Theactivities oftheCommittee in1997
focused ontheresumed financial services negotiations withtheaimofachieving asuccessful conclusion.
TherewerealsoreportsfromMembersofrecentdevelopmentsinfinancialservicestrade,anddiscussions
ontechnical issues regarding thescheduling ofcommitments infinancial services.
2. Indiscussion oftheprogress ofthenegotiations onfinancial services, Members confirmed
theircommitment toachieve asuccessful conclusion ofthenegotiations intheagreed timeframe, in
pursuit oftheobjectives andprinciples laiddown intheMinisterial Declaration inSingapore of
13December 1996. Ateachmeeting views wereexchanged onprogress inbilateral meetings. Atotal
of32offers representing 46Members hadbeensubmitted asof14November 1997.
3. TheCommittee alsodiscussed procedural issues regarding themodification andentryintoforce
oftheschedules onthebasis ofanotebytheSecretariat (S/FIN/W/11 of1May1997), andadopted
thetextsofaprotocol andanaccompanying decision. TheCommittee alsorecommended totheCouncil
forTrade inServices thatitadopt arelated procedural decision.
4. Concerning theexchange ofinformation onrecent developments infinancial services trade,
many Members reported ontheirrecent liberalization measures. These developments werewelcomed,
andMembers wereencouraged toreport anyrelated developments totheCommittee fortransparency
purposes.
5. With regard totheconsideration oftechnical issues inthescheduling offinancial services
commitments, theCommittee undertook informal consultations onthedistinction between Modes 1
and2infinancial services. TheCommittee tooknoteoftheresult oftheconsultations, asreported
inaninformal notebytheSecretariat dated 3July1997 (JobNumber 3706).S/C/5
Page 6
ANNEX II
WORLD TRADE S/CSC/2
26November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5206)
Committee onSpecific Commitments
REPORT OFTHE COMMITTEE ONSPECIFIC COMMITMENTS
TOTHE COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICES
1. TheCommittee onSpecific Commitments hasheldtwoformal meetings in1997. Informal
consultations onthefinalization oftheprocedures fortheimplementation ofGATS Article XXI
(Modification ofSchedules) havealsobeenconducted bytheChairman oftheCommittee, withaview
totheircompletion before theendof1997. Theformal discussions oftheCommittee focused onthree
items: classification issues, theinstitution ofasystem ofelectronically consolidated andupdated
schedules andthepossible revision ofthescheduling guidelines.
2. Asfarasclassification issues areconcerned theactivities oftheCommittee were threefold.
FirsttheCommittee began examining thestructure oftheongoing revision oftheCentral Products
Classification, which isthenomenclature established bytheUNStatistical Commission, nomenclature
inorder toappreciate itspossible relevance foritsfuture work. TheSecretariat produced detailed
structural andqualitative studies ofthechanges brought about bytherevised CPCinanumber ofservice
sectors, andtheCommittee hasbegun toexamine these studies. Secondly theCommittee considered
examples ofsectors inwhich adhocsystems ofclassification created specially bytheMembers ofthe
GATS havebeenused, suchasmaritime services andbasictelecommunications. Thirdly theCommittee
began discussion ofthequestion ofthedefinition andtreatment ofnewservices.
3. TheCommitteeapprovedinprincipletheestablishmentofasystemofelectronicallyconsolidated
andupdated schedules ofcommitments. Itwasagreed thatthese electronic schedules would nothave
legalstatus, since theirformat would differ from thetreaty copies, though theirsubstantive content
would bethesame. TheCommittee alsoconsidered thecalendar, budget, format, circulation, prices
andverification procedure applicable tothisproject .
4. TheCommittee alsoconsidered thepossible needtoreview thescheduling guidelines. The
Chairman invited delegations tocome forward withissues andquestions theymight wishtoraisein
thisregard.S/C/5
Page 7
ANNEX III
WORLD TRADE S/WPGR/2
26November 1997
ORGANIZATION (97-5218)
Working Party onGATS Rules
ACTIVITIES OFTHE WORKING PARTY ONGATS RULES
Report totheCouncil forTrade inServices
TheWorking Party onGATS Rules heldsixformal meetings in1997. Ineachmeeting, the
Working Party considered allthree negotiating mandates: emergency safeguard measures under
Article X,government procurement under Article XIIIandsubsidies under Article XV.
Negotiations onemergency safeguard measures under Article XoftheGATS
Differing views havebeenexpressed byMembers withregard tothedesirability ofdeveloping
anemergency safeguard mechanism under theGATS. Substantive discussions arecontinuing onthe
subject without prejudging theposition ofanydelegation inrespect ofthedesirability, feasibility or
form ofanypossible emergency safeguard mechanism. Several Members responded onavoluntary
basistoaseries ofwritten questions onemergency safeguard measures (contained inS/WPGR/W/15).
OthersubmissionsonthesubjectofsafeguardswerealsoreceivedfromMembersduring1997(circulated
asdocuments S/WPGR/W/17, 18,19,22and23).
Inthelastthree meetings, theWorking Party hasfocused onfourkeyquestions identified by
theChairperson inaninformal note(dated 3June1997): (i)Onwhose behalf would emergency
safeguard action betaken? (ii)Inwhatcircumstances would emergency safeguard action betaken and
what would bethepurpose ofsuchaction? (iii)What approach should beadopted inrespect of
injury/adverse effects, andtherelevant causal linkbetween injury/adverse effects andcommitments
under theGATS? (iv)What measures would betaken under theemergency safeguard mechanism?
Aresome measures deemed more suitable thanothers? Attherequest ofMembers, theSecretariat
prepared anotewhich focused onthesecond question, containing hypothetical examples ofsituations
inwhich emergency safeguard action maybetaken (circulated asS/WPGR/W/24).
Since Members recognized thatthere stillremained many points tobeconsidered inorder to
conclude thisnegotiation, theydecided topropose totheCouncil forTrade inServices toextend the
application ofthefirstsentence ofparagraph 1andparagraph 2ofArticle XuntiltheendofJune1999,
notwithstanding thesecond sentence ofparagraph 1andparagraph 3ofArticle X.
Negotiations ongovernment procurement under Article XIIIofGATS
Progress wasmade intheinformation gathering exercise onnational procurement regimes.
Thetwenty-one responses received sofartothequestionnaire onnational procurement regimes were
circulated asaddenda todocument S/WPGR/W/11. TheSecretariat prepared asynthesis ofthefirst
nineteenresponsestothequestionnaire(issuedasdocumentS/WPGR/W/20).Theinformationgathering
exercise hasprovided abasis fornegotiations ondisciplines. Anindicative tabulation relating
questionnaire responses topossible elements ofmultilateral disciplines waspresented inaChair'snote
./.S/C/5
Page 8
(dated 21February 1997) andhasformed thebasisforthecommencement ofastructured consideration
ofthese elements. Theneed tocoordinate work withtheWorking Group onTransparency in
Government Procurement wasemphasized byseveral delegations.
Negotiations onsubsidies under Article XVofGATS
Atitsmeeting of23January 1997, theWorking Party approved aquestionnaire tofacilitate
theinformation exchange, mandated byArticle XV,onsubsidies related totrade inservices. Two
responses tothequestionnaire havebeenreceived sofar(circulated asdocuments S/WPGR/W/16/Add.1
andAdd.2). Some delegations alsoexpressed theneedtocontinue thetechnical analysis ofsubsidies
related totrade inservices.S/C/5
Page 9
ANNEX IV
WORLD TRADE S/WPPS/2
26November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5186)
Original: English Working Party onProfessional Services
REPORT OFTHE WORKING PARTY ONPROFESSIONAL SERVICES
TOTHE COUNCIL FOR TRADE INSERVICES
1. TheWPPS heldsixformal, andseveral informal, meetings intheperiod March toend-October
1997. Another formal meeting isscheduled for15and16December. Discussions focused ontwo
mainitems: establishment oftheGuidelines forMutual Recognition Arrangements intheAccountancy
Sector ;andthedevelopment ofmultilateral disciplines ondomestic regulation intheaccountancy sector.
(a) Establishment ofnon-binding guidelines formutual recognition agreements orarrangements
intheaccountancy sector
2. TheWorking Party completed thedevelopment ofnon-binding guidelines forthenegotiation
ofmutual recognition agreements orarrangements, pursuant totheDecision onProfessional Services.
TheGuidelines forMutual Recognition Agreements orArrangements intheAccountancy Sector were
transmitted totheCouncil forTrade inServices forapproval asdocument S/WPPS/W/12/Rev.1.
(b) Development ofmultilateral disciplines ondomestic regulation intheaccountancy sector
3. Asrequested bytheWorking Party, theSecretariat prepared asynthesis ofresponses tothe
questionnaire onregulatory measures intheaccountancy sector (S/WPPS/W/11). Thiswasfollowed
bythesubmissionofproposeddisciplinesbyseveralMembers(S/WPPS/W/15-19),aswellascomments.
Member 'sproposals wereconsolidated bytheSecretariat inaninformal note, entitled Disciplines on
Domestic Regulation intheAccountancy Sector .Following discussions andcomments byMembers,
theSecretariat wasasked toprepare several further revisions oftheinformal note. Work iswell
advanced, inaccordance withparagraph 17oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration.
4. AttheWPPS meeting of24March, arepresentative oftheOECD presented theresults ofthe
Third Workshop onProfessional Services ,heldinFebruary 1997. Twoletters ondisciplines ondomestic
regulation intheaccountancy sector werereceived from theInternational Federation ofAccountants
(IFAC) andcirculated toMembers.SECTION VI
COUNCIL FOR TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (TRIPS)WORLD TRADE IP/C/12
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5250)
Council forTrade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights
ANNUAL REPORT (1997) OFTHE COUNCIL FOR TRIPS
I. GENERAL
1. Since theperiod covered byitslastreport1,theCouncil forTRIPS hasheldsixformal meetings,
on11-15 November 1996 andon27February, 26-30 May, 15July, 19September and
17-21 November 1997. Theminutes ofthese meetings aretobefound indocuments IP/C/M/11-16.2
2. Thefirsttwoofthemeetings referred toabove werechaired byAmbassador Wade Armstrong
(New Zealand). Theremainder were chaired byAmbassador Carmen LuzGuarda (Chile).
3. Meetings oftheCouncil wereopentoallWTO Members. Inaddition, governments observers
toWTO bodies wereinvited. TheCouncil, atitsmeeting of27February 1997, noted thattheGeneral
Council, atitsmeeting of7February 1997, hadgranted totheIMFandtheWorld Bankobserver status
intheGeneral Council andother WTO bodies asprovided forintheagreements between theWTO
andthese twoinstitutions. Inaddition, itdecided togrant regular observer status totheother
organizations thattheCouncil hadinvited toitsmeetings in1995and1996onanadhocbasis. Those
organizations aretheFAO, theOECD, UPOV (International Union fortheProtection ofNewVarieties
ofPlants), theUnited Nations, UNCTAD, theWCO andWIPO. Thedecision wasmade onthebasis
thattherewouldbereciprocitywithrespecttoproceedings,documentsandotheraspectsofobservership.
Decisions onrequests forobserver status fromtheCooperation Council oftheArabStates oftheGulf,
EFTA (European FreeTrade Association), theOAS(Organization ofAmerican States), theOIV(Office
International delaVigne etduVin), theOrganization oftheIslamic Conference, SELA (Latin American
Economic System) andSIECA (Permanent Secretariat oftheGeneral Treaty forCentral American
Economic Integration) arepending.
II. NOTIFICATIONS AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
(i) Article 63.2
4. Thenotification procedures, adopted bytheCouncil atitsmeeting inNovember 1995, require
that,asofthetimethataMember isobliged tostartapplying aprovision oftheTRIPS Agreement,
thecorresponding lawsandregulations shallbenotified without delay (IP/C/2). Todate,31Members
havemade suchnotifications under Article 63.2withrespect toallormost oftheirimplementing
legislation relating toallprovisions oftheAgreement. Tenother Members havenotified legislation
while indicating thatthisiswithout prejudice totheirtransition period under theprovisions ofArticle 65.
Notifications concerning theimplementation ofArticle 70.8and,insome cases, Article 70.9ofthe
1Document IP/C/8
2Document IP/C/M/16 tobeissuedIP/C/12
Page 2
TRIPS Agreement havebeenreceived from20Members; some ofthem indicate thatproduct patent
protectionforpharmaceuticaland/oragriculturalchemicalproductsisalreadyavailableintheirterritories.
Fournotifications relating specifically totheimplementation ofArticles 3,4and5oftheAgreement
havealsobeenreceived todate. Circulation ofnotifications under Article 63.2takes place inthe
IP/N/1/COUNTRY/- series ofdocuments.
5. AtitsNovember 1995meeting, theCouncil alsoagreed thatMembers would provide responses
toachecklist ofissues onenforcement (IP/C/5). Todate,30Members havenotified responses, one
ofwhich without prejudice toitsentitlements under Article 65.These responses havebeencirculated
intheIP/N/6/COUNTRY/- series ofdocuments.
6. Thenational treatment andMFN obligations ofArticles 3,4and5oftheTRIPS Agreement
became applicable toallMembers from1January 1996. Atitsmeeting inFebruary 1997, theCouncil
tooknoteofatextwhich ithaddeveloped asapractical aidtoassist delegations making notifications
oflawsandregulations relating toArticles 3,4and5oftheAgreement. Thetextwassubsequently
circulated indocument IP/C/9 entitled "Notifications ofLaws andRegulations relating toArticles 3,
4and5oftheTRIPS Agreement: Format forOneOption". Asnoted inthedocument, theCouncil
forTRIPS hasrecognized thatMembers haveanumber ofoptions formeeting theirobligation tonotify
those lawsandregulations thatcorrespond tothenational treatment andMFN obligations ofArticles 3,
4and5oftheAgreement. Three options inparticular havebeenidentified:
- notifying thespecific provisions oflawsandregulations thatimplement theobligations
setoutinArticles 3,4and5;
- making ageneral statement that nationals ofother WTO Members enjoy
non-discriminatory treatment, together withalistofanyexceptions tothatprinciple;
or
- notifying allintellectual property lawsandregulations.
Inrespect ofthesecond ofthese options, thedocument contains aformat, which wasdeveloped as
apractical aidtoassist Members availing themselves ofthisoption, without adding toorsubtracting
from therights andobligations ofMembers under theAgreement.
(ii) Articles 1.3and3.1
7. Articles 1.3and3.1oftheTRIPS Agreement, relating tothedefinition ofbeneficiary persons
under theAgreement andtonational treatment, allow certain exceptions tothenormal rulesonthese
matters, provided thatnotifications aremade totheCouncil forTRIPS. Twenty-five notifications have
beensubmitted under these provisions. These notifications arecontained intheIP/N/2/COUNTRY/-
series ofdocuments.
(iii) Article 4(d)
8. Article 4(d)oftheTRIPS Agreement requires aMember seeking tojustify anexception to
theMFN ruleonthebasisofaninternational agreement relating totheprotection ofintellectual property
which hadentered intoforcepriortotheentryintoforceoftheWTO Agreement tonotify thatagreement
totheCouncil forTRIPS. Todate,43notifications havebeenreceived under thisprovision. These
notifications arecontained intheIP/N/4/COUNTRY/- series ofdocuments.
9. Atitsmeeting inFebruary 1997, theCouncil noted theexistence oftheinformal background
notebytheSecretariat entitled "TheMost-Favoured-Nation Treatment Clause oftheTRIPS AgreementIP/C/12
Page 3
(Article 4)",thelastparagraph ofwhich wasintended asaninformal guideline toassist individual
Members inmaking orreviewing theirnotifications under Article 4(d).3Thetextofthisnote,revised
asrequested bytheCouncil totakeintoaccount points made atthemeeting, wascirculated asdocument
No.1548, dated 20March 1997. TheCouncil agreed torevert totheissue intheautumn of1997
soastotakestock ofthesituation atthattimeandinthelightofanyneworrevised notifications that
hadbeenmade. TheCouncil hadafurther exchange ofviews onthematter atitsSeptember 1997
meeting. FortheNovember meeting oftheCouncil, twomodified notifications were submitted.
(iv) Article 69
10. Article 69oftheTRIPS Agreement requires Members toestablish andnotify contact points
forthepurposes ofcooperating witheachother withaviewtoeliminating international tradeingoods
infringing intellectual property rights. Procedures forsuchnotifications wereagreed bytheCouncil
inSeptember 1995. Todate,81Members havenotified contact points. Themostrecent compilation
ofthese iscontained indocument IP/N/3/Rev.2 andaddenda.
(v) Notifications under other provisions oftheAgreement
11. Anumber ofnotification provisions oftheBerne andtheRome Conventions areincorporated
byreference intotheTRIPS Agreement butwithout being explicitly referred toinit.Todate, one
Member hasmade anotification under theseprovisions. Notifications ofthiskindarebeing circulated
intheIP/N/5/COUNTRY/- series ofdocuments.
(vi) Other
12. TheCouncil hasalsoreceived, todate,anumber ofcommunications fromMembers providing
information concerning theirstatus under thetransitional provisions ofArticle 65oftheAgreement.
Some ofthese communications weremade inconjunction withnotifications made under Article 63.2
(seeparagraph 4above). Sixother communications weremade separately fromanysuchnotification.
III. REVIEW OFNATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS
13. TheCouncil continued itsreview ofnational lawsandregulations inaccordance withthe
"Schedule fortheConsideration ofNational Implementing Legislation in1996/1997" ithadadopted
atitsmeeting inNovember 1995(IP/C/3). Theprocedures, originally agreed atitsMay1996meeting
inrespect ofthereview oflegislation intheareaofcopyright andrelated rights, wereapplied tothe
subsequent reviews withnecessary modifications. These procedures provided forwritten questions
andreplies prior tothereview meeting, withfollow-up questions andreplies during thecourse ofthe
meeting. Atsubsequent meetings oftheCouncil, anopportunity wasgiven tofollow-up points that
hademerged fromthereview sessions which delegations considered hadnotbeenadequately addressed.
14. Legislation intheareas oftrademarks, geographical indications andindustrial designs of
30Members wasreviewed attheCouncil 'smeeting of11-15 November 1996. Legislation intheareas
ofpatents, layout-designs (topographies) ofintegrated circuits, protection ofundisclosed information
andcontrol ofanti-competitive practices incontractual licenses of33Members wasreviewed atthe
Council 'smeeting of26-30 May1997. AttheCouncil 'smeeting of17-21 November 1997, legislation
of32Members intheareaofenforcement wasreviewed. Therecords oftheintroductory statements
made bydelegations, thequestions puttothemandtheresponses given, including follow-up questions
andresponses thereto, arecirculated in,respectively, theIP/Q2/COUNTRY/-, IP/Q3/COUNTRY/-
3SeetheAnnex todocument IP/C/M/12.IP/C/12
Page 4
andIP/Q4/COUNTRY/- series ofdocuments. Anumber ofresponses tofollow-up questions arestill
pending.
15. Theminutes oftheCouncil 'sMay 1997 meeting record thefollowing statement bythe
Chairperson ontheissue ofpriority rights (IP/C/M/13, paragraph 39):
"The Chairperson saidthat,inthecontext ofthereview ofnational implementing
legislation notified under Article 63.2oftheAgreement, Members hadaddressed the
following question: 'Does yourcountry recognize arightofpriority onthebasis of
anearlier trademark application filedinanyother WTO Member byanational ofa
WTO Member? 'Asimilar question hadbeenposed toWTO Members withrespect
topatents. Itappeared thatinevery caseMembers didorwould (when theamendments
torelevant national lawsand/or regulations were inforce) recognize priority rights
based onanearlier application inanyother WTO Member byanational ofaWTO
Member. Acompilation ofthereplies received would becirculated asdocument
IP/C/W/73. Thequestion hadalsoarisen astowhether WTO Members currently bound
toapply allprovisions oftheTRIPS Agreement wereobligated toextend protection
under Article 6teroftheParis Convention tothose WTO Members thatwere not
members oftheParisConvention andwereavailing themselves ofatransitional period
under Article 65orArticle 66oftheTRIPS Agreement. Allevidence suggested that
thisobligation currently existed."
16. According totheschedule forthereview ofnational implementing legislation currently taking
place, asadopted inNovember 1995 (document IP/C/3), theCouncil would normally terminate this
exercise bytheendof1997. Atitsmeeting inSeptember 1997, theCouncil agreed tocomplete in
thespring of1998thereview offourMembers, whose legislation wasalready subject totheon-going
review butforwhom thereview would nothavebeencompleted bytheendoftheyear, because they
joined theexercise late.Furthermore, theCouncil agreed toreview intheautumn of1998thelegislation
ofthree Members, whohadacceded totheWTO during theperiod ofthecurrent review andwho,
while notapplying aTRIPS transition period, hadnotyetbeensubject tothereview.
17. Atitsmeeting inNovember 1996, theCouncil agreed thattheChair would consult in1997
withindividual Members whose legislation hadnotbeensubject tothepresent review exercise, but
whose legislation would havebeen, inwhole orinlargepart,brought intoconformity withtheTRIPS
Agreement inadvance. Thepurpose ofthose consultations bytheChair would betoseewhether there
wasscope forthelegislation ofsuchMembers tobeprogressively incorporated intothereview process
bytheCouncil aftertheconclusion ofthepresent review programme, i.e.attheearliest in1998, with
itbeing clearly understood thattheagreement ofaMember tothiswould bewithout prejudice tothe
legal situation regarding itsentitlements under Article 65andwould beintended asapractical
contribution tothework oftheCouncil. Inthelightoffurther discussion onthismatter attheCouncil 's
Julymeeting, theChairperson saidtheCouncil should develop ground rulesforsuchadvance reviews
soastogivesecurity toallMembers thatthereview would betaken uponavoluntary basisandwithout
prejudice totheirentitlements under Article 65,andthatreviewed legislation would notbesubmitted
toasecond review exercise intheyear2000. AttheCouncil 'sNovember 1997 meeting, theChair
informed theCouncil thattheChair'sinformal consultations onthismatter hadclarified thereadiness
ofatleastfiveMembers tobetaken upinsuchearly reviews inlate1998 orearly 1999, onthe
conditions laiddown inthedraftground rulesproposed bytheChair, buthadstillnotyetyielded the
necessary consensus among Members asawhole.IP/C/12
Page 5
IV. IMPLEMENTATION OFARTICLE 70.8AND 70.9
18. TheCouncilconsideredateachofitsmeetingstheimplementationofArticle70.8andtherelated
provisions ofArticle 70.9, andtooknoteofstatements bysome Members oftheirconcern thatnot
allMembers towhich these provisions applied were giving effect tothem or,intheevent thatthey
haddoneso,hadnotnotified therelevant legislation under Article 63.2.
19. Atitsmeeting inMay, theCouncil wasinformed ofamutually agreed solution toamatter
concerning these Articles, onwhich consultations hadbeeninitiated under theDispute Settlement
Understanding (IP/D/2/Add.1).
V. RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE INTHE WTO
20. Atitsmeetings inFebruary andSeptember 1997, theCouncil wasinformed ofprovisions in
theprotocols ofaccession andreports ofworking parties ontheaccession ofthree countries tothe
WTO under Article XIIoftheWTO Agreement concerning theapplication oftheprovisions ofthe
TRIPS Agreement.
21. Atitsmeeting inNovember 1996, theCouncil tooknote,under "other business", ofstatements
concerning theterms ofaccession ofEcuador totheWTO concerning application oftheprovisions
oftheTRIPS Agreement. Atitsmeeting inJuly1997, theCouncil tooknoteofacommunication from
Ecuador onthematter (IP/C/W/74).
22. During theperiod under review, theCouncil wasinformed ofsixactions under theDispute
Settlement Understanding relevant totheTRIPS Agreement, asreflected indocuments IP/D/6-10 and
WT/DS50/6, andofthree mutually agreed solutions, asreflected indocuments IP/D/1/Add.1,
IP/D/2/Add.1 andIP/D/4/Add.1.
VI. TECHNICAL COOPERATION
23. TheCouncil hascontinued itswork inthisareaonthebasis oftheprocedures agreed atits
meeting inFebruary 1996. TheCouncil agreed thatthisyeardeveloped country Members would update
theinformation ontheirtechnical andfinancial cooperation activities pursuant toArticle 67ofthe
Agreement intimefortheCouncil 'smeeting inSeptember 1997, which hadaspecial focus ontechnical
cooperation. Forthesakeoftransparency, intergovernmental organizations observers totheTRIPS
Council alsopresented, ontheinvitation oftheCouncil, information ontheiractivities. Inaddition,
theWTO Secretariat provided information onitstechnical cooperation intheTRIPS area. This
information canbefound indocuments IP/C/W/77-79 andaddenda. Inthediscussion, theattention
oftheCouncil wasdrawn totheprovisions ofArticle 66.2oftheAgreement andtheobligations of
developed country Members under those provisions. Atitsmeeting inNovember 1997, theCouncil
continueditsdiscussionontechnicalcooperationinordertotakeintoaccounttheinformationontechnical
cooperation activities received justprior tooraftertheSeptember meeting.
24. Developed country Members havenotified contact points intheiradministrations which can
beaddressed bydeveloping countries seeking technical cooperation onTRIPS. Todate,22developed
country Members have notified their contact points fortechnical cooperation. Themost recent
compilation ofthese iscontained indocument IP/N/7/Rev.1 andaddenda.
25. TheSecretariatorganized,jointlywiththeInternationalBureauoftheWorldIntellectualProperty
Organization (WIPO), thesecond workshop onaspecific aspects oftechnical cooperation, which enabled
anexchange ofviews ontechnical cooperation needs andexperiences related totheimplementation
oftheTRIPS Agreement. Thetopicoftheworkshop, heldon14July1997, was"Technical CooperationIP/C/12
Page 6
Aimed atImproving Human Resources andInstitutional Capacities Required toImplement theTRIPS
Provisions onDomestic Enforcement".
VII. REVIEW OFTHE APPLICATION OFTHE PROVISIONS OFTHE SECTION ON
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 24.2
26. AsagreedatitsmeetinginSeptember1996,theCounciltookupworkonthismatterbyincluding
ontheagenda ofitsNovember 1996 meeting anitem"Review oftheApplication oftheProvisions
oftheSection onGeographical Indications under Article 24.2" andaddressed thisagenda itemafter
andtaking intoaccount thereview ofnational implementing legislation intheareas oftrademarks,
geographical indications andindustrial designs scheduled forthatmeeting. TheCouncil agreed togive
further consideration tohowtheissue ofreviewing theapplication oftheprovisions oftheSection
ongeographical indications under Article 24.2would behandled through informal consultations, the
timing ofwhich would needtotakeintoaccount thesubmission ofproposals which delegations had
foreshadowed. Atitsmeeting inFebruary 1997, theCouncil hadafurther exchange ofviews onthis
matter inthecontext ofafollow-up toits1996report andconfirmed these arrangements forcarrying
forward thework. AttheCouncil 'sJuly1997 meeting, ithadanexchange ofviews onthismatter
onthebasis ofacommunication from adelegation (IP/C/W/75) andtwonon-papers. TheChair
announced herintention toholdinformal consultations prior totheCouncil 'sSeptember meeting.
Following theseconsultations, theChair called ondelegations tocontribute either byposing questions
orbysubmitting suggestions onthepurpose of,andtheprocedures for,thereview foreseen under
Article 24.2. AttheCouncil 'smeeting inNovember 1997, theChair informed theCouncil thatseven
Members hadpresented theirviews inwriting intheperiod JulytoNovember 1997. TheChair is
continuing toholdinformal consultations onthismatter withaview toproposing adecision atthe
Council 'ssecond meeting in1998.
VIII. IMPLEMENTATION OFARTICLE 23.4
27. Initsreport (1996), theCouncil agreed toinitiate in1997preliminary work onissues relevant
tothenegotiations specified inArticle 23.4oftheAgreement concerning theestablishment ofa
multilateral system ofnotification andregistration ofgeographical indications forwines, andthatissues
relevant toanotification andregistration system forspirits would bepartofthispreliminary work
(IP/C/8, paragraph 34). Atitsmeeting inFebruary, theCouncil initiated thiswork byagreeing on
aninformation-gathering activity. Members were invited tosubmit information onanysystems for
theregistration ofgeographical indications which theyoperated. Todate,information hasbeenreceived
fromeleven Members, which canbefound indocuments IP/C/W/76 andAddenda 1-11. Atitsmeeting
inSeptember 1997, theCouncil considered thisinformation andagreed torequest theSecretariat to
prepare abackground noteonnotification andregistration systems fortheCouncil 'swork under
Article 23.4inaccordance withanoutline reproduced inanAnnex todocument IP/C/M/15. This
notehasbeencirculated asdocument IP/C/W/85; itwillbeconsidered attheCouncil 'sfirstmeeting
in1998.SECTION VII
COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND ENVIRONMENTWORLD TRADE WT/CTE/2
26November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5198)
Committee onTrade andEnvironment
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Asdirected bytheSingapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/MIN(96)/DEC), theCommittee
onTrade andEnvironment (CTE) continued towork withthemandate andterms ofreference contained
intheMarrakesh Ministerial Decision onTrade andEnvironment under theChairmanship of
Ambassador Björn Ekblom (Finland). Atitsfirstmeeting, theCTEadopted aschedule ofmeetings
andprogramme ofwork for1997 (seetheattached Annex).
2. AllItems oftheworkprogramme setoutintheMinisterial Decision onTrade andEnvironment
wereontheagenda oftheCTEinaccordance withtherecommendations contained inthe1996Report
oftheCTE totheSingapore Ministerial Conference (WT/CTE/1). Inorder tobroaden anddeepen
thediscussions, athematic approach wasfollowed soastoallow allItems tobeaddressed inasystematic
manner.
3. TheCTE heldthree meetings in1997. AssetoutintheAnnex tothisReport, thefocus of
themeeting heldon21-22 Maywasthose Items onthework programme related tomarket access,
including Items 2,3,4,and6.Atthe22-24 September meeting, theCTEaddressed those Items which
arerelevant tothelinkages between themultilateral environment andtradeagendas, including Items 1,
5,7and8.The24-26 November meeting focused onItems 9and10andadopted thisreport ofthe
CTE totheGeneral Council.
4. ASymposium withnon-governmental organisations (NGOs) wasorganized bytheSecretariat,
onitsownresponsibility, on20-21 May1997.1Approximately 70NGOs participated intheSymposium
representingawidespectrumofenvironment,development,consumerandindustryinterestsandresearch
organizations fromdeveloping anddeveloped countries. TheSymposium continued theongoing and
valuable exchange ofviews withNGOs onmatters related toWTO work ontrade, environment and
sustainable development.
5. Inorder tocontribute tothediscussions intheCTEonthelinkages between theenvironmental
andtradeagendas, aninformation session withrepresentatives fromtheSecretariats ofseven multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs) andtwoenvironmental financial mechanisms washeld on
22September 1997. Theinformation gained fromthepresentations andthebackground papers prepared
bytheMEA Secretariats wasconsidered useful andfurther sessions ofthisnature wereencouraged.
6. TheCTEextendedobserverstatustothefollowinginternationalintergovernmentalorganisations
in1997:theUNFrameworkConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD),theConventiononInternational
Trade inEndangered Species ofWild Flora andFauna (CITES), andtheLatin American Economic
System (SELA).
7. TheCTE agreed toholditsfirstmeeting on19-20 March 1998 andtocontinue tobroaden
anddeepen theanalysis oftheItems onitswork programme based onthe"cluster approach" under
thethemes ofmarket access andthelinkages between themultilateral environment andtradeagendas.
./.
1Asmandated bythe1996 Report oftheCTEtotheSingapore Ministerial Conference andpursuant tothe1996 Decision
oftheWTO General Council on"Guidelines forArrangements onRelations withNon-Governmental Organizations".WT/CTE/2
Page 2
ANNEX
COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
Work Programme andSchedule ofMeetings for1997
AllItems ofthework programme setoutintheMinisterial Decision onTrade andEnvironment
areontheagenda oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment (CTE) thisyearinaccordance with
therecommendations contained inthe1996Report oftheCTEtotheSingapore Ministerial Conference
(WT/CTE/1). Inorder toadvance theCTE'sdiscussions in1997, athematic approach willbefollowed
soastoallow allItems ofthework programme tobeaddressed inasystematic manner.
AttheCTE'smeeting on21-22 Maythose Items relevant tothetheme ofmarket access will
bediscussed, including:
Item2: therelationship between environmental policies relevant totrade andenvironmental
measures withsignificant trade effects andtheprovisions ofthemultilateral trading
system;
Item3: therelationship between theprovisions ofthemultilateral trading system and:
(a) charges andtaxes forenvironmental purposes;
(b) requirements forenvironmental purposes relating toproducts, including
standards andtechnical regulations, packaging, labelling andrecycling;
Item4: theprovisions ofthemultilateral trading system withrespect tothetransparency of
trade measures usedforenvironmental purposes andenvironmental measures and
requirements which havesignificant trade effects; and
Item6: theeffect ofenvironmental measures onmarket access, especially inrelation to
developingcountries,inparticulartotheleastdevelopedamongthem,andenvironmental
benefits ofremoving trade restrictions anddistortions.
On22-24 September, theCTEwillholdameeting todiscuss theItems related tothelinkages
between themultilateral environment agenda andthemultilateral trade agenda, including:
Item1: therelationship between theprovisions ofthemultilateral trading system andtrade
measures forenvironmental purposes, including those pursuant tomultilateral
environmental agreements;
Item5: therelationship between thedispute settlement mechanisms inthemultilateral trading
system andthose found inmultilateral environmental agreements;
Item7: theissue ofexports ofdomestically prohibited goods; and
Item8: therelevant provisions oftheAgreement onTrade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual
Property Rights.
Atameeting tobeheldfrom 24-26 November, theCTE willaddress:
Item9: thework programme envisaged intheDecision onTrade inServices andthe
Environment;
Item10: input totherelevant bodies inrespect ofappropriate arrangements forrelations with
intergovernmental andnon-governmental organizations referred toinArticle Vofthe
WTO; and
prepare abrieffactual report forsubmission totheGeneral Council attheendof1997.SECTION VIII
COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND DEVELOPMENTWORLD TRADE WT/COMTD/13
21November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5127)
Committee onTrade andDevelopment
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION
1. TheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment (CTD) heldfivemeetings in1997. TheMinutes
ofthesemeetingsarecontainedindocumentsWT/COMTD/M/14/Rev.1,M/15,M/16,M/17andM/18.
Thefirstsession waschaired byAmbassador N.Benjelloun-Touimi (Morocco); thesubsequent sessions
were chaired byAmbassador D.Baichoo (Mauritius).
WORK OFTHE COMMITTEE ONTRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
2. MembersoftheCommitteeaddressedthefollowingmainitemsduringitsworkin1997:technical
cooperation andtraining activities astheyrelate todeveloping country members; review ofthe
participation ofdeveloping country members inworld trade; andreview oftheapplication ofspecial
provisionsinthemultilateraltradingagreementsandrelatedMinisterialDecisionsinfavourofdeveloping
country Members, inparticular least-developed country Members. Italsoreviewed progress inthe
preparation oftheHigh-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade
Development, noting periodic reports bytheSub-Committee onLeast-Developed Countries.
Technical cooperation andtraining activities astheyrelate todeveloping countries
3. In1997,theworkoftheCommitteeinthisareafocusedonthreeareas:implementationmodalities
fortheprovision oftechnical assistance; theManual onTechnical Cooperation andTraining Activities;
andtheThree Year Planfortechnical cooperation andtraining activities for1997-1999 withafirst
exchange ofviews onthePlanfor1998-2000.
4. TheCommittee continued itsdiscussion which itbegan in1996onimplementation modalities
fortheprovision oftechnical assistance, withaview totheiradoption. Thepreliminary results of
itswork werereflected inapaper prepared bytheSecretariat, which tookintoaccount thecomments
andproposals made bydelegations, andwhich alsoserved asabasis fortheCommittee 'sfurther
discussions (circulated indocument WT/COMTD/W/29). Theoutcome oftheCommittee 'sdiscussions
wasreflected inarevision ofthepaper (WT/COMTD/W/29/Rev.1) which theCommittee adopted
atitsmeeting on17November. Inacontinuous effort toadvance coordination between agencies,
representatives ofITCandUNCTAD wereinvited toaddress theCommittee atit'smeeting inFebruary,
topresent theirviews ontheimplementation modalities fortechnical assistance usedbytheirrespective
agencies.
5. Intheperiod under review, theCommittee discussed several draftversions ofaManual on
Technical Cooperation andTraining which draws ontheGuidelines forTechnical Cooperation adopted
inOctober 1996andwhich isintended toprovide adescription ofthetechnical cooperation andtraining
activitiesavailableintheWTO,explainshowMemberscanbenefitfromsuchassistanceandhowrequests
should befiledtoparticipate intheactivities. Delegations weregenerally oftheviewthattheManualWT/COMTD/13
Page 2
wasauseful tool. Atitsmeeting on17November theCommittee adopted theManual ascontained
indocument WT/COMTD/W/26/Rev.2 plusSuppl.1. requesting theSecretariat toamend thepaper
inthelightofcomments made atthatmeeting andagreed torevert tothisitematitsnextmeeting.
6. TheGuidelines forTechnical Cooperation stipulated thattheThree Year Planfortechnical
Cooperation wastobeapproved bytheCommittee. Accordingly, intheperiod under review, the
Committee discussed theThree YearPlanforTechnical Cooperation for1997-1999. TheCommittee
agreed atitsmeeting on26September thattheversion contained indocument WT/COMTD/W/25
andAdd.1 would beconsidered finalandthatanyfurther editorial technical suggestions toimprove
subsequent Three YearPlans would betaken intoconsideration inthedraftThree YearPlanfor1998-
2000. ThePlanfor1998 -2000wassubsequently circulated indocument WT/COMTD/W/32/Rev.1
ofwhich theCommittee tooknoteafterafirstdiscussion atitsmeeting on17November.
Theparticipation ofdeveloping country Members inworld trade
7. TheCommittee discussed theitematitsSeptember andNovember sessions onthebasis of
aNote prepared bytheSecretariat entitled "Participation ofDeveloping Countries inWorld trade:
recent developments, andtrade oftheleast-developed countries" (WT/COMTD/W/31). TheNote
updates thestudy which hadbeenprepared bytheSecretariat in1996onMajor Trends andUnderlying
FactorsintheParticipationofDevelopingCountriesinWorldTradeoverthepasttwentyyears(contained
indocument WT/COMTD/W/15). TheCommittee agreed thatthisitemshould become aregular
feature ofitsagenda andthatthere willbefollow-up inthevarious areas.
Review oftheapplication ofspecial provisions inthemultilateral trading agreements andrelated
Ministerial Decisions infavour ofdeveloping country Members, inparticular least-developed
country Members
8. TheCommittee agreed, aspartofitswork programme fortheautumn, tocontinue itsreview
oftheapplication ofspecial provisions inthemultilateral trade agreements andrelated Ministerial
Decisions infavour ofdeveloping country Members, inparticular least-developed country Members,
which ithadstarted in1996. Itconducted itsreview onthebasisofcontributions fromWTO Bodies
responsibleformonitoringtheimplementationofUruguayRoundAgreementscommitments:information
submitted onhowprovisions infavour ofdeveloping countries hadbeendealtwithinthevarious WTO
Committees wascompiled inadocument which served asabasis fortheCommittee 'discussion
(WT/COMTD/W/33). Atitsmeeting on17November theCommittee engaged inafirstdiscussion
andagreed torevert tothisitematitsnextmeeting, requesting theSecretariat toup-date thedocument.
Work related toleastdeveloped countries: theHigh-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives
forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade Development
9. Atitsmeeting inFebruary 1997 theCommittee discussed thepreparation oftheHigh-Level
Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade Development andrequested
theSub-Committee onLeast-Developed Countries tofollow-up onpreparations, under guidance of
theCommittee.
10. TheSub-CommitteeonLeast-DevelopedCountriesheldfivemeetingsintheperiodunderreview.
The Minutes ofthese meetings are contained indocuments WT/COMTD/LLDC/5,
WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/6, M/7 plus Corr.1, M/8 andM/9. Thesessions were chaired by
Ambassador E.Herfkens (TheNetherlands).WT/COMTD/13
Page 3
11. Atitsmeeting inFebruary, theSub-Committee tookuptheissue ofaccumulated arrears and
thespecificproblemsthismightentailfortheparticipationofleast-developedcountriesinWTOtechnical
assistance andtraining activities.1
12. TheSub-Committeefocusedmostofitsworkin1997onpreparationsfortheHigh-LevelMeeting
onIntegrated Initiatives forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade Development (documents
WT/COMTD/W/28 plusitstwoAddenda). Apreparatory meeting washeldon26Juneinwhich the
agenda, theformat andthebudget oftheHigh-Level Meeting wereagreed. Atitsmeeting inOctober,
theSub-Committee agreed toinvite H.E. JanPronk, Minister ofDevelopment Cooperation ofthe
Netherlands, tochairtheHigh-Level Meeting. TheSub-Committee alsorecommended thattheHigh-
Level Meeting endorse theIntegrated Framework forTrade-Related Technical Assistance, including
forHuman andInstitutional Capacity-Building, tosupport Least-Developed Countries inTheir Trade
andTrade-related Activities (subsequently circulated asdocument WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).
13. TheHigh-Level Meeting tookplace on27and28October 1997 (WTO/AIR/698 andAdds.1
and2).TheReport oftheHigh-Level Meeting iscontained indocument WT/LDC/HL/232.Follow-up
activities areforeseen.
Observer status forinternational intergovernmental organizations
14. Atitsmeeting inMay, andfollowing guidance fromtheGeneral Council, theCommittee agreed
toextend observer status totwoadditional international intergovernmental organizations, theAfrican,
CaribbeanandPacificGroupofStates(ACP)andtheSouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunity(SADC)
(document WT/COMTD/W/22/Rev.1 contains thelistofinternational intergovernmental organizations
withobserver status intheCTD aswellasthose whose request ispending).
1PursuanttodiscussionsintheCommitteeonBudget,FinanceandAdministration,theGeneralCouncildecided
atitsmeeting on22October 1997 thatthose least-developed countries which areWTO Members should be
exempted from application oftheadministrative measures which states that"inactive members would bedenied
access totraining ortechnical assistance."
2Subsequently circulated asdocument WT/COMTD/12.SECTION IX
COMMITTEE ONBALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS RESTRICTIONSWORLD TRADE WT/BOP/R/37
12November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4935)
Committee onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COMMITTEE ONBALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS RESTRICTIONS
1. Thisreport hasbeenprepared inpursuance oftheProcedures foranAnnual Overview ofWTO
Activities andforReporting under WTO (WT/L/105).
2. Since thebeginning of1997, theCommittee hasheldconsultations witheight Members.
3. InJanuary 1997, theCommittee continued itsconsultations with India, suspended since
December 1995. TheCommittee welcomed India'scontinued commitment toward economic reform
andliberalization, andnoted itsprogressive removal ofquantitative restrictions notified under
Article XVIII:B. TheCommittee alsonoted theIMF'sstatement thatIndia'scurrent monetary reserves
were notinadequate andwere notthreatened byaserious decline. India cautioned thatitsbalance
ofpayments needed closemonitoring andthattheprecipitate removal ofquantitative restrictions notified
under Article XVIII:B could undermine thestability ofitseconomy andthereform process. The
Committee agreed toresume theconsultations withIndia atthebeginning ofJune1997 toconsider
aplanfortheelimination ofmeasures notified under Article XVIII:B andtoconclude theconsultations
consistently withallrelevant BOPprovisions. Indrawing upaplan,Indiawould givedueconsideration
toMembers 'interests inabalanced manner.1TheCommittee reconvened inJunetoconsider India's
plantoeliminate themeasures notified under Article XVIII:B.2Intheabsence ofagreement within
theCommitteeonspecificproposalsforrecommendationbytheGeneralCouncil,arecordofthedifferent
views expressed wasproduced andcirculated toMembers, inaccordance withparagraph 13ofthe
Understanding.3
4. InMarch, theCommittee resumed itsconsultations withNigeria. TheCommittee recalled
thatatitsprevious meeting, Members considered thattheimport prohibitions inforce inNigeria could
nolonger bejustified under Article XVIII:B andtheUnderstanding ontheBalance-of-Payments
Provisions oftheGATT. Atthattime, Nigeria hadstated itscommitment toproceed withtheirearly
elimination andtodisinvoke Article XVIII:B. Members welcomed theremoval oftwoitems from
theimport prohibition list,butexpressed disappointment thatsixitems onthelistremained inplace.
TheCommittee didnotaccept Nigeria 'sproposal foraphase outbytheyear2005.4When consultations
resumed attheendofJuly, Members welcomed thesubmission ofatimeschedule forthephasing
1WT/BOP/R/22, 3March 1997.
2WT/BOP/N/24, 22May 1997.
3WT/BOP/R/32, 18September 1997.
4WT/BOP/R/25, 27March 1997.WT/BOP/R/37
Page 2
outofNigeria 'sremaining import prohibitions.5MostMembers called fortheirelimination immediately
oroveramuch shorter time-frame thanthatproposed byNigeria. TheNigerian delegation agreed
tocommunicate theviews expressed byMembers oftheCommittee totheappropriate andcompetent
authorities fortheirconsideration andtoconsult interested Members inthecourse ofNovember. On
thatbasis, theCommittee decided tosuspend theconsultations andresume, withaviewtoconcluding,
inearly February 1998.6Since March, Members havereserved theirrights under GATT 1994.
5. InApril, Pakistan consulted withtheCommittee. Committee Members recognized thatPakistan
wasfacingaseriousbalance-of-paymentsproblemandagreedthatitwasjustifiedinresortingtomeasures
inaccordance withArticle XVIII:B ofGATT 1994. While Members appreciated thereduction ofitems
ontheNegative Listfrom 214to68since 1989, some pointed outthatmany oftheitems listed should
more appropriately bejustified under other WTO provisions, e.g.ongrounds ofhealth, safety, public
morals orsecurity.7Some alsoquestioned therecourse toquantitative restrictions, noting thatpriced-
based measures werenormally tobepreferred. Andattention wasdrawn totheabsence ofaphase-out
schedule.WhenconsultationsresumedinNovember,followingthesubmissionofadditionalinformation
requested bytheCommittee, theCommittee agreed thattheconsultations would bedeemed tobe
concluded provided Pakistan publicly announced, within twelve months, aschedule, taking account
ofmacroeconomic developments andtheinterests oftrading partners, fortheremoval ofthemeasures
within areasonable period oftime.
6. On2May, theCommittee consulted withBangladesh under simplified procedures. Members
recognized that,since thelastconsultation, thebalance-of-payments situation haddeteriorated and
remained precarious. Noting areduction inthenumber ofquantitative restrictions inrecent years,
someMemberscommendedBangladeshfornotintensifyingrestrictionsbutcontinuingwithitsprogramme
oftrade liberalization. Members called forfurther information andclarification, inaccordance with
Paragraph 11oftheUnderstanding, regarding thelegalbasis, system andeffects ofrestrictions and
observed that,under Paragraph 1oftheUnderstanding, Members were committed toannouncing
time-schedules fortheremoval ofrestrictions taken forbalance-of-payments purposes. Noting that
fullconsultations hadnever beenheldwithBangladesh, theCommittee determined thatfullconsultations
would bedesirable, asameans ofclarifying thebalance-of-payments situation andpromoting greater
transparency. TheCommittee invited theGovernment ofBangladesh toconsider holding suchfull
consultations intheautumn of1998, or,inanycase, before May1999.8
7. TheCommittee resumed itsconsultations withTunisia inJune. Itcommended theTunisian
authorities fortheirsound macroeconomic policies which hadledtoanimprovement intheexternal
situation. Although thebalance-of-payments position hadstrengthened andthere appeared tobeno
threat ofaserious decline inthelevelofreserves, opinions differed astowhether thesituation was
stable orremained fragile. According totheIMF, theoutlook wasencouraging. While acknowledging
theresidual nature oftheremaining restrictions, some Members emphasised thatsectoral measures
werenotinaccordance withtheprovisions oftheUnderstanding noranappropriate wayofaddressing
abalance-of-payments problem. Tunisia undertook tophase-out theremaining restrictions infoursteps
5WT/BOP/N/27, 16July1997.
6WT/BOP/R/35, 19September 1997.
7WT/BOP/R/27, 15July1977.
8WT/BOP/R/28, 28May 1997.WT/BOP/R/37
Page 3
from1July1997, ending 1July2000.9TheCommittee invited Tunisia toaccelerate implementation
ofthisphase-out planshould circumstances permit.10
8. InJuly,theCommittee mettoconsider asix-month, noninterest bearing import deposit scheme
introduced bytheCzech Republic on21April 1997.11TheCommittee expressed appreciation forthe
timely Czech notification ofthemeasure under consideration, while regretting theabsence fromitof
anytime-schedule fortheelimination ofthemeasure. Amajority ofMembers oftheCommittee argued
thatthemeasure wasinappropriate, particularly inthatitscoverage ofimports wasselective, and
ill-designed toredress macroeconomic imbalances. They urged theCzech authorities toeliminate it
during orbefore theirforthcoming review; ortopresent totheCommittee, before theresumption
oftheconsultation inSeptember, atime-schedule foritselimination within 1997. TheCzech delegation
maintained thatthemeasure wasinfullconformity withCzech obligations under Article XIIandthe
1994 Understanding, andstressed thatitwaswithout protectionist intent.12
9. Subsequently, on29August, theCzech Republic notified theWTO thatithadabolished the
scheme on21August andwasnolonger applying restrictions under cover ofArticle XII.13
10. AlsoinJuly,theCommittee heldconsultations withBulgaria under Article XIIonits5percent
import surcharge, introduced tosafeguard thebalance ofpayments on4June1996.14Bulgaria intends
toreduce thesurcharge annually withelimination foreseen for1July2000. TheCommittee commended
Bulgariaforhavingmaintained,duringitsrecentdifficulties,itscommitmenttoreformandliberalization.
Itrecognized that,although Bulgaria 'sreserve position hadimproved recently, itsbalance-of-payments
situation wasstilldelicate, andnoted, interalia,boththecontinuing importance ofmarket-oriented
policies andBulgaria 'scontinuing reliance onthetimely disbursement ofofficial external assistance.
Itfound thatrecourse toArticle XIIofGATT 1994wasjustified. Some Members oftheCommittee
urgedBulgariatoacceleratetheeliminationofthismeasure,asrecommendedbytheIMFinitsstatement,
andexpressed theirhope toseeprogress inthisregard bythenextconsultation. Bulgaria affirmed
thatitwould keepunder continuous review thecompatibility ofthismeasure withitsobligations under
GATT Article XII:2(b).15
11. InOctober, theCommittee consulted withtheSlovak Republic, under Article XII,onitsimport
surcharge, applied sinceAugust onthemajority ofimports attherateof7percent.16Theconsultations
were suspended untilDecember 1997.
9WT/BOP/N/25, 3July1997.
10WT/BOP/R/31, 30July1997.
11WT/BOP/N/19 andAdd.1, 29April and21May 1997, respectively.
12WT/BOP/R/33, 18September 1997.
13WT/BOP/N/29, 15September 1997.
14WT/BOP/N/18, 27March 1997.
15WT/BOP/R/34, 18September 1997.
16WT/BOP/N/28, 30July1997.WT/BOP/R/37
Page 4
12. InFebruary, theoutgoing Chairman, Mr.Peter Witt(Germany) handed overtheChairmanship
toMr.Peter R.Jenkins (United Kingdom). Atthatmeeting, theCommittee granted regular observer
status tothefollowing international, intergovernmental organizations: ACP Secretariat, EBRD, EFTA,
OECD, UNCTAD andtheWorld Bank.17
13. Inthecourse of1997, sixWTO Members joined theCommittee (Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Hong Kong China, Nigeria, Slovenia andSouth Africa).18
14. On1January 1997, theSlovak Republic andPoland eliminated import surcharges introduced
on3March 1994and1December 1992, respectively.19Turkey disinvoked thebalance-of-payments
provisions witheffect from thesame date.20On1July, Hungary eliminated its3percentimport
surcharge; Bulgaria lowered its5percentimport surcharge to4percentwitheffect from thesame
date.21
17WT/BOP/R/23, 19February 1997.
18WT/BOP/INF/6, 16July1997; andWT/BOP/INF/6/Corr.1, 24July1997.
19WT/BOP/N/15, 24January 1997; WT/BOP/N/16, 19February 1997.
20WT/BOP/N/22, 15May 1997.
21WT/BOP/N/26, 15July1997; WT/BOP/N/30, 13October 1997.WT/BOP/R/37
Page 5Table 1
BOP CONSULTATIONS IN1997
Member LastConsultation Follow up
Bangladesh May1997 TheCommittee recommended thatBangladesh holdfullconsultations in1998 ornolaterthanMay1999.
Bulgaria July1997 TheCommittee decided torecommend totheCouncil thatBulgaria bedeemed incompliance withitsWTO obligations.
Bulgaria lowered its5percentsurcharge to4percenton1July1997.
Czech Republic July1997 TheCzech Republic abolished theimport deposit scheme, introduced on21April 1997, on21August 1997.
Hungary September 1996 Hungary eliminated theimport surcharge on1July1997.
India January andJune1997 Views expressed intheCommittee arerecorded inWT/BOP/R/32.
Nigeria March andJuly1997 Noconclusion. Consultations toresume inFebruary 1998.
Pakistan November 1997 TheCommittee concluded onthebasis ofatimeschedule forremoval ofthemeasures tobesubmitted within twelve months.
Poland June1995 Poland eliminated thesurcharge on1January 1997.
Slovakia October 1997 Slovakia eliminated a7.5percentsurcharge imposed in1994 on1January 1997. On1Mayitadopted animport deposit
scheme which wasreplaced bya7percentsurcharge on21July.
SriLanka November 1995 Consultations tobeheldinFebruary 1998.
Tunisia June1997 Tunisia agreed tophase outrestrictions by1July2000.
Turkey June1995 Turkey disinvoked thebalance-of-payments provisions asof1January 1997.SECTION X
COMMITTEE ONBUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIONWORLD TRADE WT/BFA/34
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION
(97-5329)
Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration
ANNUAL REPORT (1997)
1. Inaccordance withtheprocedures foranannual overview ofWTO activities andforreporting
under theWTO, adopted bytheGeneral Council on15November 1995 (WT/GC/M/8, item11),a
report ontheactivities oftheWTO Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration in1997ishereby
submitted.
2. Itwillberecalled thattheCommittee metonanumber ofoccasions andhaspresented reports
totheGeneral Council onaregular basis.1Thisreport willthencover themajor areas theCommittee
hasdealtwithinthecourse oftheyeartodate.
I. ON-GOING RESPONSIBILITIES
3. TheCommittee monitored onaregular basis thefinancial andbudgetary situation ofthe
Organization, thereceipt ofcontributions including theimplementation oftherelated schemes and
measures pertaining toreceipt ofcontributions, andexamined theFinal Position ofthe1996 Budget
andtheDirector-General 'sFinancial Report onthe1996Accounts andReport oftheExternal Auditor.
ItalsodealtwiththeDirector-General 'sbudget proposals for1997 andthe1996 surplus.
II. MAJOR AREAS OFACTIVITIES
A. Review oftheApplication oftheHeadquarters Agreement
4. TheHeadquarters Agreement, signed withtheSwiss authorities in1995, foresaw anevaluation
oftheimplementation oftheagreement. Tothisend,aworking group, within theframework ofthe
Committee, headed bytheChairman andconsisting ofdelegates ofWTO Members aswellas
representatives fromtheSecretariat andtheStaffCouncil wasformed. Adocument compiling allthe
comments oftheMembers aswellasthose from theSecretariat onthemodality ofapplying the
Headquarters Agreement, wassubmitted totheSwiss authorities. Twomeetings were convened on
17Juneand17SeptembertoreviewtheimplementationoftheHeadquartersAgreement.Theconclusions
ofthediscussions wereforwarded totheCommittee which approved them.2Nofuture meeting was
scheduled; however, discussions could beheldshould theneedarise.
B. NewWTO Members
5. Inthecourse of1997, theCommittee formulated recommendations totheGeneral Council
onassessments tothebudget andadvances totheWorking Capital Fund upontheaccession totheWTO
ofthefollowing newMembers: (i)Congo, (ii)Democratic Republic oftheCongo, (iii)Mongolia,
(iv)Niger, and(v)Panama.
./.
1Reports: WT/BFA/30 covering themeeting of21February 1997; WT/BFA/31 covering themeeting
of21May 1997; WT/BFA/32 covering themeetings of23and29September, and7October 1997; and
WT/BFA/33 covering themeetings of21and27November 1997.
2Report WT/BFA/SPEC/12WT/BFA/34
Page 2
C. UN/WTO Cooperation withregard totheInternational Trade Centre 's(ITC) Budgetary
Arrangements
6. Following thedecision oftheGeneral Council taken inApril 1995, theITCpresented its
1998 budget intheformat required bytheWTO budget preparation andreporting procedures. The
factthatITChadbeenrequested topresent itsbudget informats thatwould satisfy boththeWTO and
theUNbudgetary requirements entailed adualaccounting exercise which would inevitably leadto
additionalcosts.TheCommitteeconsideredthattheissueinvolvedcoordinationandcooperationbetween
international organizations, andthatMembers should inform theirdelegates tointervene inNewYork
inorder toidentify asolution. TheChairman, together withtheSecretariat should alsoengage in
anegotiation process withtheUNinorder toarrive atasatisfactory solution.
D. Measures infavour ofLeast Developed Countries
(a) Least Developed Countries inCategory IV
7. WithregardtotheeligibilityofLeastDevelopedCountriestotechnicalassistance,theCommittee
formulated arecommendation totheGeneral Council totheeffect thatWTO Members which areLeast
Developed Countries would beexempt from application oftheadministrative measure which states
that"Inactive Members would bedenied access totraining andtechnical assistance".
(b) High-Level Meeting ontheLeast Developed Countries
8. TheCommittee recommended totheGeneral Council thatinviewofthefactthatthemeeting
wastheresult ofaMinisterial Decision, therequirement fora13percentoverhead ontheTrust Fund
tofinance themeeting should bewaived.
(c) Further measures toavoid marginalization ofLeast Developed Countries
9. TheCommittee agreed thatmeasures toencourage theleastdeveloped countries toparticipate
moreintheactivities oftheWTO should beidentified. Inprinciple, thefinancing ofschemes tofacilitate
thepayment ofarrears intheframework oftheactivities oftheWTO through voluntary contributions
metwithagreement. Itwasnoted thattheleveloftheminimum contribution would bepartofthe
discussions in1998 inthecontext ofthereview ofthefunctioning ofthesystem regarding thebasis
fortheassessment ofcontributions tothebudget oftheWTO, asdecided bytheGeneral Council
(WT/GC/M/8).SECTION XI
COMMITTEE ONREGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTSWORLD TRADE WT/REG/3
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5244)
Committee onRegional Trade Agreements
REPORT (1997) OFTHE
COMMITTEE ONREGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
TOTHE GENERAL COUNCIL
Chairman: Mr.JohnWeekes (Canada)
INTRODUCTION
1. In1997, theCommittee onRegional Trade Agreements (CRTA) continued tobechaired by
Mr.J.Weekes (Canada). Mr.M.-J. Berthet (Uruguay), Mr.S.Harbinson (Hong Kong, China)
Mr.J.Ravaloson (Madagascar) andMr.L.Willems (Belgium) served asVice-Chairmen, with
Mr.C.Bouah-Kamon (Côte d'Ivoire) andMr.J.-M. Noirfalisse (Belgium) replacing Mr.Ravaloson
andMr.Willems inthelatter partoftheyear.
2. Bytheyear'send,theCommittee willhaveheldeight meetings. Minutes arecontained in
documents WT/REG/M/8-15. There hasalsobeenaseries ofinformal consultations.
3. TheCommittee continued itswork in1997 inaccordance withitsterms ofreference1.
EXAMINATION OFREGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
Procedures tofacilitate andimprove theexamination process
4. Foritem(c)ofitsterms ofreference, theCommittee worked tofacilitate andstandardize the
provision ofinformation fortheexamination ofRTAs liberalizing tradeinservices. AtitsTenth Session
theCommittee tooknoteofthenon-binding, voluntary Chairman 'sGuidelines assetoutinthe"Standard
Format forInformation onEconomic Integration Agreements"2.Thisdocument closely mirrors the
"Standard Format forInformation onRegional Trade Agreements"3,which theCommittee hadtaken
noteofin1996. Eversince theCommittee tooknoteoftheStandard Formats, parties tomostRTAs
under examination haveopted topresent information inthisform, allowing amore structured and
streamlined examination process.
1Document WT/L/127 contains theDecision oftheGeneral Council which established theCommittee
onRegional Trade Agreements andprovided itsterms ofreference.
2WT/REG/W/14.
3WT/REG/W/6.WT/REG/3
Page 2
5. AlsoattheTenth Session, theCommittee tooknoteofanon-binding, voluntary Chairman 's
document on"Guidelines onProcedures toFacilitate andImprove theExamination Process"4.The
GuidelinesstresstheimportanceofanearlyandcontinuedflowofinformationonRTAstotheCommittee
andsetoutanumber ofyardsticks toguide theprocess. They alsospelloutanewapproach toreports
onexaminations, whereby reports aretoconsist ofbotha"factual record", based onsummary records
ofstatements bydelegations inthecourse ofanexamination, aswellastheCommittee 's"conclusions",
inaccordance withtheterms ofreference oftheexamination.
Progress incarrying outexaminations
6. Under item(a)ofitsterms ofreference, theCommittee ismandated toexamine regional trade
agreements (RTAs) referred toitbytheCouncil forTrade inGoods (CTG), theCouncil forTrade
inServices (CTS) ortheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment (CTD), depending onthetypeof
agreement.
7. In1997, theCommittee made headway in"clearing thebacklog" aswellasinhandling new
agreements referred toit.Ofthe45RTAs referred toitsofar5,theCommittee hascompleted factual
examinations for26agreements andiswellalong intheprocess foranother 12;theremaining seven,
havingbeenreferredtotheCommitteeforexaminationonlyintheautumn,arescheduledforexamination
nextyear. (SeeAttachment.)
8. Theprocess ofelaborating conclusions hasnowbegun for20oftheRTAs whose factual
examinations arecomplete.
REPORTING ONTHE OPERATION OFAGREEMENTS
9. Tofulfil item(b)ofitsterms ofreference, theCommittee hashelddiscussions onthebasis
ofanInformal Note bytheSecretariat andafollow-up Chairman 'sProposal toconsider howRTA
reporting might bestbeactivated. Discussion istocontinue attheCommittee 'sDecember Session.
SYSTEMIC IMPLICATIONS OFREGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS AND INITIATIVES FOR
THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM
10. Inlinewithitem(d)ofitsterms ofreference, theCommittee 'swork during thefirstpartof
theyearfocused onidentifying systemic issues astheyemerged from RTA examinations, systemic
discussionsorwrittensubmissions.Havingearmarkedtheseissuesforinclusioninanevolvingchecklist6,
theCommittee thenbegan considering approaches foranalysing them. After aseries ofinformal
consultations, theCommittee atitsThirteenth Session agreed tothefollowing approach7:first, the
Secretariat istocompile anddistribute factual information onRTAs; second, theCommittee willtackle
4WT/REG/W/15.
5Todate, 37RTAs have been referred totheCommittee bytheCTG, seven bytheCTSandoneby
theCTD.
6WT/REG/W/12 andCorr.1 andWT/REG/W/16.
7SeeWT/REG/M/13, paragraphs 5and6.WT/REG/3
Page 3
thesystemic issues withathree-pronged approach, encompassing legal analyses ofrelevant WTO
provisions, horizontal comparisons ofRTAs anddebate onthecontext andeconomic aspects ofRTAs.
Documents prepared byMembers andtheSecretariat aretoserve asthebasis forthese discussions.
Attherequest oftheCommittee, theSecretariat prepared alistofRTAs notified totheGATT/WTO
which arecurrently inforce.
11. AttheFourteenth Session, debate waslaunched ontheconcepts of"other regulations of
commerce" and"substantially allthetrade". Twodelegations presented papers onthese issues, and
theSecretariat provided background notes onthequestion ofother regulations ofcommerce.8For
future meetings, airgrams willindicate what issues andsub-issues areontheagenda, toencourage
Members toprepare fordeeper discussion.
CONCLUSION
12. TheCommittee hasmade progress incarrying outitsmandate. Much ofitstimehasbeen
allocated tothedetailed examination ofindividual RTAs. Here, theuseoftheStandard Formats and
oftheGuidelines hasledtoamore efficient useoftimeandresources, allowing theCommittee to
make greatstrides inclearing thebacklog (carrying outthework ofthe32working parties itreplaced)
andtotakeonanother 13examinations aswell. Initswork onsystemic issues, theCommittee has
laidasolid foundation onwhich itwillcontinue tobuild.
8WT/REG/W/17 andAdd.1 (Notes bytheSecretariat), WT/REG/W/18 (Australia) andWT/REG/W/19
(Hong Kong, China).WT/REG/3
Page 4
ATTACHMENT
Status ofExamination ofRTAs
RTAs examined in1997 (38)
Agreement Status ofExamination
ECEnlargement -Goods Factual examination inprocess
EC-Czech Republic Factual examination completed
EC-Hungary Factual examination completed
EC-Poland Factual examination completed
EC-Slovak Republic Factual examination completed
EC-Bulgaria Factual examination completed
EC-Romania Factual examination completed
EC-Estonia Factual examination completed
EC-Latvia Factual examination completed
EC-Lithuania Factual examination completed
EC-Turkey Factual examination inprocess
EC-Faroe Islands Factual examination inprocess
EFTA-Hungary Factual examination completed
EFTA-Israel Factual examination completed
EFTA-Poland Factual examination completed
EFTA-Bulgaria Factual examination completed
EFTA-Romania Factual examination completed
EFTA-Slovenia Factual examination completed
EFTA-Estonia Factual examination completed
EFTA-Latvia Factual examination completed
EFTA-Lithuania Factual examination completed
NAFTA- Goods Factual examination completed
MERCOSUR Factual examination inprocess
Canada-Israel Factual examination completed
Iceland-Faroe Islands Factual examination completed
Norway-Faroe Islands Factual examination completed
Switzerland-Faroe Islands Factual examination completedWT/REG/3
Page 5
Agreement Status ofExamination
CEFTA9Factual examination inprocess
Slovenia-Bulgaria Factual examination inprocess
Czech Republic-Bulgaria Factual examination inprocess
Slovak Republic-Bulgaria Factual examination inprocess
NAFTA- Services Factual examination completed
ANZCERTA- Services Factual examination inprocess
European Union- Services Factual examination inprocess
ECEnlargement-Services Factual examination inprocess
EC-Hungary- Services Factual examination inprocess
EC-Poland- Services Factual examination inprocess
EC-Slovak Republic- Services Factual examination inprocess
Other RTAs under examination (7)
Agreement Status ofExamination
EC-Slovenia Factual examination notyetcommenced
EC-The Palestine Liberation
OrganizationFactual examination notyetcommenced
Canada-Chile Factual examination notyetcommenced
Czech Republic-Latvia Factual examination notyetcommenced
Czech Republic-Lithuania Factual examination notyetcommenced
Slovenia-Estonia Factual examination notyetcommenced
Romania-Moldova Factual examination notyetcommenced
9WiththeaccessionofSloveniaandRomaniatotheCEFTA,thefollowingbilateralagreemen ts,previously
notifiedtotheWTO,arenomoreinforce:Slovenia-Czech Republic,Slovenia-Hungary,Slovenia-SlovakRepublic,
Czech Republic-Romania andSlovak Republic-Romania.SECTION XII
WORKING GROUP ONTHE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRADE AND INVESTMENTWORLD TRADE WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
9December 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5399)
Working Group ontheRelationship
between Trade andInvestment
REPORT (1997) TOTHE GENERAL COUNCIL
Revision
1. TheWorking Group ontheRelationship between Trade andInvestment wasestablished by
adecision taken attheWTO Ministerial Conference heldinDecember 1996. Therelevant paragraph of
theMinisterial Declaration (WT/MIN(96)/DEC) isreproduced inAnnex 1tothisreport.
2. Following theagreement bytheGeneral Council atitsmeeting of24April 1997 tothe
appointment ofAmbassador Krirk-Krai Jirapaet (Thailand) asChairman oftheWorking Group onthe
Relationship between Trade andInvestment1,theWorking Group heldformal meetings on2and3June,
6and7October and8December 1997. Thedates ofthese meetings weredetermined inlightofthe
instruction inparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration thatcareful attention begiven
tocoordinating meetings withthose ofrelevant UNCTAD bodies. Reports onthefirsttwomeetings
havebeencirculated indocuments WT/WGTI/M/1 and2.Areport onthethird meeting willbe
circulated shortly asdocument WT/WGTI/M/3.
3. Atthemeeting of2and3June, Members made general statements onthenature ofthework
tobepursuedunderthemandatecontainedintheSingaporeMinisterialDeclarationandidentifiedspecific
issues forstudy intheWorking Group. Written submissions weremade bytheEuropean Community
anditsmember States, India andSwitzerland (WT/WGTI/W/1-3). TheWorking Group tooknote
ofaChecklist ofIssues Suggested forStudy prepared bytheChairman inthelightofthesuggestions
made bydelegations asabasisfortheconsideration oftheorganization ofthefuture work oftheGroup.
ThisChecklist isreproduced inAnnex 2tothisreport. TheWorking Group alsodiscussed WTO
provisions onmatters related toinvestment, based onaninformal Secretariat note(No.2988). With
respect tothecooperation encouraged intheSingapore Ministerial Declaration withUNCTAD and
otherappropriate international fora,representatives ofUNCTAD, theOECD andtheWorld Bankmade
statements atthefirstmeeting ontheiractivities relevant totheWorking Group (WT/WGTI/W/4-6).
Inaddition, theWorking Group considered aninformal Secretariat notecontaining factual information
onrelevant activities andinitiatives inother fora(No.2843). TheWorking Group noted thattheIMF
andtheWorld Bank hadobserver status intheWorking Group pursuant tothecooperation agreements
concluded between theWTO andtheseorganizations andagreed toinvite UNCTAD toattend itsfuture
meetings.
4. Atthemeeting of6and7October, theWorking Group started itssubstantive discussion on
thefirstthree main areas identified intheChecklist ofIssues Suggested forStudy: (I)implications
oftherelationship between trade andinvestment fordevelopment andeconomic growth; (II)the
economic relationship between trade andinvestment; and(III)stocktaking andanalysis ofexisting
international instruments andactivities regarding tradeandinvestment. Written submissions onsome
oftheseissues werereceived fromtheEuropean Community anditsmember States, Hong Kong China,
1Seedocument WT/L/215 .WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
Page 2
Japan andPoland (WT/WGTI/W/10-13). Onthefirstissue, theWorking Group hadbefore it
contributions byfiveinternational organizations (OECD, UNCTAD, World Bank, IMFandUNIDO),
which hadbeenrequested attheJunemeeting toprovide asummary ofworkdoneintheseorganizations
onthismatter (WT/WGTI/W/8 andAddenda 1-4). Discussion ofthesecond issue wasbased ona
WTO Secretariat noteontherelationship between tradeandforeign direct investment (WT/WGTI/W/7
andCorr.1). Onthethird issue oftheChecklist, theWorking Group continued itsexamination of
WTO provisions onmatters related toinvestment andtooknoteofasupplementary notebytheWTO
Secretariat ondevelopments regarding activities andinitiatives inother fora(No.5279). Inthis
connection, theWorking Group alsoreceived awritten contribution fromtheAPEC Investment Experts
Group onongoing work oninvestment inthecontext ofAPEC (WT/WGTI/W/9).
5. Atitsmeeting of8December, theWorking Group continued itswork onitems I-IIIofthe
Checklist ofIssues Suggested forStudy. Inaddition tothesubmissions andbackground documents
which hadbeencirculated inconnection withtheprevious meeting, newwritten submissions were
presented bytheUnited States, Colombia, Korea, Cuba, Japan andCanada (WT/WGTI/W/14-19).
TheWorking Group agreed tocontinue itsconsideration ofthese items atitsnextmeeting. Italso
decided ontheorganization ofitswork under itemIVoftheChecklist. Regarding pending requests
forobserver status byanumber ofinternational intergovernmental organizations2,theWorking Group
agreed torevert tothismatter atitsnextmeeting inthelightoftheongoing process ofconsultations
intheframework oftheGeneral Council andtorenew itsinvitation totheOECD andUNIDO toattend
itsnextmeeting onthesame basis asthemeetings inOctober andDecember. TheWorking Group
agreed toholdmeetings in1998 on30-31 March, 16-17 June, 1-2October and23-24 November.
2Energy Charter Secretariat, Latin American Economic System, Organization ofAfrican Unity,
Organization ofAmerican States, Organisation forEconomic Cooperation andDevelopment, Organisation of
theIslamic Conference, United Nations Industrial Development Organization.WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
Page 3
ANNEX 1
Singapore Ministerial Declaration, Paragraph 20
"20. Having regard totheexisting WTO provisions onmatters related toinvestment andcompetition
policy andthebuilt-in agenda inthese areas, including under theTRIMs Agreement, andonthe
understanding thatthework undertaken shallnotprejudge whether negotiations willbeinitiated in
thefuture, wealsoagree to:
establish aworking group toexamine therelationship between trade andinvestment;
and
establish aworking group tostudy issues raised byMembers relating totheinteraction
between trade andcompetition policy, including anti-competitive practices, inorder
toidentify anyareas thatmaymerit further consideration intheWTO framework.
These groups shall draw upon eachother'swork ifnecessary andalsodraw upon andbewithout
prejudicetotheworkinUNCTADandotherappropriateintergovernmentalfora.AsregardsUNCTAD,
wewelcome thework under wayasprovided forintheMidrand Declaration andthecontribution it
canmake totheunderstanding ofissues. Intheconduct ofthework oftheworking groups, we
encourage cooperation withtheabove organizations tomake thebestuseofavailable resources and
toensure thatthedevelopment dimension istaken fullyintoaccount. TheGeneral Council willkeep
thework ofeachbody under review, andwilldetermine aftertwoyears howthework ofeachbody
should proceed. Itisclearly understood thatfuture negotiations, ifany,regarding multilateral disciplines
inthese areas, willtakeplace onlyafteranexplicit consensus decision istaken among WTO Members
regarding suchnegotiations."WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
Page 4
ANNEX 2
3093
Working Group ontheRelationship 4June1997
between Trade andInvestment
CHECKLIST OFISSUES SUGGESTED FOR STUDY
Non-Paper bytheChair
Revision
Itwaswidely recognized thattheWorking Group 'swork programme should beopen, non-
prejudicial andcapable ofevolution asthework proceeds. Itwasalsoemphasized thatallelements,
notonlycategory I,should bepermeated bythedevelopment dimension. Particular attention should
bepaidtothesituation ofleast-developed countries. Inpursuing theitems ofitswork programme,
theWorking Group should avoid unnecessary duplication ofwork done inUNCTAD andother
organizations.
_______________
I. Implications oftherelationship between trade andinvestment fordevelopment andeconomic
growth, including:
- economic parameters relating tomacroeconomic stability, suchasdomestic savings,
fiscal position andthebalance ofpayments;
- industrialization, privatization, employment, income andwealth distribution,
competitiveness, transfer oftechnology andmanagerial skills;
- domestic conditions ofcompetition andmarket structures.
Inthiswork, theWorking Group should seektobenefit from theexperience ofMembers at
different stages ofdevelopment andtakeaccount ofrecent trends inforeign investment flows
andoftherelationship between different kinds offoreign investment.
II. Theeconomic relationship between trade andinvestment:
- thedegree ofcorrelation between trade andinvestment flows;
- thedeterminants oftherelationship between trade andinvestment;
- theimpactofbusinessstrategies,practicesanddecision-makingontradeandinvestment,
including through casestudies;
- therelationship between themobility ofcapital andthemobility oflabour;WT/WGTI/1/Rev.1
Page 5
- theimpact oftrade policies andmeasures oninvestment flows, including theeffect
ofthegrowing number ofbilateral andregional arrangements;
- theimpact ofinvestment policies andmeasures ontrade;
- country experiences regarding national investment policies, including investment
incentives anddisincentives;
- therelationship between foreign investment andcompetition policy.
III. Stocktaking andanalysis ofexisting international instruments andactivities regarding trade
andinvestment:
- existing WTO provisions;
- bilateral, regional, plurilateral andmultilateral agreements andinitiatives;
- implications fortrade andinvestment flows ofexisting international instruments.
IV. Onthebasis ofthework above:1
- identification ofcommon features anddifferences, including overlaps andpossible
conflicts, aswellaspossible gapsinexisting international instruments;
- advantages anddisadvantages ofentering intobilateral, regional andmultilateral rules
oninvestment, including from adevelopment perspective;
- therightsandobligationsofhomeandhostcountriesandofinvestorsandhostcountries;
- therelationship between existing andpossible future international cooperation on
investment policy andexisting andpossible future international cooperation on
competition policy.
1Thequestion ofthetiming ofwork under section IVwasthesubject ofadecision taken bytheWorking
Group atitsmeeting of2-3June 1997.SECTION XIII
WORKING GROUP ONTHE INTERACTION BETWEEN
TRADE AND COMPETITION POLICYWORLD TRADE WT/WGTCP/1
28November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5284)
Working Group ontheInteraction
between Trade andCompetition Policy
REPORT (1997) TOTHE GENERAL COUNCIL
1. TheWorking Group ontheInteraction between Trade andCompetition Policy wasestablished
byadecision taken attheWTO Ministerial Conference heldinDecember 1996. Paragraph 20ofthe
Ministerial Declaration provides thattheGeneral Council willkeepthework oftheWorking Group
under review.
2. Following theagreement bytheGeneral Council atitsmeeting of24April 1997 tothe
appointment ofProfessor Frédéric Jenny (France) asChairman oftheWorking Group ontheInteraction
between Trade andCompetition Policy1,theWorking Group heldformal meetings on7and8July,
on16and17Septemberandon27and28November1997.Thedatesofthesemeetingsweredetermined
inlightoftheinstruction inparagraph 22oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration thatcareful attention
begiven tocoordinating meetings withthose ofrelevant UNCTAD bodies. Reports onthefirsttwo
meetings havebeencirculated indocuments WT/WGTCP/M/1 and2.Areport onthethirdmeeting
willbecirculated shortly asdocument WT/WGTCP/M/3.
3. Atthemeeting of7and8July, Members made general statements onthenature ofthework
tobepursuedunderthemandatecontainedintheSingaporeMinisterialDeclarationandidentifiedspecific
issues forstudy intheWorking Group. Written submissions weremade bytheEuropean Community
anditsmember States, Switzerland, Peru, Japan, theRepublic ofKorea, theUnited States, Canada,
Australia, Egypt, Pakistan, Norway, Mexico, Venezuela, Hong Kong China, Nigeria, thePhilippines
onbehalf ofASEAN WTO Members, NewZealand, Poland andIndia (WT/WGTCP/W/1-10, 12-16,
19-20 and23-24, respectively). Representatives ofUNCTAD, theOECD, theWorld BankandAPEC
member economies made statements ontheiractivities relevant totheWorking Group (documents
WT/WGTCP/W/17-18,and21-22,respectively).TheWorkingGroupalsodiscussedcompetition-related
provisionsinexistingWTOagreements,basedonaninformalnotepreparedbytheSecretariat(document
No.3347). TheWorking Group tooknoteofthepaper, while alsonoting thatitdidnotprejudge
thework oftheGroup. TheWorking Group noted thattheIMFandtheWorld Bank hadobserver
status intheWorking Group pursuant tothecooperation agreements concluded between theWTO and
these Organizations andagreed toinvite UNCTAD toattend itsfuture meetings. TheWorking Group
alsoagreed togrant observer status totheOECD, onthebasis thatthere would bereciprocity with
respect toproceedings, documents andother aspects ofobservership. TheWorking Group tooknote
ofaChecklist ofIssues Suggested forStudy prepared bytheChairman, inthelightofthesuggestions
made bydelegations, asabasis fortheorganization ofthefuture work oftheGroup; thisChecklist
isreproduced inAnnex 1tothisreport. TheWorking Group agreed toawork programme formeetings
intheautumn of1997 andthefirstpartof1998, which istobefound atAnnex 2tothisreport.
4. Atthemeeting of16and17September, theWorking Group started itssubstantive discussion
onthefirsttwoareas identified intheChecklist ofIssues Suggested forStudy: (I)therelationship
between theobjectives, principles, concepts, scope andinstruments oftrade andcompetition policy,
1Seedocument WT/L/215WT/WGTCP/1
Page 2
andtheirrelationship todevelopment andeconomic growth; and(II)stocktaking andanalysis ofexisting
instruments, standards andactivities regarding trade andcompetition policy, including ofexperience
withtheirapplication,takingupinturneachofthethreesub-items,namelynationalcompetitionpolicies,
lawsandinstrumentsastheyrelatetotrade,existingWTOprovisions,andbilateral,regional,plurilateral
andmultilateral agreements andinitiatives. Written submissions oneither orbothofthese areas were
received from Hong Kong China, Hungary, Singapore, Switzerland, NewZealand, Norway, Japan,
thePhilippines onbehalf ofASEAN WTO Members, theEuropean Community anditsmember States,
theUnitedStates,Peru,theRepublicofKorea(twosubmissions),Romania,Australia,Turkey,Pakistan,
Canada andMorocco (WT/WGTCP/W/26-43 and56).TheWorking Group hadafurther discussion
oftheinformal notebytheSecretariat oncompetition-related provisions inexisting WTO agreements,
noting thatitinnowayrestricted thescope ofissues tobeexamined bytheGroup anddidnotpreclude
anyWTO provision from being raised. Inresponse toarequest, theGroup agreed toinvite SELA
toattend itsnextmeeting, asanobserver, onanadhocbasis.
5. Atitsmeeting of27-28 November, theWorking Group continued itswork onitems IandII
oftheChecklist. Itdivided itsdiscussion ofitemIintotwocomponents: therelationship between
theobjectives, principles, scope andinstruments oftradeandcompetition policy; andtherelationship
oftrade andcompetition policy todevelopment andeconomic growth. Asattheprevious meeting,
itemIIwastaken upbyexamining inturneachofthethree sub-items. Written submissions were
received fromColombia, theEuropean Community anditsmember States, Kenya, NewZealand, the
UnitedStates,HongKongChina(twosubmissions),Canada(twosubmissions),Japan,Mexico,Argentina
(WT/WGTCP/W/44-48,50-55and57),TurkeyandBrazil(non-papers).Withrespecttotherelationship
between competition policy, international trade anddevelopment, theWorking Group wasinformed
ofaSymposium onthissubject, jointly organized bytheWTO, UNCTAD andWorld BankSecretariats,
thatwould beheldon29November 1997. TheWorking Group agreed torenew theinvitation toSELA
toattend itsnextmeeting asanobserver onanadhocbasisandagreed torevert toarequest forobserver
status from theOrganization oftheIslamic Conference atitsnextmeeting. With regard tothe
organization ofitsfuture work, theWorking Group agreed tomeetonthefollowing dates in1998:
11-13 March, 27-28 July,23-25 September and17-19 November. Atthefirstthreeofthesemeetings,
theGroup willconsider thevarious elements ofitemIII,assetoutinthework programme atAnnex 2.
Itwasunderstood thattheGroup would dothiswiththedegree offlexibility necessary toensure that
alltheelements ofitemIIIoftheChecklist wereadequately discussed. TheGroup willalsodealat
itsfirstmeeting in1998 withsome outstanding issues from theNovember 1997 meeting. Itwas
understood that,atthethird andfourth meetings, anopportunity would beprovided torevisit any
elements ofthework programme onwhich Members feltfurther work wasnecessary andalsotohave
ageneral review ofthework oftheGroup withaviewtothepreparation andadoption oftheGroup 's
report.WT/WGTCP/1
Page 3
ANNEX 1
CHECKLIST OFISSUES SUGGESTED FOR STUDY
Non-Paper bytheChair
Revision
Itwaswidely recognized thattheWorking Group 'swork programme should beopen, non-
prejudicial andcapable ofevolution asthework proceeds. Itwasalsoemphasized thatallelements
should bepermeated bythedevelopment dimension. Particular attention should bepaidtothesituation
ofleast-developed countries. Inpursuing theitems ofitswork programme, theWorking Group should
drawuponandavoid unnecessary duplication ofthework ofother WTO bodies concerned withspecific
trade measures aswellasthework under wayinUNCTAD andother organizations.
_______________
I. Relationship between theobjectives, principles, concepts, scope andinstruments oftrade and
competition policy.
Their relationship todevelopment andeconomic growth.
II. Stocktaking andanalysis ofexisting instruments, standards andactivities regarding trade and
competition policy, including ofexperience withtheirapplication:
- national competition policies, lawsandinstruments astheyrelate totrade;
- existing WTO provisions;
- bilateral, regional, plurilateral andmultilateral agreements andinitiatives.
III. Interaction between trade andcompetition policy:
- theimpact ofanti-competitive practices ofenterprises andassociations oninternational
trade;
- theimpact ofstatemonopolies, exclusive rights andregulatory policies oncompetition
andinternational trade;
- therelationship between thetrade-related aspects ofintellectual property rights and
competition policy;
- therelationship between investment andcompetition policy;
- theimpact oftrade policy oncompetition.
IV. Identification ofanyareas thatmaymerit further consideration intheWTO framework.WT/WGTCP/1
Page 4
ANNEX 2
Work Programme forMeetings, Autumn 1997 andFirstPartof1998
ThefollowingindicativeworkprogrammeidentifiesissuesdrawnfromtheChairman'sChecklist
onwhich theGroup willfocus inparticular ateachofthemeetings inautumn 1997 andthefirstpart
of1998.
16-17 September 1997 Items IandII
27-28 November 1997 Continuation ofItems IandII
Firstmeeting 1998 ItemIII:
- General discussion.
- First bullet point (theimpact ofanti-competitive
practices ofenterprises and associations on
international trade).
Second meeting 1998 ItemIII:
- Second bullet point (theimpact ofstatemonopolies,
exclusive rights andregulatory policies oncompetition
andinternational trade).
- Fifth bullet point (theimpact oftrade policy on
competition).
Third meeting 1998 ItemIII:
- Third bullet point (therelationship between the
trade-related aspects ofintellectual property rights and
competition policy).
- Fourth bullet point (the relationship between
investment andcompetition policy).SECTION XIV
WORKING GROUP ONTRANSPARENCY INGOVERNMENT PROCUREMENTWORLD TRADE WT/WGTGP/1
19November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5099)
Working Group onTransparency
inGovernment Procurement
REPORT (1997) TOTHE GENERAL COUNCIL
1. TheWorkingGrouponTransparencyinGovernmentProcurementwasestablishedbyadecision
attheWTO Ministerial Conference heldinDecember 1996, "toconduct astudy ontransparency in
government procurement practices, taking intoaccount national policies, and,based onthisstudy,
todevelop elements forinclusion inanappropriate agreement".
2. Following theagreement bytheGeneral Council atitsmeeting of24April 1997 tothe
appointment ofAmbassador Werner Corrales Leal(Venezuela) asChairman oftheWorking Group
onTransparency inGovernment Procurement1,theWorking Group held formal meetings on
23May1997, 21July1997 and3and4November 1997. Reports onthese meetings have been
circulated indocuments WT/WGTGP/M/1-3.2
3. Atthemeeting of23May, presentations weremade bytherepresentatives oftheUNCITRAL
(theUnited Nations Commission onInternational Trade Law) andtheWorld Bank ontherelevant
instruments andactivities relating togovernment procurement intheirorganizations (WT/WGTGP/W/1
and2),followed bycomments andquestions andanswers with regard tothese presentations
(WT/WGTGP/M/1,Annex).MembersmadegeneralremarksonhowtheWorkingGroupcouldproceed
inthestudy phase ofitsmandate. Japan made awritten submission onelements oftransparency in
government procurement (JobNo.2860). TheWorking Group requested theSecretariat toprepare
apaper presenting factual information ontheprovisions related totransparency ininternational
instruments ongovernment procurement procedures (theUNCITRAL Model LawonProcurement
ofGoods, Construction andServices; theWorld Bank Procurement Guidelines; thePlurilateral WTO
Agreement onGovernment Procurement) andinWTO agreements. With regard totheinformation
already collected onnational practices byother bodies, theWorking Group asked theSecretariat to
make contact withAPEC andtheFTAA toinvite themtomake available whatinformation theycould
share withtheGroup regarding thesurveys theyhadundertaken. Withregard totherelationship between
themandate oftheWorking Group andthatoftheWorking Party onGATS Rules, theWorking Group
agreed that,while theWorking Group 'sindependence should bemaintained vis-à-vis theWorking
Party onGATS Rules, theChairman would seektomaintain contact withtheChair ofthatWorking
Party soastofacilitate anynecessary coordination onpractical matters. TheWorking Group noted
thattheIMFandtheWorld Bankhadobserver status inthisWorking Group pursuant tothecooperation
agreements concluded between theWTO andthese organizations andagreed toinvite UNCITRAL
toattend itsnextmeeting.
1Seedocument WT/L/215
2WT/WGTGP/M/3 tobedistributed
./.WT/WGTGP/1
Page 2
4. Atthemeeting of21July, Members made general statements regarding thedefinition ofthe
conceptoftransparencyingovernmentprocurementinthestudyphaseoftheWorkingGroup'smandate;
ways ofachieving theobjective oftransparency inthelightofthediversity ofprocurement regimes
ofMembers; andtheaspects oftransparency thattheWorking Group should cover initsstudy. The
delegations ofCanada andtheUnited States made written submissions onelements relating to
transparency ingovernment procurement andonguiding principles respectively (JobNos.4099 and
4133). With regard tonational procedures andpractices, theWorking Group hadavailable toit
information received from theAPEC Government Procurement Experts Group (WT/WGTGP/W/4
andS/WPGR/W/21) andanotebytheSecretariat "Synthesis oftheResponses totheQuestionnaire
onGovernment Procurement ofServices", which hadbeenprepared attherequest oftheWorking
Party onGATS Rules (S/WPGR/W/20). TheWorking Group waspresented factual contributions by
thedelegations oftheEuropean Community andNewZealand, describing theirnational procedures
andpracticesrelatingtotransparencyingovernmentprocurement,(WT/WGTGP/W/5andJobNo.5616)
andinvited other Members toprovide similar information. TheWorking Group considered anote
bytheSecretariat on"Transparency-Related Provisions inExisting International Instruments on
Government Procurement Procedures andinWTO Agreements" (WT/WGTGP/W/3) andagreed that
theSecretariat would prepare apaper synthesizing thefactual information onnational procedures and
practices available totheWorking Group together withtheinformation onthetransparency-related
provisions inexisting international instruments. TheWorking Group agreed toinvite theOECD and
SELA toattend itsnextmeeting onanadhocbasis.
5. Atitsmeeting of3and4November, theWorking Group hadbefore itaSecretariat note
synthesizing theinformation onnational procedures andpractices relating totransparency available
intheresponses tothequestionnaire ongovernment procurement ofservices intheWorking Party
onGATS Rules, thesurveys ofgovernment procurement systems ofAPEC economies, thesections
ongovernment procurement inthevarious Trade Policy Review Reports andthecontributions submitted
bydelegations together withtheinformation intheearlier notebytheSecretariat onthetransparency-
related provisions inexisting international instruments (WT/WGTGP/W/6). Itdiscussed theissues
before itbytaking upinturnthesubjects ofsections II-Xofthenote, together withtopic ofspecial
anddifferential treatment fordeveloping countries andtechnical assistance. Written submissions were
presented byKorea, Tunisia andHungary containing factual information ontheirnational procedures
andpractices (WT/WGTGP/W/7-9 respectively) andother written submissions were submitted by
Norway, Switzerland andJapan (JobNos. 5220, 6328 and6329 respectively). TheWorking Group
agreed thattheChairman would draw up,withtheassistance oftheSecretariat, alistoftheissues
thathadbeenraised andthepoints thathadbeenmade onthese issues, under eachoftheitems that
ithaddiscussed. Inresponse toarequest byUNCITRAL, theWorking Group agreed togrant observer
status totheUnited Nations represented byUNCITRAL.SECTION XV
COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS UNDER THE
PLURILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTSWORLD TRADE GPA/19
29October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4747)
Committee onGovernment Procurement
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COMMITTEE ONGOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
I. GENERAL
1. ThisReport issubmitted pursuant toArticle XXIV:7(a) oftheAgreement onGovernment
Procurement, which requires theCommittee toreview annually theimplementation andoperation of
theAgreement andtoinform annually theGeneral Council ofdevelopments during theperiods covered
bysuchreviews.
2. TheAgreement onGovernment Procurement entered intoforceon1January 1996. Theperiod
covered inthisReport isJanuary-September 1997, buttheReport alsoreflects, where necessary, the
work oftheCommittee in1996 (GPA/8 andAdd.1). TheCommittee onGovernment Procurement
heldthree meetings in1997: on24February, 21Mayand29September (GPA/M/5-7).
3. ThefollowingWTOMembersarePartiestotheAgreement:Canada;theEuropeanCommunities
andfifteen member States; Hong Kong, China; Israel; Japan; Korea; Liechtenstein; theKingdom
oftheNetherlands withrespect toAruba; Norway; Singapore; Switzerland andtheUnited States.
NineWTO Members haveobserver status: Argentina; Australia; Bulgaria; Chile; Colombia; Iceland;
Panama; Poland; andTurkey. Two non-WTO members, Chinese Taipei andLatvia, andtwo
intergovernmental organizations, IMFandtheOECD, alsohaveobserver status.
II. IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE AGREEMENT
Modifications ofAppendices totheAgreement
4. Article XXIV:6 oftheAgreement requires Parties tonotify rectifications ofapurely formal
nature orother modifications relating toAppendices Ithrough IV,which setoutthemutually agreed
coverage provided under theAgreement. Consequential rectifications ormodifications become effective
oncetheyareagreed topursuant totheprocedures under thisArticle.
5. Since the1996Report oftheCommittee, theEuropean Community andtheUnited States have
notified modifications toAppendix Iconsequent ontheenlargement oftheEuropean Communities
on1January 1995 toinclude Austria, Finland andSweden. These modifications entered intoforce
on16January 1997 (WT/Let/135). Following anagreement reached between Switzerland andthe
United States, theGeneral Notes toAppendices IofSwitzerland andoftheUnited States havebeen
modified (GPA/W/41 and42)toreflect thereciprocal extension ofthescope oftheAgreement. These
modifications entered intoforce on22June1997(WT/Let/146). Israel andtheEuropean Community
modified their respective Appendices Ireflecting anagreement reached between thetwoParties
(GPA/W/54andGPA/W/55).Themodificationsenteredintoforceon28September1997(WT/Let/184)
andon29September 1997(WT/Let/185). Pursuant totheaccession ofHong Kong totheAgreement
on19June1997, Norway, theEuropean Community andSwitzerland madeconsequential modifications
totheirrespective General Notes toAppendix Ireflecting theextension ofthescope oftheAgreement
toHong Kong (GPA/W/43, GPA/W/44 andGPA/W/47 andAdd.1). These modifications entered
intoforce on29June1997 (WT/Let/152), on9July1997 (WT/Let/162) andon23October 1997GPA/19
Page 2
(WT/Let/194).Duringthereviewperiod,Japan(GPA/W/27andGPA/W/31),Switzerland(GPA/W/45),
Norway (GPA/W/46) andHong Kong, China (GPA/W/56) made rectifications ofaformal nature
relating totheirAppendices. Inaccordance withtheprocedures ofArticle XXIV:6, theserectifications
werecertified respectively on5November 1996 inWT/Let/119, on4January 1997 inWT/Let/134,
on16August 1997 inWT/Let/164, on12July1997 inWT/Let/163, andon5October 1997 in
WT/Let/183). Proposals formodifications relating toAppendices 1-IVhavealsobeennotified by
theEuropean Community (GPA/W/51). Theprocedures areunder wayforputting thesemodifications
intoeffect inaccordance withArticle XXIV:6.
6. TheCommittee alsodiscussed thefollow-up toCanada 'soffer, contained initsAppendix I,
Annexes 2and3,tocover sub-central government entities andenterprises inalltenProvinces, onthe
basisofcommitments received fromtheProvinces, withafinallisting tobeprovided within 18months
aftertheconclusion oftheAgreement. Canada 'sstated position since theentry intoforce ofthe
Agreement, linking thetabling ofitsschedule atthesub-central leveltoachieving increased market
access insectors ofpriority interest toCanadian suppliers andimproving security ofmarket access
through circumscribing theuseofsmall business andother set-aside exceptions under theAgreement,
remained unchanged. Some other Parties expressed theirdisappointment overthesituation, stressed
theneedforCanada tohonour itscommitments andconsidered thattheproblems raised byCanada
withrespect toexpanded coverage oftheAgreement could onlybeaddressed onceCanada hadcome
forward withoffers pursuant toitscommitments initsAnnexes 2and3.Canada hasasserted that
itdidnotundertake obligations regarding Annexes 2and3,andhasreiterated thatitscoverage was
tobebased oncommitments received from theProvinces. Canada hasalsoasserted that,asno
commitments havebeenreceived, itisunder noobligation toputforward anofferunder theseAnnexes.
Loose-leaf System forAppendices
7. Asagreed atitsmeeting of4June1996, theCommittee willestablish aloose-leaf system with
legal effect tomaintain uptodate theAppendices totheAgreement. Atitsmeeting on
24February1997,theCommitteeagreedtotheproceduresforsubsequentmodificationstotheloose-leaf
system (GPA/W/35). Inaddition tobeing made available inhard-copy form, theloose-leaf system
andfuture neworreplacement pages willbecirculated toParties andotherWTO Members inelectronic
formthrough theWTO Document Dissemination Facility. Anup-to-date copyoftheloose-leaf system
willalsobeavailable tothegeneral public through thegovernment procurement siteontheWTO Home
PageontheInternet.
Government Procurement SiteontheWTO Home Page
8. AsiteonGovernment Procurement wasestablished attheWTO Home PageontheInternet
inorder toprovide information tothepublic atlarge ondevelopments relating totheAgreement on
Government Procurement. Thesection ofthesiteontheAgreement onGovernment Procurement
includes anoverview, thetextoftheAgreement, alistofMembers andobservers, atableofthresholds
ofindividual Parties, information onthework oftheCommittee (Decisions oftheCommittee, Annual
Report totheGeneral Council) andinformation ondispute settlement. Where appropriate, linkage
isprovided toWTO documents on-line. Anup-to-date copyoftheloose-leaf system ofAppendices
willalsobeaccessible onthissite. Other sections onthissiterelate totheactivities oftheWorking
Group onTransparency inGovernment Procurement andoftheWorking Party onGATS Rules. Links
arealso provided toother sites ongovernment procurement. The site address is
http://www.wto.org/wto/govt/govt.htm.GPA/19
Page 3
Accessions
9. Pursuant totheCommittee 'sDecision ontheAccession ofHong Kong of5December 1996
(GPA/9), Hong Kong deposited itsinstrument ofaccession on20May1997. TheAgreement entered
intoforce forHong Kong on19June1997 (GPA/14 andWT/Let/141). Asforeseen inparagraph 3
oftheDecision, Hong Kong willdelay theapplication ofparagraphs 2-8ofArticle XXoftheAgreement
onchallenge procedures foraperiod ofnomorethanoneyearaftertheentryintoforceoftheAgreement
forHong Kong. Before itsaccession totheAgreement, Hong Kong forwarded acommunication to
theCommittee concerning acommitment withrespect toprocurement bytwoelectrical utility companies
which werenotsubject togovernment control inHong Kong (GPA/11). Asindicated inparagraph 5
above, theEuropean Community, Norway andSwitzerland notified modifications totheGeneral Notes
totheirrespective Appendices Itoreflect theextension oftheAgreement asregards theaward of
contracts intheelectricity sector withrespect tothesuppliers andservice providers inHong Kong
(GPA/W/44, GPA/W/43 andGPA/W/47 andAdd.1).
10. Pursuant totheCommittee 'sDecision ontheAccession ofLiechtenstein of24February 1996
(GPA/3), ofwhich theone-year validity period wasextended foraperiod ofsixmonths, i.e.until
27August 1997attherequest ofLiechtenstein (GPA/W/34 andGPA/M/5, paragraph 35),Liechtenstein
deposited itsinstrument ofaccession on19August 1997. TheAgreement entered intoforce for
Liechtenstein on18September 1997 (GPA/16 andWT/Let/166).
11. Pursuant totheCommittee 'sDecision ontheAccession ofSingapore of20September 1996,
inviting Singapore toaccede ontheterms attached tothatDecision (GPA/6), Singapore deposited its
instrument ofaccession on20September 1997. TheAgreement entered intoforce forSingapore on
20October 1997 (GPA/18 andWT/Let/179).
12. Chinese Taipei applied foraccession totheAgreement inJune1994 (GPA/IC/5). Atits
May1997meeting, theCommittee wasinformed oftheimprovements thatChinese Taipei hadmade
inthesecond revision ofitsofferofMarch 1997following bilateral consultations heldwithinterested
Parties (GPA/SPEC/1/Rev.1).
13. Inaccordance withacommitment undertaken byPanama intheReport oftheWorking Party
ontheAccession ofPanama totheWTO (WT/ACC/PAN/19, paragraphs 68and116andProtocol,
PartI,paragraph 2),Panama applied foraccession totheAgreement andtabled aninitial offerofits
entities on24June1997 (GPA/W/53 andGPA/SPEC/3).
Decisions onProcedural Matters
14. Inaccordance withtheDecision ontheProcedures fortheNotification ofNational Implementing
Legislation andtheChecklist ofIssues (GPA/1/Add.1), Parties agreed tonotify theirlegislation no
laterthan31December 1996. Asof1November 1997, fourdelegations -Canada, Korea, Norway
andSwitzerland -havenotified theirnational implementing legislation including theirresponses to
theChecklist ofissues (GPA/10, GPA/12/Rev.1, GPA/13 andGPA/15).
15. Inaccordance withtheDecision onModalities forNotifying Threshold Figures inNational
Currencies (GPA/1, Annex 3),allParties havenotified thresholds intheirrespective national currencies
fortheperiods 1996-97 (GPA/W/12 andAddenda 1-8).
16. InaccordancewithitsDecisiononProceduresfortheCirculationandDerestrictionofDocuments
(GPA/1/Add 2),theCommittee agreed toderestrict thedocuments listed indocument GPA/16 on
20May1997.GPA/19
Page 4
Statistical Reporting
17. Article XIX:5 requires Parties tocollect andprovide onanannual basis statistics ontheir
procurements covered bytheAgreement. NoParties haveprovided statistics ontheirprocurements
covered bytheAgreement in1996.
Other Matters Raised byParties
18. AtitsFebruary andMay1997 meetings, theCommittee tooknoteofstatements concerning
thelegislation enacted bytheStateofMassachusetts regulating Statecontracts withcompanies doing
businesswithorinMyanmar(GPA/M/5,paragraphs47-52andGPA/M/6,paragraphs19-21).Arequest
forinformation byJapan, pursuant toparagraphs 1and3ofArticle XIXoftheAgreement anddated
10March 1997 (GPA/W/39) wasresponded tobytheUnited States on8August 1997(GPA/W/52).
Arequest forconsultations bytheEuropean Communities wascommunicated on20June1997pursuant
toArticle 4.4oftheDSU (WT/DS88/1-GPA/D2/1). Inacommunication dated 27June1997, Japan
requested tojointhose consultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU (WT/DS88/2). Inasubsequent
communicationdated18July1997,Japanalsorequestedconsultationsregardingthismatter(WT/DS95/1-
GPA/D3/1). Inacommunication dated 23July1997, theEuropean Communities requested tojoin
those consultations under Article 4.11oftheDSU (WT/DS95/2).
19. AtitsFebruary andMay1997 meetings, theCommittee tooknoteofstatements concerning
aprocurementtenderpublishedbytheMinistryofTransportofJapantopurchaseMTSATSatellite-based
Augmentation System (MSAS) (GPA/M/5, paragraphs 53-55 andGPA/M/6, paragraph 22).Arequest
forconsultations bytheEuropean Communities wascommunicated on26March 1997 pursuant to
Article 4.4oftheDSU (WT/DS73/1-GPA/D1/1). TheUnited States request of9April 1997 tojoin
theconsultations (WT/DS73/2) pursuant toArticle 4.4oftheDSU wasaccepted byJapan on
14April1997(WT/DS73/3).Inacommunicationdated31July1997,theEuropeanCommunitynotified
thatithadfound amutually agreed solution withJapan within themeaning ofArticle 3.6oftheDSU
(WT/DS73/4/Rev.1 andGPA/D1/2/Rev.1). Pursuant toArticle 3.6oftheDSU, theUnited States
hasrequested information regarding themutually agreed solution reached between thetwoParties.
20. AtitsMay 1997 meeting, theCommittee tooknoteofastatement concerning arecent
supercomputer procurement bytheUnited States (GPA/M/6, paragraphs 23-26).
III. MODALITIES FOR THE REVIEW OFTHE AGREEMENT
21. Article XXIV:7(b) and(c)oftheAgreement callsontheParties, notlaterthantheendofthe
third yearfrom thedateofitsentry intoforce, toundertake further negotiations, withaview to
improving theAgreement andachieving thegreatest possible extension ofitscoverage among allParties
andeliminating anyremaining discriminatory measures andpractices. Asstated inits1996 Report
totheGeneral Council, theCommittee agreed toundertake anearly review, starting in1997 withan
examination ofmodalities. Thereview will,inparticular, cover thefollowing elements: simplification
andimprovement oftheAgreement, including, where appropriate, adaptation toadvances inthearea
ofinformation technology; expansion ofthecoverage oftheAgreement; andelimination of
discriminatorymeasuresandpracticeswhichdistortopenprocurement(GPA/8andAdd.1).Anobjective
ofthereview istheexpansion ofthemembership oftheAgreement bymaking itmore accessible to
non-Parties. Inthisconnection, acommunication wassentbytheChairman oftheCommittee tothe
WTO Members, drawing theirattention, aswellastheattention ofgovernments which areintheprocess
ofacceding totheWTO, tothereview andinviting them toparticipate asobservers inthemeetings
oftheCommittee (WT/L/206). Thework wasinitiated inFebruary, MayandSeptember 1997 in
informal consultations andonthebasisofproposals byvarious Parties. Inthenextsuchconsultations,
tobeheldinNovember 1997, theCommittee willhave focused discussions on:issues ofnon-GPA/19
Page 5
discriminationinconnectionwithinformationtechnology;improvementstothestructureandpresentation
oftheAgreement; anddiscriminatory provisions inAppendices onthebasisofwritten proposals from
Parties. Thestatus ofthediscussion oftheelements ofthereview iscontained inaninformal Checklist
ofissues which isregularly updated.WORLD TRADE WT/L/247
26November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5202)
REPORT (1997) OFTHE COMMITTEE ON
TRADE INCIVIL AIRCRAFT
1. Thisreport issubmitted under Article 8.2oftheAgreement onTrade inCivil Aircraft
(hereinafter the"Agreement") andArticle IV.8oftheMarrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld
Trade Organization. Itsetsouttheactivities oftheCommittee since November 1996.
2. On24November 1997 there were 23Signatories totheAgreement: Bulgaria, Canada, the
European Communities, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
theNetherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, theUnited Kingdom, Egypt, Japan, Macau, Norway,
Romania, Switzerland andtheUnited States. Greece hassigned theAgreement subject toratification.
Theothercountries withobserver status intheCommittee are:Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil,
Cameroon, theCzech Republic, Finland, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malta, Mauritius,
Nigeria, Poland, Singapore, theSlovak Republic, SriLanka, Trinidad andTobago, Tunisia andTurkey.
Inaddition, China, theRussian Federation andChinese Taipei haveobserver status intheCommittee.
TheIMFandUNCTAD arealsoobservers.
3. TheCommittee onTrade inCivil Aircraft (hereafter the"Committee") heldmeetings inthe
period under review on16Juneand24November 1997.
4. Atthemeeting of16June1997 (TCA/M/5), theChairman recalled thatsignificant legal
uncertainty surrounded therelationship between theAgreement andother WTO Agreements asaresult
ofthecontinuing failure toadapt theAgreement totheWTO structure. TheChairman indicated that
hewould explore allavailable options toresolve thematter, including suspension ortermination of
theAgreement. TheCommittee alsoelected MsEvaRygh (Norway) asVice-Chairperson, andone
Signatory raised issues concerning Articles 3("Technical Barriers toTrade") and4("Government-
Directed Procurement, Mandatory Sub-Contracts andInducements") oftheAgreement under "Other
Business".
5. Atthemeeting of24November 1997, theChairman reported thatininformal consultations
heldinOctober 1997, amajority ofSignatories consulted expressed theiropposition tosuspension
ortermination oftheAgreement. TheCommittee adopted the1997 Annual Report totheGeneral
Council.
6. TheSub-Committee oftheCommittee onTrade inCivilAircraft didnotmeetduring theperiod
under review.WORLD TRADE WT/L/246
21November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5128)
INTERNATIONAL DAIRY COUNCIL
Report totheGeneral Council
Report bytheChairperson oftheInternational Dairy Council
inAccordance withArticle IV:8oftheWTO Agreement
1. TheInternational Dairy Agreement entered intoforce on1January 1995foraperiod ofthree
years. Asof30September 1997, thefollowing wereParties totheAgreement: Argentina, Bulgaria,
Chad, theEuropean Communities (15), Japan, NewZealand, Norway, Romania, Switzerland and
Uruguay. Other Members andintergovernmental organizations havebeenrepresented atmeetings
byobservers.
2. TheInternational Dairy Council (IDC) helditsregular meeting on30September 1997, chaired
byMs.BridCannon (Ireland). AnotebytheChairperson onthismeeting wascirculated asWT/L/230.
3. Asafollow-up totheIDA'sreport of1996endorsed byMinisters attheSingapore Ministerial
Conference (WT/L/178), anumber ofinformal consultations onthefuture oftheInternational Dairy
Agreement wereheld. Inthecourse ofthese consultations, theproposal wasmade toterminate the
Agreement attheendofitscurrent three-year term.
4. Atitsfourth meeting, on30September 1997, theCouncil considered adraftdecision onthe
"Termination oftheInternational Dairy Agreement". TheCouncil adopted thisdecision byconsensus.
TheInternational Dairy Agreement willthereby beterminated asof1January 1998 (IDA/8). The
DecisioncontainstherequestthattheWTOMinisterialConferencedelete,inaccordancewithArticleX:9
oftheWTO Agreement, theInternational Dairy Agreement from Annex 4oftheWTO Agreement
upon termination oftheInternational Dairy Agreement.WORLD TRADE WT/L/237
16October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4511)
INTERNATIONAL MEAT COUNCIL
Report totheGeneral Council
Report bytheChairperson oftheInternational Meat Council
inaccordance withArticle IV:8oftheWTO Agreement
1. TheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement entered intoforce on1January 1995 foraperiod
ofthree years. Asof14October 1997, thefollowing were Parties totheAgreement: Argentina,
Australia,Brazil,Bulgaria,Canada,Chad,Colombia,EuropeanCommunities(15),Japan,NewZealand,
Norway, Paraguay, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland, United States andUruguay. Other Members
andintergovernmental organizations havebeenrepresented atmeetings byobservers.
2. TheInternational Meat Council (IMC) helditsregular meeting on19June1997 andwas
reconvened ataspecial meeting on30September 1997. Thereports ofthesemeetings werecirculated,
respectively, asdocuments IMA/7 andIMA/9. AttheJunemeeting, Mr.AttieSwart ofSouth Africa
waselected asChairman oftheIMC.
3. Inresponse totherequest bytheGeneral Council thatthePlurilateral Agreements consider
appropriate action withrespect toderestriction ofdocuments (WT/L/160/Rev.1), theIMC adopted
thedecision on"Derestriction ofDocuments oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement" (IMA/6).
4. Asafollow-uptotheIMC'sreportendorsedbyMinistersattheSingaporeMinisterialConference
(WT/L/179), anumber ofinformal consultations onthefuture oftheInternational Bovine Meat
Agreement wereheld. Inthecourse ofthese consultations, theproposal wasmade toterminate the
Agreement attheendofitscurrent three-year term. AtitsJunemeeting, theIMC agreed thatthe
Chairman organize further informal consultations, withaviewtoreaching afinaldecision inSeptember.
5. Thesolepurpose ofthespecial meeting inSeptember 1997 wastoconsider adraftdecision
onthe"Termination oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement". TheIMCadopted thisdecision
byconsensus andtheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement willthereby beterminated attheendof
1997 (IMA/8). Thedecision contains therequest thattheWTO Ministerial Conference delete, in
accordance withArticle X:9oftheWTO Agreement, theInternational Bovine Meat Agreement from
Annex 4oftheWTO Agreement upon termination oftheInternational Bovine Meat Agreement.