./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/CSS/W/1
14 April 2000
(00-1509)
Council for Trade in Services
Special SessionOriginal:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE
Elements of a Proposed First Phase for the Services Negotiations
Mandated under GATS Article XIX
The attached communication has been received from the delegations of Australia and
Singapore with the request that it be circulated to Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
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1. Australia and Singapore would like to propose that Members adopt a phased approach to the
mandated negotiations under Article XIX. This submission focuses on what could constitute the first
phase. It in essence provides a “road-map” for the organisation of the work connected with these
mandated negotiations.
2. It should be emphasised that the proposal does not prejudge the future elaboration of
negotiating guidelines and procedures as required under Article XIX. Indeed, the proposed “road-
map” is distinct from these negotiating guidelines and procedures and is only intended to facilitate
Members’ work in the coming months.
3. Members could agree on the following text:
Pursuant to the objectives of the GATS, as stipulated in the Preamble and Article IV, and the
mandate contained in Article XIX, these negotiations shall aim to achieve progressively
higher levels of liberalisation of trade in services through the reduction or elimination of the
adverse effects on trade of measures as a means of providing effective market access. Thenegotiations shall take place with due respect for national policy objectives and the level of
development of individual Members. In this process, the existing structure and principles of
the GATS shall be preserved.
The following programme and arrangements have been agreed for the first phase of these
negotiations:
(a) that proposals would be submitted by Members by the end of December 2000, on the
understanding that there would be flexibility for the submission of further or more
detailed proposals thereafter;
(b) that proposals could address the following themes:
- Modalities of NegotiationsS/CSS/W/1
Page 2
- Increasing Participation of Developing Countries and in particular special
treatment for LLDCs1
- Autonomous Liberalisation
- Systemic Issues
- Issues arising from the work carried out in the Council for Trade in Services
and its subsidiary bodies, including rule-making
(c) that Special Sessions of the Services Council should be scheduled to systematically
consider these themes;
(d) that the two existing agenda items of the Special Session of the Services Council,
namely “Assessment of Trade in Services” and “Work of Subsidiary Bodies - Reports
by Chairpersons” would still be retained;
(e) that a best endeavour deadline of March 2001 be set for the completion of the work in
the Committee on Specific Commitments;
(f) that the second phase of these negotiations would begin with a stock-taking exercise
in March 2001, both of progress made in the Special Sessions and the subsidiary
bodies, and consideration of how to move forward.
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1 It is suggested that the proposal on tourism services be taken up under this theme at future 
meetings.