./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/TPR/82
19 June 2000
(00-2450)
Trade Policy Review Body
TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM
THE EUROPEAN UNION
Arrangements for Review Meeting
Communication from the Chairman of the Trade Policy Review Body
1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of
the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 12 a nd 14 July 2000 to conduct the fifth review of the
trade policies and practices of the European Union (WTO/AIR/1333).
2. This communication sets out arrangements concerning the review meeting.  In this
connection, attention is also drawn to the procedures  for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules
of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6).
I. QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING
3. Members wishing to submit written questions to the Member under review should do so at
least one week before the review meeting to allow time to prepare replies. For the forthcoming
review, such questions should therefore be with the Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariatby Wednesday, 5 July 2000.  All questions submitted will be made available to Members at the
beginning of the meeting.
II. DISCUSSANTS
4. In consultation with the European Union, as provided for in Annex 3 of the Marrakesh
Agreement and in line with the flexibility called for in the recent appraisal of the operation of the
TPRM (WT/MIN(99)/2), the Chairperson of the TP RB has decided not have a discussant for the
review of the European Union.
III. STRUCTURE OF THE MEETING
5. Trade policy reviews cover four broad headings:
(a) appreciation of the full range of the Member's trade policies and practices;
(b) relevant background:  wider economic and developmental needs, including the
external environment;
(c) impact of the Member's trade policies and practices on the functioning of the
multilateral trading system;  and
(d) general comments by way of assessment and evaluation.WT/TPR/82
Page 2
6. Meetings take place in two sessions.  The first session is devoted to the opening statement by
the Member under review, and remarks and questions from the floor.  The discussion in the second
session, when the Member under review will reply to questions, is based on main themes identified
after the opening meeting by the Chairman and th e Secretariat in consultation with the Member.
IV. DOCUMENTATION AND PRESS ARRANGEMENTS
7. Reports by the Member under review and the Secretariat are contained in the following
documents:
WT/TPR/G/72 Report by the European Union
WT/TPR/S/72 The European Union:  Report by the Secretariat
8. The press embargo for the review of the European Union will end at 13.00 GMT
(15.00 Geneva time) on 14 July 2000.
V. MINUTES
9. Minutes of the meeting will be circulated promptly and will be published together with the
reports by The European Union and the Secretariat.
VI. ANSWERS IN WRITING BY THE MEMBER UNDER REVIEW
10. In the course of the discussions at the review  meeting, the Member under review may indicate
that it intends to provide supplementary information, in writing, on specific points raised.  Upon
receipt, the Secretariat will circulate a document containing this information to all Members.
__________