./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONTN/S/2
11 June 2002
(02-3229)
Council for Trade in Services
Special Session
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN SERVICES TO THE
TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE
6 June 2002
1. Since my last report in March 2002, the Council for Trade in Services in Special Session held
one formal meeting, from 5 to 6 June 2002.
2. Under the item on the assessment of trade in services, Members held extensive discussions,
particularly stimulated by a new contribution introduced orally at the meeting by the delegation of
Pakistan on behalf of some other developing c ountry Members.  The delegation of Canada drew
Members' attention to their newly published research papers on the assessment of trade in services
and the delegation of Thailand indicated that they would soon be submitting papers on their own
experience with services liberalization.  It was reiterated that the assessment, which would continue to
be an on-going activity of the Council, was an important exercise which needed to move beyond
generalities.
3. On the treatment of autonomous liberalisation, I reported to the Council on informal
consultations that I have held on two occasions, on the basis of two successive draft texts prepared
under my responsibility.  Consultations have shown that, in spite of the progress made on the matter
thus far, views still differ on a few important substantive issues.  Consultations will continue, with a
view to adopting the modalities as soon as possible, so as to provide Members with an important
negotiating tool for the request-offer phase due to start soon.
4. Under the item on modalities for the special treatment for least-developed country Members,
the Council held a good discussion, with many interventions and expressions of interest.  It was
stressed that the establishment of these modalities is a legal obligation under the GATS, which should
be fulfilled as soon as possible.  As the Council has only held a first debate on this issue, at least
another round of discussion will be necessary before Members can move to a drafting stage, but I
assured delegations that I stand ready to assist with the establishment of these modalities.
5. As for the discussion of negotiating proposals, two new submissions were tabled by the
delegation of Cuba and Members raised questions and provided clarifications on previously submitted
proposals.  The Council also agreed that the Secretariat would prepare a compilation of offers made in
the negotiations on Maritime Transport Services.  While the number of new negotiating proposals
being tabled to the Special Session is dwindling, the possibility of submitting new proposals and ofreverting to existing ones should not be foreclose d.  Therefore, the item on negotiating proposals will
continue to figure on the Council's agenda, with the discussion organized in the same loose format
adopted for this meeting.
6. As the submission of initial requests is fast approaching, I highlighted to delegations a few
basic points on the procedural side of the submission of requests.  These reflected past negotiatingpractice and were without prejudice to what individual Members might decide.  The point was madeTN/S/2
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that the date of 30 June 2002 referred to the submission of initial requests and that those submitted
thereafter would not be considered untimely.
7. As for the organization of future work, Members decided that the July cluster of services
meetings would not be compressed in one week, but spread over a two-week period, with meeting-
free days in-between when delegations would have time to consult bilaterally.  It was stressed that the
participation of capital-based experts should be facilitated.  I stand ready, with the help of the
Secretariat, to assist delegations in coordinating the presence of their sectoral experts in Geneva and
to ensure early circulation of the final schedule of the July cluster of meetings.
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