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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/En langue originale seulement/En el idioma original solamente . 
  EUROPEAN UNION 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 6 AND 8 JULY 2015 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat (Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 2 September 2015. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales 
 
UNION EUROPÉENNE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 6 ET 8 JUILLET 2015 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat (Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 2 septembre 2015 au plus tard. 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales 
 
UNIÓN EUROPEA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 6 Y 8 DE JULIO DE 2015 
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sra. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 2 de septiembre de 2015 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones. 
 
 
_______________ 
 WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
EUROPEAN UNION 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 3  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESEN TATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION  .............. 5  
3  STATEMENT BY TH E DISCUSSANT .............................................................................. 11  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 16  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 71  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 85  
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by the European Union are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/317/Add.1 and will be 
available online at http://www.wto.org/ english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy Review of the Eu ropean Union was held on 6 and 8 July 2015. The 
Chairperson H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizo v (Bulgaria) welcomed the delegation of the 
European Union headed by H.E. Ambassador Angelos Pangratis, Permanent Representative of the 
European Union to the WTO; the European Union's head of delegation/headquarters, Mr Denis 
Redonnet, Director for WTO Legal Affairs and Trade in Goods Issues, DG Trade; the rest of the colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; the represen tatives of the member States of the European 
Union; and the discussant, H.E. Am bassador Gabriel Duque (Colombia). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of th e Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by the European Union was contained in document WT/TPR/G/317 and that of the WT O Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/317. 
1.3.  The European Union adopted the alternativ e timeline for its TPR. The following delegations 
submitted nearly 800 questions one week before the meeting and had been transmitted to the 
delegation of the European Union: Malaysia; Australia; Mexico; Canada; Chinese Taipei; 
Switzerland; Hong Kong, China; Colombia; Singapore; New Zealand; China; Japan; the United 
States; Norway; Peru; and Argentina. The followin g delegations submitted written questions after 
the deadline and had also been transmitted to the delegation of the European Union: 
the Philippines; the Russian Federation; Costa Rica ; Chile; Thailand; the Republic of Korea; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; India; Turkey; the Dominican Republic; Brazil; Guatemala; Ecuador; Indonesia; and El Salvador. 
1.4.  Economic developments in the EU continue d to be dominated by low and fragile growth in 
some member States and the related developments  in the euro-area: GDP growth had been zero 
in 2013 and 1.3% in 2014 but had varied a lot from one member State to another. Since the last TPR, there had not been a significant improvem ent in GDP growth. However, there were some 
encouraging developments, particularly in labour productivity. Furthermore, the EU was still the 
biggest trading entity in the world with total expo rts of €1,703 billion and imports of €1,681 billion 
in 2014 – although both were down slightly on 2013. 
1.5.  Despite economic difficulties, the EU remained an open transparent economy which, in many 
ways, functioned as a single market and it had continued to grow, with Croatia becoming the 28th member State just before the last TPR of the EU in July 2013. The EU had been particularly active 
in negotiating regional agreements with several coming into force in the period under review, 
negotiations concluded on others, and more still under way.  
1.6.  The EU was one of the most active Members of the WTO and, as the largest trading entity in 
the world it was an essential part of the multilat eral trading system. Although the EU continued to 
extend its network of regional agreements it also  continued to be engaged in the development of 
the multilateral trading system. 
1.7.  At the last TPR, Members had raised questions on many issues, some of which had been 
repeated several times by different delegations. These included:  
 High, and sometimes complex, tariffs on some pr oducts, particularly agricultural products;  
 Standards, technical requirements, and SPS measures which were not all harmonized across 
the EU and may differ from those developed by in ternational standard setting organizations;  
 Government procurement methods and data; and agriculture and fisheries policies and their 
reform. 
1.8.  The last TPR had also noted that the EU functioned as a single market with common rules on 
trade and investment; differences remained, however, in the applications of rules and procedures. 
At the same time, member States retained competence, or had considerable flexibility, in some areas that affected trade and investment such as corporation tax, social contributions, excise 
duties, and VAT.  
1.9.  There had been several notable developments in the EU over the past two years, including: WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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   The rules on State Aids, which applied to suppo rt provided to industries and services by 
member States, they had become overhauled with the aim of improving enforcement while 
allowing aid to be targeted; 
 A number of new directives affecting public procurement had been adopted in 2014 and 
were in the process of being transposed into national laws by the member States. These 
new directives aimed to improve the application of  the rules, and the efficiency of the public 
procurement process as well as transparency, and accountability while removing some 
loopholes in the old laws. Total spending on public procurement in the EU had represented 
nearly 14% of GDP indicating its importance to the economy; 
 The protection of intellectual property rights was set out in a comprehensive set of 
legislation at both the EU and member State levels. At the EU level, the review and 
modernization of intellectual property laws had continued based on the 2011 Blueprint and 
the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for 2014-2020. Intellectual property rights were a critical part of the EU's econ omy with a large part of employment, GDP, and 
trade depending on intellectual property-intensive industries. 
 Although agriculture's contribution to EU GDP was relatively small, it continued to have an 
important cultural and social role and it was the backbone of the economy in many rural 
areas. The Common Agricultural Policy had undergone a major reform with a new system of 
direct payments, export subsidies set at zero, and greater emphasis given to rural development. Although it had not been covered in the Secretariat report, The Common Market Organization for the fisherie s sector had also been reformed; 
 Legislative reform of the financial services se ctor – which represented over 5% of GDP, had 
continued over the past two years, particularly rules on prudential measures and also to move towards a banking union. 
1.10.  The Chairperson had noted that, in their questions, delegations had referred to these and 
many other issues and he looked forward to hearing the comments from the EU. 
1.11.  The Chairperson closed his introductory re marks by wishing the EU a very successful twelfth 
Trade Policy Review. He looked forward to its active engagement in this TPR. 
1.12.  The Chairperson informed delegations that the podcast of the meeting could be accessed on 
the Members' website after the first day of the meeting. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 
(MR REDONNET) 
2.1.  I would like to start my remarks this morn ing by expressing my sinc ere appreciation to the 
Chair, H.E. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, and to the distinguished 
discussant, H.E. Mr. Gabriel Duque, Ambassador of Colombia. I would also like to welcome all the 
WTO Members participating in our EU Review. Before diving into the substance of our discussions, I would also like to express the EU team's deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation we  have 
had with the Trade Policy Division of the WTO Se cretariat and, in particular, John Finn and his 
team. 
2.2.  As was indicated in our Government report, which we submitted for the exercise, the EU is 
the first export destination for 55 WTO Members. For 32 other Members, the EU market is their 
second export destination. More generally, the EU is among the top three trade partners of 
107 countries around the world. 
2.3.  These figures illustrate why EU trade policy matters for many of you and why our policies 
have the potential to impact the WTO Membership as a whole. The EU is conscious of this situation 
and of our responsibilities when it comes to desi gning and implementing trade policies that benefit 
the WTO Membership.  
2.4.  Indeed, the degree of openness of the EU economy is a unique feature if one compares it 
with that of other trading partners of a similar scale. EU trade in goods and services represented 
35% of our GDP in 2013. In 2014, extra EU trade represented 16.5% of world total trade in goods 
and services. Crucially, in our view, the EU remains the first world importer of agricultural products 
with a total of €104 billion of imports in 2014. And our trade openness benefits most the poor and 
most vulnerable economies: EU imports through the GSP scheme amounted to €217 billion in 2014. LDCs, in particular, have exported to the EU, through our "Everything but Arms' scheme, 
€38 billion in that same year, which is up more than 4.5% from 2013. This, in our view, has been 
facilitated by our reformed set of rules of origin which have been favourably received in this Organization by our less developed trade partners. 
2.5.  We are not just open to trade, but also to investment, which in today's economy are 
inextricably related. In 2013, extra EU FDI flows represenedt 45% of total world outflows (without 
counting intra EU FDI flows). And EU attracte d almost 48% of inward world FDI flows. 
Main developments since the last EU TPR 
2.6.  A new European Commission has been in office since last November. Its main priority is to 
ensure sustainable growth and jobs for all. This is no small task. During the last review, many Members had commended the EU for our capacity to resist protectionism in difficult economic 
times. This review will also conclude, I hope, th at we met our commitment to remain open, despite 
an economic situation that remains fragile. 
2.7.  The forecasts for EU growth have slightly improved since the Secretariat report was finalized 
in March. According to the latest Commission fore cast from May, GDP is now expected to rise in 
2015 by 1.8% in the EU, 0.1 percentage points high er than projected three months ago. For 2016, 
the European Commission forecasts growth of 2.1% in the EU and of 1.9% in the euro area. Recent internal economic analysis shows that EU domestic demand is the main contributor to GDP 
growth, with an acceleration of private cons umption expected this year and a rebound of 
investment next year. 
2.8.  Even if the prospects are improving, we cannot overlook the fact that the financial crisis has 
left deep wounds: not only has EU unemployment re mained at unacceptable levels in a number of 
member States, but it is also worth stressing that the EU has not been capable to invest sufficiently. This risks undermining medium and long term recovery capacities unless this is 
addressed. This is why the new Commission has called on collective and coordinated efforts at 
European level to reverse this trend on investment and launched a number of new initiatives.  
2.9.  Regarding investments, the objective of the European Fund for Strategic Investments is to 
create a conducive framework which will attract much needed investments in infrastructure, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  energy or telecoms. This should in turn contribute  to completing the single market and put Europe 
on a more sustainable recovery track. 
2.10.  With respect to our internal market, I would like to expand on the Digital Single Market 
(DSM) initiative launched last May. Digital flows have become an integral and key part of today's 
global trade reality. European companies are major digital traders in many different sectors: 
banks, car manufacturers, logistics companies, to name a few. That said, there is still a long way 
to go before all Europeans can enjoy the same fr eedoms online as they already do offline. The 
objective of the initiative is to build a unified space where Europe's single market in the physical 
world is fully extended into the world of bits and bytes. Once fully in place and working, the 
expectations are that it could contribute some €415 billion per year to our economy and generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Europe's future DSM will provide equal conditions where all 
companies offering their goods or services in the EU are subject to the same rules (data and 
consumer protection, for example). This will guarantee legal certainty and is ultimately good for investments and business, whichever country they come from intra or extra EU.  
2.11.  On top of the single digital agenda, further integration of the internal market and more 
specifically of our services market (on which the Secretariat has reported extensively) remains a priority for the EU. The Services Directive was adopted by the EU already in 2006. It covers 
economic activities that represent now 46% of EU GDP. In the last couple of years, the 
Commission has focused on ensuring the full implementation of this essential piece of legislation. The Commission will continue this work and remains dedicated to improving the uniform application of the Services Directive across the EU. Let me insist that these efforts do not only 
benefit EU operators but all economic operators and therefore benefits the Membership 
represented here. 
2.12.  Indeed, the EU already is a very open market  for both traders and investors; true, it is still 
incomplete and we can do more to tap the full potential of the single market. The importance of 
our efforts to advance the integration of the EU single market can hardly be overestimated from a trade perspective. All the steps we take to deepen the state of our internal integration are 
important to the WTO Membership. Due to their regu latory nature, such efforts typically apply on 
an erga omnes  basis, so there is a mutual supportiven ess between the lifting of the remaining 
internal barriers inside the single market and the gradual liberalization taking place in those areas 
beyond our EU's borders. 
2.13.  Linked to this, let me briefly touch on another recent key initiative of the new Commission, 
the so-called "Better Regulation Package". This  package will improve the EU policy making 
process; it will open it further to public scrutiny and input throughout the entire policy lifecycle. All 
stakeholders, including from other WTO Members, will benefit from the many new opportunities to 
comment. Let me just list a few: 
 Stakeholders will have a chance to provide fee dback right from the very start on any new EU 
level regulatory or policy initiative.  
 After the Commission has adopted a legislativ e proposal, any stakeholder, internal or 
external, will have ample time to provide feedback or suggestions which will feed into the legislative debate before Parliament and Council. 
 Draft delegated and implementing acts, which am end or supplement existing legislation, or 
which set out specific technical provisions, will be made public to allow feedback for 4 weeks before their adoption  by the Commission. 
2.14.  To sum up, we are continuously upgrading our single market in many various dimensions, 
horizontally, sectorally, and this will be to the advantage of not only the EU but of all Members of this Organization. 
2.15.  We estimate in the EU that 32 million jobs  have been supported in the EU via our exports. 
But this does not reflect the importance that imports also have to the EU's economy. Indeed, in today's world of global value chains, in order to export we need to import. The EU sources inputs from the rest of the world. These contribute to support jobs outside the EU as well. Let me give 
you a few figures and our estimates on this: about 5.1 million jobs in China, 2.2 million jobs in WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  India, 1.1 million jobs in Russia and 900 000 jobs in Brazil. Indeed, EU openness supports 
development around the world. Fuels excluded, we import more from the poorest countries than many of the large economies represented here put together.  
2.16.  Let me now turn back to the importance of this review for us. Of course, we have been at 
the origins of the GATT and of the WTO. Last time in our statement in 2013, we had drawn 
parallels between the Great Depression and the 2008 financial crisis. We said at that time that we had collectively avoided the worst case scenario after the 2008 financial crisis because we all knew 
too well what the consequences could be. We used and continue to use international institutions – 
and this one in particular – to resist protectionism. The EU's belief has always been that international institutions were necessary to enable Governments to solve economic and sometimes very acute trade conflicts in an orderly manner. This is really part of our political "DNA" since the 
very notion of European integration is base d on trade and economic integration among our 
member States. At a time of ever growing inter-linkages between countries, we believe that one more than ever needs the WTO. 
2.17.  This leads me to one of the most impo rtant functions of the WTO: the monitoring and 
transparency functions, which is one of its three main pillars of the system and which is at the core of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism. 
2.18.  For the EU, it is always a challenge to be reviewed, as we are 28 members. But this is not 
the main challenge. The main challenge is the scale of the scrutiny by you, the Membership, which we welcome and we will do our best to respond to. Indeed, for this exercise, we have received 
even more questions than in 2013 once the m eeting was finished. We recorded this time 
1410 questions. We hope that the pilot project of  a database that has been mentioned by the 
Chair will contribute to improving the management of this large number of Members' questions. Let me mention that one particular Member has raised 240 questions this time, and that a few 
Members have sent as many as five different sets of questions just before the meeting. 
2.19.  I would also like to recall that the EU has adopted this time again the alternative timeframe 
and is pleased to see that a number of other Members are using it. It allowed the Members who 
had sent their questions to us by the 8
th of June deadline to receive their replies by the 30th of 
June.  
2.20.  Beyond the bi-yearly TPR examination, we al so attach a lot of importance in having a trade 
policy that is transparent and accessible.  
2.21.  In this context, the EU is vigilant to comply in a timely manner as much as possible with our 
obligations in terms of WTO notification requirements. To counter an overall situation in the Organization, which is disappointing as regards notifications, we have already proposed to reflect 
collectively on how to improve the situation in specific areas such as import licensing and 
quantitative restrictions – for example by means of informal seminars. We will also shortly table further ideas on how transparency could be enhanced for subsidies, antidumping and regional 
trade agreements in the context of the rules pillar of the DDA negotiations. 
2.22.  Regarding subsidies, the EU notification goes well beyond our WTO obligations. We, 
however, still received a number of questions on our subsidies' regime. So I would like to seize 
this opportunity to stress that our regime of "state aid control", combined with our comprehensive 
competition policy framework, contributes to establishing a level playing field for all economic 
operators that compete in the single market (b e they EU or non-EU, State owned and not State 
owned). 
2.23.  To stimulate sustainable growth and jobs, the EU has recently decided to take measures to 
modernize its rulebook on Public Procurement, wh ich represents almost 19% of the EU GDP. This 
is why new rules were adopted in 2014. They have  three main objectives: simplification, flexibility 
and legal certainty. The EU is convinced that the simplification and greater flexibility of the new 
government procurement procedures, a capacity to better serve other important public-sector policies along with the possibility of the best value for money, will make public procurement in the EU more efficient, while respecting the principles of transparency and competition to the benefit of 
both public purchasers and businesses. The rules on concessions, in particular, will create a WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  common framework for a major tool of public management in Europe, thus also contributing to the 
conditions set out for stimulating investment in major public services of the future. 
2.24.  I would now like to say few words on a number of specific areas on which Members have 
sought information in the context of this review: 
 First, agriculture. The last Common Agricu ltural Policy (CAP) reform is now under 
implementation and we are making progress in greening our agriculture making it more sustainable. From the beginning in this proce ss, the EU has had in mind that the reforms 
should not only be good for our farmers, but also to those in other WTO Members, and we 
are convinced that they are indeed. That allows us to participate constructively in the DDA negotiations on agriculture. Let me add that, as noted by the WTO Secretariat, and picked 
up by many Members in their questions, it is  the case that since 2013, EU export refunds 
have been set at zero. 
 Regarding fisheries, which could not be comprehensively reported in the Secretariat report 
this time around, the new Common Fisheries Policy has enabled the EU to modernize its 
policy and make it more market oriented. This  new approach has significantly reduced the 
number and modalities of market interventions in this sector, but here as well I recognize that this is and will probably remain a subject of interest and vigilance from Members, at 
least judging by the number of advanced wri tten questions we received in this area.  
 Regarding customs, the EU has been a driving force in the negotiations on the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement. We are currently on a very good track for ratifying the Agreement well before the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference. I would also like to take this 
opportunity to underline that the EU support s the implementation of commitments by 
developing countries in this area commitments of €400 million over five years, which is a third of developing countries' total estimated needs. Internally, let me also mention that we 
are also actively preparing for the application in 2016 of the Union Customs Code that is 
expected to further enhance trade facilitation in the EU. Domestically, such enhanced trade facilitation will be phased in until 2020, alongside the progressive development or upgrade 
of a number of necessary IT systems. This essent ially will allow exporters to the EU to take 
better advantage of a centralized clearance of imports at one single point of entry in the EU. 
2.25.  In parallel to the essential monitoring  function played by the numerous WTO bodies, 
another very important pillar of the WTO for us  is the enforcement function embodied in the 
Dispute Settlement Mechanism. 
2.26.  My delegation wishes to stress that we atta ch considerable importance to the review of the 
Dispute Settlement Understanding. We have actively contributed to the negotiations with a view to 
achieving a successful outcome. Indeed, ensuring  compliance with global trade rules through 
Dispute Settlement is one of the most important and critical roles played by the WTO to maintain an open and fair multilateral trading system. Si nce our last Trade Policy Review (March 2013), the 
EU has initiated eight dispute settlement proceedings, seven of which are currently pending. The 
EU is the respondent in seven pending dispute settlement cases.  
2.27.  Another fundamental aspect of WTO activity  is, of course, its negotiating function. The Bali 
Ministerial Conference was a great success and we have since then witnessed a re-activation of 
Doha Round negotiations.  
2.28.  This is obviously not the place to make any specific announcement or a statement relative 
to negotiations, even if some Members have asked us very specific questions about our 
expectations for concluding the DDA. Let me perhaps say a few things about the Round.  
2.29.  We believe that the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, which will be held in Nairobi in 
D e c e m b e r ,  w i l l  b e  a  p i v o t a l  m o m e n t .  W e  h o p e  t h a t  w e  w i l l  b e  a b l e  t o  r e a c h  t h e  t w o - t h i r d s  
threshold, which would allow the TFA to enter into force and we are determined for the first WTO 
Ministerial Conference to be held in Africa, to reach a political agreement on the main components of the Round. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  2.30.  Concluding the DDA would not only strength en the multilateral trading system by updating 
its rules. More importantly perhaps, it would help the WTO regain its centrality when it comes to addressing future challenges.  
2.31.  For a successful conclusion, outcomes will be needed in all areas of the negotiations – 
agriculture, NAMA, services, TRIPS, rules and crucially development issues. We are ready to 
consider a significant recalibration of our initial expectations. After so many years spent in the pursuit of unachievable objectives, it is clear that "doability" should now be an overarching 
principle of the work. We need to recognize the po litical realities of our times – and they do not 
give much hope that the level of ambition we had been hoping for initially can be achieved.  
2.32.  This being said, the development objectives  of the Round will clearly need to be met, 
particularly regarding the needs of Least Developed Countries. The EU is therefore determined to 
constructively work with developing countries to ensure that Nairobi contributes to improving the 
LDCs' situation.  
2.33.  As you know, while we remain firmly committed to the further development of the 
multilateral trading system, the EU is also actively participating in a number of plurilateral 
initiatives. We feel strongly, however, about the necessity to ensure that these initiatives do not 
end up undermining the multilateral trading system . We therefore take the view that plurilateral 
negotiations should be open to all interested WTO Members, provided they support their objectives 
and are willing to contribute in accordance with their real economic circumstances. Furthermore, 
wherever possible, the EU seeks to anchor even cl ose plurilateral initiatives as closely as possible 
to the WTO's architecture, so as to facilitate their possible future multilateralization. 
2.34.  Regarding our bilateral trade relations, it has escaped no one that the EU has initiated a 
very ambitious agenda for the negotiations of fa r-reaching preferential agreements. We received 
quite a number of advanced written questions on the scope and the content of these bilateral trade 
agreements. Let me just say a few words on this: obviously our free trade agreements fit into a 
set of objectives that go beyond trade. They form  an integral part of the EU's broader external 
policies, in line with the objectives set by the EU Treaties.  
2.35.  The negotiation of comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreements between the EU and 
other advanced trading partners such as Canada, Japan or the United States, is obviously a new 
and important policy development for us. Some Members might even think that they constitute a challenge for the Organization. Here again, however, my delegation would like to stress that the 
EU intends to make good on its commitment to the multilateral trading system. In particular, we 
feel that such processes can explore avenues into which the WTO has not yet had the opportunity to venture. These initiatives can act as laboratories for the development of future trade rule, that 
could one day be the subject of a multilateral conver sation to help fill the gaps in the multilateral 
trade rulebook. 
2.36.  The development dimension is also one which we attach a lot of importance to in our 
bilateral trade relations as well. In 2014, a numbe r of Economic Partnership Agreements with our 
ACP partners started being applied. In addition, EPA negotiations were concluded last year with West Africa, the Southern African Developm ent Community (SADC) and the East African 
Community (EAC). The preferences of the EPAs ar e embedded in a long-term partnership which, 
here as well, goes much beyond the realm of trad e policy. Therefore, the shift that we have taken 
with these partners to the EPAs does more than just carry forward "Everything but Arms" market access into reciprocal trade agreements. It gives our partners from the ACP group, and most 
notably the LDCs, several additional advantages such as the securing of a stable contractual 
framework for trade relations with the EU, even  when they move up the development ladder; 
flexible rules on the cumulation of origin, as well as targeted development cooperation in key 
areas such as SPS measures and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). 
2.37.  Regarding Aid for Trade finally, with two re cord years of over €11 billion of commitments in 
2012 and 2013, the EU is proud of its position, to gether with the Member States, as the world's 
leading provider of Aid for Trade. We have just participated in the successful fifth Global Review. 
The EU took the opportunity of this gathering to ho st an important side event on our future Aid for 
Trade Strategy. The Aid for Trade Review is one of the tools, along with the TPR process, by which 
we feel that we benefit from genuine peer-t o-peer learning inside the Organization.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  2.38.  Looking forward, the EU is also working on a new strategy for trade and investment, which 
the Commission will adopt in the autumn in order to ensure that our overall policy framework remains relevant and keeps delivering benefits to citizens, consumers, workers and business and keeps adapting to the new political, economic and business realities.  
2.39.  In this overall horizontal review of strategy, you can rest assured that the WTO and 
multilateralism will remain the cornerstone of our policy, and the discussions that we will be having today and Wednesday will feed into our internal reflections as well. 
2.40.  I thank you for your attention, and I am ve ry much looking forward to our exchanges during 
these two days. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  Es un placer y un gran honor para mí ser el ponente en este décimo segundo examen de 
política comercial de la Unión Europea, que se celebra en el Año Europeo del Desarrollo. Para el mismo, contamos con los excelentes insumos preparados tanto por la Secretaría de la OMC, como 
por la propia UE, y especialmente con la completa y detallada presentación efectuada por el 
Señor Dennis Redonnet. Mi saludo a su vez a su delegación. 
3.2.  La UE es sin duda el más ambicioso proyecto de integración de nuestros tiempos y su 
importancia trasciende lo económico y comercial. Muestra de ello es el premio Nobel de la Paz 
recibido en el 2012 por el "éxito de su lucha en favor de la paz y la reconciliación, la democracia y los derechos humanos", como en su momento resaltó el Comité Noruego del Nobel. No en vano su lema es "Unidos en la diversidad", con el que se expresa claramente el objetivo de la UE de 
trabajar en favor de la paz y de la prosperidad, apoyándose y tomando beneficio de la rica 
diversidad cultural de sus miembros, como lo evidencia la existencia de 24 lenguas oficiales al interior. 
3.3.  En lo comercial, su importancia es evidente. Aunque la población de la UE representa 
solamente alrededor del 7% mundial, representa más del 15% del comercio sin incluir los intercambios intracomunitarios. Como reporta la Comisión, para el 2013 y en su conjunto, la UE se 
ubicó como el primer exportador de mercan cías y el segundo importador del mundo. 
Resultados económicos 3.4.  En el anterior examen de política comercia l se resaltaba que el período de examen fue difícil 
en materia económica para la UE, con un amplio número de medidas implementadas con miras a 
alcanzar un crecimiento más balanceado y sostenible, con efectos diversos sobre sus distintos 
miembros. Durante el período que cubre este examen, encontramos que las reformas estructurales y recuperación económica de la UE siguen en curso, aunque aún persisten varias 
dificultades y el crecimiento es aún limitado, mientras que el desempleo continúa en niveles 
elevados. 
3.5.  No puedo dejar de mencionar las dificultades asociadas a los eventos de los últimos meses, 
exacerbadas en los últimos días, relacionados con la situación de Grecia. Estos hechos añaden una 
nueva dimensión de incertidumbre a las perspectivas económicas de la Unión Europea. 
3.6.  A pesar de esto último, el panorama para el presente año muestra algunas señales de 
optimismo en materia de crecimiento, apoyados en algunos factores como la disminución de los 
precios del petróleo, la depreciación del euro y los esfuerzos en materia de expansión cuantitativa 
del Banco Central Europeo. Estos hechos deberían contribuir a aumentar la demanda interna y a mejorar las condiciones laborales, lo que a su vez puede ayudar a un aumento en las tasas de 
inversión, apoyada a su vez por el Plan en esta materia. 
3.7.  El panorama fiscal también parece estar mejorando, fruto de los varios esfuerzos en materia 
de consolidación fiscal, habiéndose reducido la relación déficit sobre PIB al 2,9% en la UE en el 
2014 y con proyecciones de alcanzar el 2% del PIB en el 2016. La relación deuda sobre PIB, 
parece haber alcanzado su pico el año pasado y debería empezar a declinar en la medida que se acelere el crecimiento. La recuperación, en todo caso, aún es frágil. 
3.8.  Un factor importante es la recuperación de la inversión, que en el 2014 estuvo estancada. 
Para contribuir a la misma, la UE puso en marcha un Plan de Inversiones para los tres próximos 
años, con el fin de apoyar a la economía real mediante inversiones en infraestructura de transporte, energía, redes de telecomunicación, entre otros.  
Comercio como factor de desarrollo y crecimiento. 
3.9.  Se señaló en el examen anterior al comercio como un factor esencial para la recuperación 
económica, el crecimiento y la generación de empleos. Cabe recordar que el objetivo de la política 
comercial de la UE apunta a que el mismo sirva como un motor para el crecimiento económico, y 
es visto en un marco más amplio que apunta también a alcanzar objetivos de desarrollo, sociales y ambientales. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  3.10.  En efecto, el comercio internacional mantiene su importancia dentro de la UE. Sus 
exportaciones al mundo han seguido creciendo, alcanzando cifras record en el 2013, aunque sus importaciones cayeron en el mismo año afectadas por la débil demanda interna - si bien se espera su recuperación en la medida que ésta se reactive. 
3.11.  El comercio intrarregional, aunque presentó una contracción marginal, sigue jugando un 
papel clave en la UE y es uno de los elementos más destacables del proceso de integración. Basta señalar que es más alto que el extra regional para casi cada miembro de la UE. En materia de 
comercio de servicios la situación es similar, pues para la mayoría de los Estados miembros 
representa más de la mitad de sus transacciones internacionales.  
Avances en la integración europea. 3.12.  La Unión Europea es el laboratorio de integración económica más avanzado en el mundo y 
la consolidación del mercado único es un elemento de alto interés para los Miembros, como lo 
reflejan las variadas preguntas recibidas. Los avances en esta materia también juegan un papel sustancial como herramientas para contribuir a las mejoras en competitividad y productividad y, 
en últimas, al crecimiento económico de sus miembros. 
3.13.  Es bien conocida la frase de Robert Schum an pronunciada en 1950: "Europa no se hará de 
una vez ni en una obra de conjunto: se hará gracias a realizaciones concretas". Los informes 
muestran nuevas realizaciones concretas en la integración de la UE, tanto en lo referente a 
completar el perfeccionamiento del mercado común en diversas áreas, como en adaptarse a nuevos desarrollos como la economía digital. Todo esto inmerso entre la complejidad que implica el reparto de competencias entre la Comisión y los Estados miembros. 
3.14.  Si bien el universo de temas es muy amplio, señalaré algunos asuntos en materia de política 
comercial que vale la pena destacar, en los que en varios casos se aprecian avances frente al examen anterior: 
3.15.  En materia arancelaria, subsisten las condiciones identificadas en el anterior examen de 
política comercial. Aunque en general la UE es un mercado abierto, con un promedio aritmético de sus niveles arancelarios de 6,5% en el 2014, el promedio arancelario para los bienes agrícolas, 
que se situó en 14,6%, continúa siendo sustancialmente más alto que el 4,4 %, para los no 
agrícolas. Notamos que se dio una ligera reducción en ambos casos pero en el caso de los bienes agrícolas esto fue debido a la disminución de los tipos arancelarios no ad valorem  aplicados a 
dichos productos dado el aumento de precios. Esta diferencia entre niveles arancelarios es un 
tema que se ha discutido en el pasado y que resulta de importancia para muchos Miembros.  
3.16.  En el examen anterior se reseñaron las diferencias importantes que registran los Estados 
miembros en torno al tiempo y costos para importar y exportar, que aún persisten. De ahí la 
importancia de la adopción del Código Aduanero de la Unión, que se aplicará a partir de mayo del 
2016. Este es un instrumento que apunta a la simplificación y facilitación del comercio y va en línea con los esfuerzos adelantados en esta casa en esa materia, en la que la UE participó 
activamente. A esto se suman iniciativas como la implementación en curso de la ventanilla única, 
la ampliación del sistema de operadores económic os autorizados y sus acuerdos de reconocimiento 
mutuo, que en conjunto representan un desarrollo importante tanto para el mercado interno, como para terceros países. 
3.17.  En el examen anterior se anunciaban los cambios en la nueva etapa de la Política Agrícola 
Común, que abarca el período entre 2014 y 2020. Dado que la UE ocupa los primeros lugares como exportador e importador de productos agro pecuarios del mundo, cualquier evolución en sus 
políticas en esta materia puede tener impactos importantes en otros países, lo que explica el 
interés de los Miembros. Para el 2015, ya se encuentran en vigor las reformas introducidas, 
incluido un nuevo sistema de pagos directos, que progresivamente deben llevar a la convergencia 
del nivel de ayuda entre sus miembros manteniendo a su vez la tendencia a reducir la ayuda de 
caja ámbar y azul, mientras se aumenta la ayuda de caja verde. También es de resaltar que las 
tasas de subvención a las exportaciones se establecieron en cero desde el añoo 2013. 
3.18.  Dada su reciente puesta en marcha, el próximo examen nos brindará oportunidad de 
apreciar sus resultados. Es de anotar en todo ca so que la OCDE en su informe "Going for Growth" WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  del año 2015, recomienda una mayor reducción de los subsidios agrícolas y de las barreras de 
acceso al mercado para terceros países. 
3.19.  En contratación pública también se han producido avances, con nuevas directivas que 
apuntan a mayor transparencia y publicidad, simplificación y uniformidad en los procedimientos. El 
establecimiento del uso obligatorio de la contratación electrónica de manera progresiva, en 
especial, puede redundar en ahorros significativos y una mayor participación de oferentes. Aunque las compras abarcadas por la legislación europea van en aumento, subsiste una gran cantidad que 
se realiza por fuera de la misma.  
3.20.  En cuanto a los servicios financieros, se ha avanzado de manera importante en la 
implementación de reformas orientadas a incrementar la seguridad y mitigación de riesgos del sector. Estas incluyen el Código Normativo Único, mayor transparencia y protección a los 
inversionistas, herramientas para combatir el lavado de capitales y, especialmente, medidas para 
completar la unión bancaria y fortalecer el Euro. El reto es culminar su implementación y hacer operativos los aportes previstos. 
3.21.  En materia de telecomunicaciones, se destaca la iniciativa "un Continente Conectado", aún 
en discusión. Resalto que hace muy pocos días se anunció el acuerdo provisional entre la Presidencia y el Parlamento Europeo en torno a nuevas reglas para eliminar los cobros por 
"roaming" a partir de junio del 2017 y salvaguardar el acceso a internet asegurando un trato 
igualitario a todo el tráfico de datos. Si bien  este acuerdo aún debe ser confirmado por los 
miembros, es un desarrollo significativo. 
3.22.  Como recoge el informe de la Secretaría, el rol de las industrias basadas en el conocimiento 
y el uso intensivo de derechos de propiedad intelectual es muy importante en la economía de la 
Unión Europea. Estas representan alrededor del 39% de la misma y son además generadoras muy importantes de empleo. Si bien en diversas industrias tecnológicas sus empresas son líderes, la 
disminución en el número de solicitudes de patentes es tema de preocupación. Por esto, cobra 
importancia la implementación exitosa del programa Horizonte 2020 en materia de investigación e innovación y el fortalecimiento de los lazos entre investigadores y empresas. 
Participación en la OMC 
3.23.  Como mencioné anteriormente, la UE continúa siendo un jugador clave dentro del comercio 
mundial. Sus desarrollos internos en la medida que avanza su proceso de integración económica, así como sus acercamientos a otros mercados, y especialmente su rol aquí en Ginebra, son de 
importancia para la creación de nuevas disciplinas en materia comercial. 
3.24.  La UE en su informe asigna la mayor importancia a la OMC y ha transmitido una clara señal 
de apoyo a la conclusión de las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha, con resultados en todas sus 
áreas, así como a la elaboración del Plan de Trabajo acordado en Bali. Dado el estado actual de los 
trabajos, confío en que la UE continuará desempeñando un papel de liderazgo para poder cumplir con la tarea que nos han encomendado. Necesitamos asegurar una Conferencia Ministerial exitosa, 
en este año en que celebramos el vigésimo aniversario de la constitución de la OMC. 
3.25.  También, en esta casa, han jugado un papel significativo en otros esfuerzos, como la 
culminación del Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio, y los trabajos en curso para la expansión del Acuerdo sobre Tecnologías de la Información y el Acuerdo sobre bienes ambientales. Sobre el AFC, 
conviene recordar que la UE es uno de los princi pales países donantes para la implementación del 
mismo. Su ratificación a tiempo para Nairobi, por parte de la UE, será sin duda necesaria para asegurar la rápida entrada en vigencia del mismo.  
3.26.  Es de señalar, especialmente después de la semana pasada, que la UE continúa siendo 
junto con sus Estados miembros, el mayor proveedor de ayuda para el comercio del mundo. Finalmente, cabe recordar el papel muy activo que ejerce tanto en los trabajos ordinarios en los 
diversos Consejos y Comités como en el Mecani smo de Solución de Di ferencias de la OMC. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  Otras negociaciones comerciales 
3.27.  Muchos otros frentes en materia comercial ha abierto la UE durante el período de examen, 
pues para ellos la negociación de nuevos acuerdos bilaterales crea oportunidades de mercado, crecimiento y empleo. En este período se han puesto en vigor cuatro nuevos acuerdos comerciales 
(incluyendo el Acuerdo de Asociación con Colombia y Perú, vigente desde el 2013), culminado 
negociaciones con tres socios, iniciado con cuatro, además de continuar en curso otras ocho negociaciones. Como en el examen anterior, los resultados de sus negociaciones con Japón y los 
Estados Unidos serán de mucho interés para los Miembros, pues su impacto puede trascender 
ampliamente la esfera bilateral.  
3.28.  La UE también participa en los trabajos para la conclusión de un Acuerdo sobre el Comercio 
de Servicios (TISA - por sus siglas en inglés), sector de gran importancia para su economía y para 
la generación de empleos, al ser el principal exportador e importador mundial de servicios. 
Desafíos y conclusiones 3.29.  Aunque la UE es el esquema de integr ación más avanzado del mundo, existen todavía 
diversas esferas en las que la competencia es compartida con los Estados miembros. La variedad 
de la regulación emanada de reglamentos, decision es y directivas tiene efectos distintos entre sus 
miembros, siendo estas últimas las que mayores desafíos presentan, por la necesidad de ser 
incorporadas a la legislación nacional mediante actos legislativos. Requieren por tanto una 
cuidadosa elaboración, de manera que se reduzcan los riesgos de que su aplicación no sea uniforme, incluido el potencial para afectar al comercio intrarregional y a terceros países. 
3.30.  A modo de ejemplo, en materia de inversión, si bien existen disposiciones comunes 
derivadas del Tratado de Funcionamiento de la Unión Europea, se pueden encontrar diversas 
restricciones en función del lugar donde se establezca una empresa, particularmente en el sector de servicios. En materia tributaria, las diferencias marcadas entre los distintos sistemas y tipos de 
impuesto aplicados a la renta, a las sociedades y las cargas en materia de seguridad social por 
cada Estado miembro, también alteran las condiciones del mercado. Estas son dos áreas en los que nuevos desarrollos contribuirían al mejor comportamiento del mercado único. 
3.31.  No son estas las únicas áreas, por supuesto. El camino por recorrer para la UE es largo. El 
denominado "Informe de los cinco Presidentes", publicado recientemente, menciona que "El mercado único sigue incompleto en sectores significativos, tales como el de bienes y servicios, y en sectores cuyo potencial aún no se ha explotado, tales como el energético, el digital y el de los 
mercados de capitales". 
3.32.  Varias líneas de acción se esbozan, que enmarcan muy bien las prioridades sugeridas por la 
OCDE. Uno, es necesario continuar fortaleciendo el funcionamiento del mercado único. La 
movilidad laboral es un factor clave dentro de esto, así como avanzar en la armonización en 
materia tributaria. Dos, se debe avanzar en la remoción de obstáculos a la inversión y la libre circulación de capitales al tiempo que se progresa en la consolidación de una unión bancaria y de 
un mercado común de capitales. 
3.33.  Tres, es necesario incrementar las perspectivas de crecimiento, lo que implica a su vez 
trabajar en ámbitos como la energía y la economía digital. También en esta línea será necesario aplicar con mayor eficacia las políticas para aumentar la competencia en materia de servicios de 
transporte, telecomunicaciones, postales y otros. 
3.34.  Culmino con una cita extraída del informe en cuestión: "Una unión económica y monetaria 
completamente realizada no constituye un fin en sí misma. Es un medio para crear una vida mejor 
y más justa para todos los ciudadanos, para preparar a la Unión frente a futuros retos mundiales y 
para permitir prosperar a cada uno de sus miembros." 
3.35.  Espero por tanto que puedan superar los retos estructurales y coyunturales, como los que 
llenan los titulares de prensa estos días, para seguir avanzando en esta unión que, estoy 
convencido, beneficia a todos los Miembros de la OMC. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  3.36.  Agradezco de nuevo esta oportunidad de servir como ponente y espero que estas 
reflexiones contribuyan a un exitoso examen. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
MALAYSIA  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN 
4.1.  The ASEAN-EU dialogue was formalized in July 1977 and, since then, economic relations 
between ASEAN and the EU have grown stronger. The EU is ASEAN's second largest trading 
partner, contributing 9.8% of total ASEAN trade at US$246 billion in 2013. The FDI flows from the 
EU increased considerably totalling US$26.7 billion. The EU is ASEAN's biggest source of FDI with a share of 22.3% of the total FDI. 
4.2.  Negotiations on an ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement were launched in July 2007. While 
negotiations took a pause in March 2009, we expect discussions to resume upon the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.  
4.3.  ASEAN appreciates the EU's assistance through the ASEAN Regional Integration Support from 
the EU (ARISE) programme. The programme supports  the capacities of the ASEAN member States 
in harmonizing and implementing policies and regulations in economic sectors so as to contribute to the realization of the AEC.  
4.4.  Enhancing air transport connectivity would fu rther promote region-to-region trade growth. Air 
traffic between ASEAN and EU doubled over the last  15 years and is expected to grow by 65% in 
the next 20 years. In this regard, ASEAN welcomes the Joint Communication released by the 
European Commission and the EU High Representati ve for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 
May 2015, on the need for enhanced EU-ASEAN partnership, including starting formal negotiations on a region-to-region civil aviation agreement. 
4.5.  As the Secretariat report has noted, the EU has experienced the most challenging time during 
the past two years due to the aggravation of the so vereign-debt crisis and the focus since then has 
been centered on recovering from the financial crises. Recent developments however are a cause 
for concern as it could impact on global financial stability. We hope that the EU would come out 
stronger from it and it is commendable that during  the review period, the EU continues to maintain 
a relatively open and transparent trade regime. 
4.6.  ASEAN commends the EU's active participatio n in the multilateral trading system. The EU has 
consistently played an important role in the Doha negotiations and we look forward to working 
closely with the EU to achieve concrete outcom es in all areas ahead of the 10th Ministerial 
Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. 
4.7.  Some of us in ASEAN have submitted writte n questions to the delegation of the EU and would 
like to thank the EU in advance for their written responses. We would also like to thank 
Ambassador Angelos Pangratis and his delegation for their constructive engagement with delegations here in Geneva. 
MALAYSIA 
4.8.  Malaysia's total trade with the EU in 2014 was US$37 billion, an increase of more than 6% 
from the previous year. Exports increased by almost 12% to US$19 billion, while imports grew 
around 1%.  
4.9.  On the investment front, as Malaysia's major source of foreign investment, more than 
1,000 European companies have invested some US$15 billion in Malaysia. It is also worth noting that, some of these companies have established th eir global trading headquarters in Malaysia.  
4.10.  In order to further intensify trade and investment potential of both countries, the 
Malaysia-EU FTA (MEUFTA) was launched in 2010. Both sides view the FTA as an important milestone in our economic relations and are committed to move the negotiations forward and have 
it concluded. 
4.11.  Notwithstanding this excellent track record , there are areas of concerns on the EU's trade 
and investment policies. As among the world's largest economy and biggest trading block, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  needless to say policies by the EU have a far-reaching influence on global economy and more on 
developing countries.  
4.12.  On tariffs, while we commend the EU for having bound all its tariff lines, of which around 
one quarter are duty free, Malaysia is highly concerned that the EU's agricultural sector remains 
considerably protected and the tariff regime remains complex. The applied tariff rates for 
agricultural products are nearly four times th e rates of non-agricultural products. For some 
products, tariff can be more than 150% and seasonal duty is applicable for certain products. Thus, 
we encourage the EU to show leadership through liberalization of its agricultural sector. 
4.13.  On specific sectoral issues, Malaysia remains concerned on the treatment of palm based 
biofuel under various regulations including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and Indirect 
Land Use Change (ILUC). Under these regulations, palm based biodiesel is given a lower default 
value compared to biodiesel from other competing raw materials such as rapeseed oil. Malaysia's 
sustainability efforts have been globally recognis ed and that crop-rotation is already in place in 
Malaysia, as part of our agricultural and land use policies and practices, and this contributes 
significantly to our food-biofuel balance. The EU in its ambitious pursuit of energy and climate 
targets should not overlook the fact that palm oil is an essential part of the livelihood of more than 800,000 Malaysian farmers, most of whom are micro small-holders.  
4.14.  In conclusion, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the delegation of the EU for its 
response to our questions. We will also be subm itting additional questions and look forward to 
receiving the response.  
AUSTRALIA 
4.15.  The scale of Australia's trade and investment relationship with the EU gives us a major 
stake in the application of trade and industry policies in the EU. The EU constitutes Australia's largest source of foreign investment and second largest trading partner, total two-way trade 
exceeded $A80 billion in 2013-14. Australia is also  a significant market for the EU; its 15th largest 
merchandise export market and 7th largest services market. 
4.16.  We note both the EU and Australia have ambitious forward agendas of free trade agreement 
negotiations. Given the size of the bilateral trade and investment relationship, the Australian 
Government has made clear publicly that it is positively disposed to an Australia-EU FTA, one that would be ambitious and focussed on expanding trade.   
4.17.  We look forward to continuing to work with the EU multilaterally, plurilaterally and 
bilaterally to ensure our trade and investment relationship reaches its potential. 
4.18.  We acknowledge the reform measures the EU has adopted since the last Trade Policy 
Review in 2013 and encourage the EU to continue to  open its market to support global economic 
growth.   
4.19.  We welcome improvements to the EU's inte rnal market to the extent that these deliver 
positive impacts for the global trading system. But recent efforts to harmonize regulation and 
improve transparency have been diluted in some areas by inconsistent application of EU legislation 
across the EU's member states.  
4.20.  As a long term critic of the trade impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy, Australia has 
been pleased to note the trend toward more market-based policies. We are pleased that the EU 
has not issued export refund grants since July 2013 and that no products were bought into public 
intervention stocks in this period. The EU would show genuine global leadership by committing to the permanent elimination of these measures. The EU removed its dairy production quotas on 
31 March 2015; this will inevitably have an impact on international dairy commodity prices.   
4.21.  Australia looks forward to continuing to work  closely with the EU in the lead up to and at 
MC10. 
4.22.  Australia shares with the EU a commitment to a strong and effective rules-based global 
trading system. Australia appreciates the leadership role the EU plays in the WTO, including in WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  monitoring and enforcement of existing ru les, and in the WTO's negotiating agenda. 
Commensurate with its size and economic power, the EU is a leader in the Doha negotiations and we appreciate the contributions the EU has signalled it can make to bring that negotiation to a successful conclusion. Ongoing EU leadership will be necessary if we are to encourage all WTO 
Members to bring a sense of renewed urgency to our efforts to agree to a meaningful package of 
outcomes in Nairobi, including for concluding the Round. We would, in this context, like to acknowledge publically the enormous contributi o n  m a d e  o v e r  t h e  l a s t  f e w  y e a r s  b y  t h e  E U  
Ambassador to the WTO, Mr Angelos Pangratis. 
4.23.  Australia is working closely with the EU and other Members to take forward negotiations on 
the plurilateral Trade in Services Agreement. Australia supports a high-ambition TiSA outcome, 
and we look forward to working with the EU with a view to concluding the negotiations in 2016. We 
also welcome the constructive role the EU is playing in negotiations of the Environmental Goods 
Agreement and towards expansion of the Information Technology Agreement. 
4.24.  We thank the EU for its answers to our ques tions and wish it well in its Trade Policy Review 
this week. 
MÉXICO 4.25.  La UE es el tercer socio comercial de México. Durante los últimos quince años, los 
intercambios comerciales con ese bloque se mult iplicaron por 3.5, alcanzando 64,950 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. en 2014. La UE es la segunda fuente de inversión extranjera directa en México, habiendo acumulado inversiones por 149,146 millones de dólares EE.UU. desde 1999, 38% del total recibido por México desde entonces. 
4.26.  A quince años de la entrada en vigor de nuestro Tratado de Libre Comercio, en el año 2000, 
nuestra principal prioridad bilateral es poner en marcha este año, el proceso de inicio de negociaciones para su modernización, avanzar hacia un mayor diálogo político, profundizar la 
cooperación y fortalecer el comerc io y los flujos de inversión. 
4.27.  Tal como lo señala el informe de la Secretaría, siendo una de las mayores economías y 
entidades comerciales a nivel global, la UE desempeña un papel fundamental en el sistema 
multilateral de comercio. Es de hecho la región con la mayor participación en las cadenas globales 
de valor (66%); también tiene la participación más elevada de valor agregado extranjero en las exportaciones (39%), muy por encima del promedio mundial (28%). Representando poco más de la tercera parte de su PIB, el comercio de bienes y servicios es primordial para su economía.  
4.28.  Notamos con preocupación que los factores que más han marcado a la economía de la UE 
desde su último examen de las políticas comerciales, celebrado en 2013, han seguido siendo el bajo y frágil crecimiento y la delicada evolución de la crisis monetaria en la zona del euro, además 
del elevado desempleo y el estancamiento de la inversión. Son de encomiar las diversas medidas 
implementadas para hacer frente a estas dificultades, tanto a nivel del Banco Central Europeo, la Comisión y los Estados miembros. Confiamos en que los esfuerzos y reformas desplegados, 
incluyendo los avances en la implementación del mecanismo único de supervisión financiera, 
coadyuvarán a un rebalanceo de las políticas fiscal y monetaria, y a generar mejores condiciones para lograr una mejor estabilidad financiera internacional y regresar a la Unión hacia la senda de un mayor crecimiento. 
4.29.  En este sentido, es alentador percatarnos que los pronósticos de crecimiento del Banco 
Mundial se han revisado al alza, y que dicho crecimiento podría alcanzar el 1,5% en este año, y 1,7% en 2016, lo que permitiría ubicar a la Unión en niveles similares al del año 2011. Se espera 
que el mayor crecimiento reactivará la demanda de importaciones, para lograr en el 2015 un 
superávit de la cuenta corriente a un nivel record del 3,5% del PIB. 
4.30.  En materia comercial propiamente, como bien lo señala el informe de la Secretaría, la UE 
sigue siendo una economía abierta y transparente. Aplaudimos la puesta en marcha de una 
iniciativa de aduana electrónica y una ventanilla única, lo que ayudará en ese sentido. Esperamos que la UE anuncie de aquí a diciembre de este año su ratificación del Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.31.  Es interesante observar que mientras en el año 2006 menos de una cuarta parte del 
comercio de la UE estaba enmarcada en tratados de libre comercio, esta cifra se convertirá en dos terceras partes de dicho comercio, una vez que se concluyan las negociaciones que este bloque lleva a cabo actualmente con EEUU y con el Japón. Lo cual hará que solo unos pocos países 
comerciarán con la UE bajo el régimen NMF.  
4.32.  La agricultura sigue siendo el sector que más nos crea preocupación. No solo los productos 
agropecuarios siguen gozando de un nivel de protección arancelario más elevado, con picos 
arancelarios notables; la adopción reciente de un paquete de medidas que afecta a la cadena 
agroalimentaria, podría significar la creación de obstáculos al comercio en este sector. Si bien son de encomiar los esfuerzos de reforma de la política agrícola común y de celebrar la posible reducción de las distorsiones de la producción en la UE que se espera de dichas reformas, todavía 
existe un camino importante por andar en materia de reducción de las distorsiones comerciales de 
la PAC.  
4.33.  Por otro lado, se observan importantes avan ces en diversos sectores de servicios, como el 
de telecomunicaciones y el financiero. Aplaudimos estos y otros iniciativas y logros registrados por 
la UE durante estos últimos años, incluyendo su apego al compromiso adquirido en el marco del G20 de resistir el proteccionismo, aún en medio de las dificultades que ha estado atravesando.  
4.34.  No me queda más que agradecer las respue stas a las preguntas planteadas por México que 
la UE nos ha remitido, al tiempo que me permito resaltar el papel activo y constructivo que desempeña la delegación de la UE, encabezada por el Embajador Angelos Pangratis, en los trabajos de esta Organización, incluyendo en las negociaciones de la Ronda de Doha, en el marco 
del cual esperamos seguir colaborando muy de cerca con la UE con miras a su exitosa conclusión 
en Nairobi.  
CANADA 
4.35.  Allow me to begin by saying a few words about Canada and the EU's broader bilateral 
relationship, before moving on to the economic environment and specific trade issues.  
4.36.  The EU is already Canada's second largest trade and investment partner with two-way trade 
in goods and services totalling more than $125 billion and the two-way stock of investment 
reaching over $380 billion in 2014. Our economic relationship is poised to take the next step with the conclusion of the historic Comprehensive Econom ic and Trade Agreement, or "CETA" for short.   
4.37.  CETA sets the gold standard of 21st cent ury trade agreements. On the day CETA comes into 
force, 98% of all EU and Canadian tariff lines will be duty free, rising to 99% when CETA is fully in 
force. Beyond this, CETA will promote long-lasting value chain linkages by addressing the full range of elements that shape modern international trade, including by providing service suppliers 
with the most favourable access ever provided  by the EU or Canada, opening new procurement 
opportunities, including at the sub-national and municipal levels, and breaking new ground in a number of other areas, such as intellectual property protection, investment, non-tariff barriers, 
and regulatory cooperation.   
4.38.  CETA demonstrates Canada and the EU's commitment to free and open trade, a 
commitment that extends to our work here at the WTO. I would like to thank the EU for its engagement across WTO bodies, and I look forw ard to their continued leadership in the 
Information Technology, Environmental Goods, and Trade in Services negotiations. Canada 
recognizes and appreciates the EU's consistent efforts to engage constructively and pragmatically in negotiations on the post-Bali work program, and we support the EU's consistent calls for 
Members to focus on outcomes that are do-able and realistic. I look forward to continuing our 
close collaboration in the lead up to the Nairobi Ministerial Conference. 
4.39.  Trade can be a lever for growth and reforms, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. 
Putting yesterday's developments to one side, lower oil prices, accommodative monetary policy 
and a weaker currency have contributed to improve economic conditions in the euro area since the start of 2015. However, with very high unemplo yment and lagging investment, the sustainability 
of the recovery remains fragile. Lending to the private sector is also slow to recover, the recent 
rise in bond markets volatility unfortunately may mitigate some of the positive impact the WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  European Central Bank's €1.1 trillion asset purchase program has had on financial conditions, this 
more so if the crisis in Greece is not addressed in a timely manner. To guard against these risks it will be important that European authorities remain committed to a comprehensive approach, encompassing supportive monetary and fiscal policies and ambitious structural reforms. 
4.40.  First, in terms of economic reforms, Ca nada welcomes the establishment of the Single 
Supervisory Mechanism as the banking supervisor for all banks in the Euro area and encourages the EU to continue efforts to enhance the robustness of its deposit guarantee schemes directive.    
4.41.  Second, with respect to reforms to ma ximize trade's contribution to growth, uneven 
implementation of EU legislation and lengthy re gulatory development processes raise business 
costs and create bottlenecks to enhancing employme nt and competition in the EU marketplace; as 
do the implementation of regulations ostensibly under the legitimate objectives of protecting 
human, animal, and plant health as well as the environment. While Canada and the EU both 
recognize the importance of these objectives, measures taken by the EU are not always science-based; nor do they meet the test of "not more trade-restrictive than necessary".  
4.42.  For example, the EU's approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) continues to be 
an area of significant concern. While we welcome the College of Commissioners' recent decision to 
finally authorize 19 genetically-modified events th at had been awaiting approvals for quite some 
time, we are deeply troubled by the Commission's proposal to allow member States to opt out of 
using GMOs in their own territory after they have  been approved by the EU and deemed safe for 
consumers and the environment. It remains unclear how the new policy would be implemented, and what impact it would have on Canada's exports to the EU. 
4.43.  Lastly, Canada continues to monitor the EU's efforts to implement the rulings and 
recommendations of the DSB concerning the EU Seal Regime. At the same time, Canada is also working to operationalize the indigenous exemption under that regime. Any amendments to the EU 
Seal Regime must be implemented in a manner that does not adversely affect the Inuit and other 
indigenous communities. 
4.44.  Canada has submitted several questions reflecting our concerns in areas such as 
agriculture, transport, government procurement, and technical barriers to trade and thank the EU 
for its responses to these questions. We look forw ard to a constructive exchange of views during 
this review.   
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
4.45.  The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu enjoys a strong 
economic relationship with the European Union as  a whole, and some very close and warm ties 
with its individual member States.  
4.46.  As a single entity, the EU is our fourth largest trading partner, with total value of two-way 
trade of US$50.94 billion in 2014. The EU is one of our largest sources of foreign investment, and in 2013 the European Union was our second largest group of registered foreign investors. 
Naturally, we take a close, active interest in the European Union's trade and investment policy. 
4.47.  Despite the macroeconomic and fiscal problems affecting some of its member States, we 
are pleased to note that the EU has managed to maintain a relatively open and transparent trade and investment regime. We also welcome the EU's stated objectives to reform the financial 
services sector in order to improve the stability of the financial institutions and markets. And, in 
particular, we applaud its efforts to implement a single window system of electronic customs and 
authorized economic operators with a view to accelerating the customs clearance process. Such 
measures will no doubt be especially welcomed by traders, who will be the real beneficiaries of 
trade facilitation. 
4.48.  This being said, I would like to mention a few specifics of the EU's trade policies and 
practices, where we have concerns or a need further clarification. 
4.49.  Firstly, regarding the EU's Alignment Package, consisting of eight directives on low voltage 
electrical equipment, electromagnetic compatibility and other products. We fear these additional WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  measures might create unnecessary trade obstacles and have a negative impact on imports from 
non-EU countries. 
4.50.  Secondly, with regard to the decision-m aking process on technical examinations on the 
Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) of a plant variety, we expect all WTO Member 
applicants to be treated equally, with no discrim ination that might contradict the principles of 
Most-Favoured-Nation and National Treatment. 
4.51.  Thirdly, on contingency measures, we note that the European Union is one of the most 
active users of antidumping and safeguard measures . At the end of 2014, for example, the EU had 
108 antidumping (AD) and 14 countervailing measures in place. We would urge, therefore, a more prudent approach to initiating the actions or investigations, so that such measures do not constitute a systemic barrier to trade. 
4.52.  Fourthly, as mentioned in the Secretariat report, while the EU's average MFN tariff is quite 
low at 6.4%, some sectors, particularly man-made filaments and staple fibres, still have higher protection. We would therefore encourage the EU to reduce the tariff rate of some products on 
chapter 54 and 55. 
4.53.  We appreciate the answers to our questions already provided by the European Union. We 
shall be submitting after the meeting a follow-up question on the Aggregation rules of government 
procurement Directives and we look forward to the EU's reply in due course. 
4.54.  Last, but not least, I would like to make the point, if I may, that  the current Greek debt 
crisis could have an impact on the European economy, and a "knock-on" effect on global prosperity if it remains unresolved for much longer. I would also like to bring to your attention that 
the European Central Bank's Euro Quantitative Easing policy and the depreciation in the value of 
the euro has the direct effect of making the EU's exports more competitive, which has certain implications for the principle of fair trade throughout the world. 
4.55.  The EU still remains the world's largest trading bloc and a major leading economy. We hope 
it can recover soon and resume its role as an engine of global economic growth. 
4.56.  In closing, I would just like to acknowledge the role played by Ambassador Angelos 
Pangratis and his team in our collective work in Geneva, including on the DDA and other 
plurilateral negotiations. We look to the EU to continue to lead the way, both in support of a swift conclusion to the Doha Round and, more generally, in continuing the further liberalization of international trade. 
SUISSE 
4.57.  En raison de la proximité géographique et culturelle ainsi que de son poids économique, 
l'Union européenne, avec ses 28 États membres, est de loin le partenaire commercial le plus 
important de la Suisse. En 2014, la Suisse a exporté plus de la moitié de ses marchandises et 
services vers l'Union européenne et 2/3 de nos im portations en provenaient. En même temps, la 
Suisse figure parmi les plus importants partenaires de l'Union européenne, occupant la quatrième 
place dans le commerce des marchandises – avec €1 milliard de transactions commerciales par 
jour ouvrable –, et la deuxième place dans le commerce des services. La Suisse est aussi le deuxième investisseur étranger dans l'Union européenne. 
4.58.  Les règles de l'OMC ainsi que l'accord de libre-échange de 1972 forment la base des 
échanges commerciaux entre la Suisse et l'Union européenne. De plus, l'Union européenne et la 
Suisse ont construit un édifice bilatéral constitué de près de 120 accords bilatéraux qui offre un accès étendu et réciproque à leurs marchés respectifs. Ces accords se traduisent également par 
une collaboration étroite dans divers domaines autres qu'économiques tels que la recherche, la 
sécurité, l'asile ou l'environnement.  
4.59.  Du fait de l'étendue et l'intensité de nos relations, les difficultés dans la zone euro sont 
susceptibles d'avoir des répercussions particulièrement importantes pour la Suisse, notamment au 
niveau commercial. Bien que la situation économique soit en train de s'améliorer dans la plupart des pays de l'Union européenne, l'incertitude liée à la situation difficile dans laquelle se trouve la WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  Grèce envers ses créanciers est de taille. De telles incertitudes exercent de nouvelles pressions à 
la hausse sur le franc suisse, en tant que valeur refuge, affectant ainsi la compétitivité globale de nos entreprises.  
4.60.  Nous souhaitons saisir l'opportunité qui nous est offerte aujourd'hui pour aborder en 
particulier deux points qui nous préoccupent. 
4.61.  Premièrement, la Suisse s'inquiète de la manière dont les droits anti-dumping de l'Union 
européenne sont perçus sur des produits d'origine suisse lorsqu'ils contiennent une part 
négligeable de composants soumis à des droits anti-dumping de l'Union européenne. Selon notre 
lecture, une extension des mesures anti-dumping sans enquête préalable contrevient à l'Accord 
anti-dumping de l'OMC. Les questions écrites que nous avons posées à ce sujet contiennent de plus amples informations sur plusieurs cas qui nous préoccupent. 
4.62.  Deuxièmement, l'Union européenne poursu it un programme de négociations d'accords 
préférentiels très ambitieux, notamment avec les États-Unis, le Japon et d'importantes économies 
émergentes dont l'Inde, le MERCOSUR et plusieurs pays d'Asie du sud-est. La Suisse suit en 
particulier les négociations du TTIP avec les États-Unis de très près. Des accords entre grands 
partenaires commerciaux comportent un risque d'ex clusion d'autres partenaires. Dès lors, nous 
serions intéressés à savoir si l'Union européenne en visage des mesures pour réduire ce risque pour 
les pays tiers – pendant les négociations de l'accord ainsi qu'à la suite de sa conclusion, par 
exemple en prévoyant une éventuelle adhésion de pays tiers à l'accord.  
4.63.  Nous saluons et apprécions l'engagement de l'Union européenne pour le système 
commercial multilatéral et en particulier le travail très soutenu de son Représentant permanent à 
Genève, l'Ambassadeur Pangratis et de son équipe . Un engagement fort des grands acteurs est 
essentiel pour faire avancer les négociations à l'OMC, en particulier à ce stade critique, où le succès de la 10ème Conférence ministérielle à Nairobi n'est pas encore garanti. 
4.64.  Pour conclure, ma délégation exprime ses sincères remerciements pour les réponses aux 
questions écrites que nous sommes encore en trai n d'examiner et qui ont déjà suscité quelques 
questions de suivi. Nous souhaitons encore à l'Union européenne beaucoup de succès dans 
l'examen de sa politique commerciale. 
HONG
 KONG,  CHINA 
4.65.  Hong Kong, China (HKC) and the EU have all along enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial 
bilateral relationship. Last year, the EU was HKC's 2nd largest trading partner, and HKC ranked 
5th among the EU's trading partners in Asia. Our bilateral merchandise trade had grown to 
US$83.8 billion last year (2014), while our bilatera l services trade amounted to US$25 billion the 
year before (2013). 
4.66.  We also have an annual Structured Dialogue which is a useful forum to discuss bilateral 
trade and investment interests. I hope we can make good use of it to explore opportunities for further cooperation. 
4.67.  We are pleased to see the EU affirming its commitment to the successful conclusion of 
negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). EU being one of the largest and most 
influential trading entities in the world, its continuous and active engagement is essential to the success of multilateral trade negotiations. The EU will be issuing a new Communication this 
autumn to set revised priorities for its trade policy.  We very much hope that WTO work will remain 
central to that policy.  
Plurilateral agreements  
4.68.  Like the EU, HKC believes that plurilateral agreements can contribute to the multilateral 
trading system. Both of us are parties to th e Revised Government Procurement Agreement.  
Together with some other WTO Members, we are also pursuing plurilateral negotiations to 
liberalise trade in environmental goods and expa nd the product coverage of the Information 
Technology Agreement. We will continue to work closely with the EU and other participants towards the timely and successful conclusion of these negotiations. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.2  Trade Facilitation 
4.69.  We commend the EU's ongoing work in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its 
customs procedures, in particular through its electronic customs initiative. We look forward to the Union Customs Code being applied from May next year (2016), and EU's acceptance of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement, as Mr Re donnet said, well before MC10.   
Tariffs 4.70.  The EU has bound all its tariff lines and offered a quarter of them duty free. While the 
simple average bound rate is 6.5%, the applied rates for certain non-agricultural products such as 
motor vehicles and fish are significantly higher, at 22% and 26% respectively. Agriculture products 
receive even greater tariff protection. Not only are their average applied rate more than triple that 
of non-agriculture goods, but some of th eir bound rates also go beyond 100% in ad valorem  
equivalent terms, several reaching 635% at the peak. Agriculture imports also make up most of 
the non- ad valorem  lines, and have a more complex tariff structure. There is certainly room for 
improvement in all these respects.   
Agriculture 
4.71.  In fact, we believe more work, not limited to tariff reduction and simplification, can be done. 
Over the years, the EU has undertaken reforms to reduce domestic support in the Amber and Blue 
Boxes, and has stopped granting export refund  since 2013. However, the Common Agricultural 
Policy Reform does not directly address market access measures; total public funding for agriculture and rural development still stays at ov er €50 billion a year. We hope the EU will step 
up its efforts to liberalize its agricultural sector. 
Contingency measures 
4.72.  Meanwhile, the EU remains one of the major users of antidumping and countervailing 
measures. We understand that it has been working to improve transparency in the investigation 
procedures, and would like to hear the latest development.  
Technical regulations and standards 4.73.  Turning to technical barriers to trade, we welcome the EU's efforts in harmonising technical 
requirements and conformity assessment, and hope it can expedite work on medical devices, gas 
appliances, etc. 
Services 4.74.  On the Services side, we note with intere st a number of important regulatory changes. In 
the telecommunications sector, there is the "Connected Continent" legislative package which, 
when approved, will produce a truly single telecom market and bring about significant 
macroeconomic benefits. In the financial services sector, the various new regulations and 
directives will build new rules for a better financial system and complete the EU's banking union to 
strengthen the euro. In its Economic Survey last year, the OECD pointed out that barriers in services in the EU had, I quote, "hardly change d between 2008 and 2013, and even seem to have 
deteriorated in several EU countries". The OECD also observed that "unjustified and 
disproportionate requirements still remain wide spread among EU member States". We therefore 
encourage the EU to press ahead with its regulatory reforms, not only to harmonize intra-EU practices and enhance its own competitiveness, but also to open up its services markets and 
facilitate fore ign investment. 
Intellectual property 4.75.  We also encourage the EU to continue its good work in improving the legislative framework, 
so that copyright and related intellectual property rights can be better protected and enforced.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  Concluding remarks 
4.76.  We are fully aware of the challenges that  the EU is facing at the moment. How things 
develop will affect EU's trading environment and have far-reaching implications for the world economy. As the authorities make their best efforts to overcome the difficulties, we sincerely hope 
that a satisfactory solution can be found very soon. 
4.77.  Finally, I would like to commend the entire EU delegation, under the capable leadership of 
Ambassador Pangratis, for their contributions to the work of the WTO. We also thank the 
delegation for using the more interactive alternative timelines, and for the prompt replies it 
provided to our questions. 
COLOMBIA 4.78.  En el período que cubre este examen, han continuado las reformas estructurales orientadas 
a estimular la recuperación económica en la Unión europea, con resultados variados entre sus 
miembros. Si bien se aprecian mejoras en torno a la tasa de crecimiento y la recuperación de la demanda interna, aún hay retos muy significativos en materia de generación de empleo, tema en 
el que algunos estados miembros han presentado mejores resultados que otros.  
4.79.  Esta diferencia de resultados entre cada  uno de sus 28 integrantes también trae desafíos 
importantes en lo político, como se ha evidenciado en los últimos días. De todos modos, el 
panorama tiende a ser positivo este año, en materia de crecimiento, reactivación de la demanda,  
mejoras en la situación fiscal y en la tasa de desempleo, apoyados en el programa de flexibilización monetaria del Banco Central Europeo y el nuevo Plan de Inversiones para Europa.  
4.80.  Ha sido un período de prueba a la soli dez de las instituciones europeas y un elemento 
importante a resaltar es que, a pesar de las dificultades, la Unión europea siguió caracterizándose 
por ser una economía abierta, que aplica normas  y procedimientos transparentes. Los cambios 
introducidos durante el período en materia de política comercial no han acudido al proteccionismo 
como respuesta a las dificultades. 
4.81.  Más aún, en el período objeto de examen, la UE continuó siendo el mayor bloque comercial 
del mundo. El contar con una política comercial única y una legislación común en la mayoría de las 
esferas relacionadas con el comercio, son hechos que han contribuido a que el comercio 
desempeñe una función central en sus resultados económicos. Debe anotarse en todo caso que a pesar del aumento del valor de sus exportaciones en el 2013, su participación en el comercio mundial, como en el examen anterior, continúa descendiendo, pasando del 15,8% en 2010 al 15% 
en 2013.  
4.82.  En cuanto a la política comercial de la UE, queremos resaltar del informe de la Secretaría 
algunos hechos significativos:  
4.83.  En materia arancelaria, no se aprecian ca mbios significativos. Subsiste el alto grado de 
protección para algunos sectores y en particular la agricultura, la que a su vez se beneficia de los apoyos contenidos en la política agrícola común (PAC), que fue objeto de una revisión significativa, 
incluyendo el desarrollo de un nuevo esquema de pagos directos, la eliminación de las 
restituciones a la exportación y la eliminación progresiva de varias cuotas. Este es un paso más dentro de una tendencia clara de la UE a dejar de lado instrumentos de ayuda con efectos distorsionantes sobre el comercio, si bien anotamos que los niveles de ayuda siguen siendo 
elevados. 
4.84.  Si bien su promedio arancelario no ha disminuido, en la práctica, en función de los múltiples 
esfuerzos en materia de negociación de nuevos acuerdos comerciales, el acceso a su mercado 
viene mejorando. Durante el período de examen se aprecia un número amplio de acuerdos 
concluidos y puestos en vigor, entre los que recordamos el Acuerdo de Asociación suscrito con Colombia y Perú, que se encuentra vigente desde el 2013. Otras negociaciones en curso, y 
especialmente aquella con los Estados Unidos, revisten gran importancia – especialmente por el 
tipo de disciplinas que pueden resultar del mismo. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.85.  Ha continuado el proceso de armonización  en materia de requisitos técnicos y normas 
sanitarias y fitosanitarias, aprobándose nuevas directivas en el denominado paquete de adaptación, junto con otra legislación. Es de destacar que en el marco del Comité MSF de la OMC, los Miembros han manifestado preocupación por algunas disposiciones adoptadas en la UE durante 
este período, de especial interés para Colombia, en particular lo relacionado con los niveles 
máximos de residuos de pesticidas (criterios para la definición de los disruptores endocrinos) y la modificación de las regulaciones sobre Novel Food. 
4.86.  Tomamos nota de los avances presentados en  materia de contratación pública, en donde se 
han introducido reformas para mejorar la transparencia y la aplicación, y simplificar los procedimientos. En materia de propiedad intelectual, destacamos que se sigue avanzando hacia la aplicación de la patente unitaria, los trabajos en  materia de marcas y secretos comerciales, y 
especialmente el Programa Marco de Investigación e innovación, todos estos desarrollos 
importantes, dada la relevancia de los derechos de propiedad intelectual para las empresas de la Unión europea.  
4.87.  En cuanto a servicios, durante el período de examen se aprecian varios desarrollos 
importantes, particularmente en el sector de las telecomunicaciones, y los servicios financieros, donde se han continuado los ajustes normativos para el perfeccionamiento de la unión monetaria y 
bancaria. 
4.88.  En la OMC, y además de la importancia de su participación en las negociaciones de la Ronda 
Doha, resaltamos el valioso rol desempeñado en otras negociaciones, tales como la expansión del Acuerdo sobre Tecnologías de la Información (el ITA II) y muy especialmente en el Acuerdo de 
Facilitación del Comercio.   
4.89.  Sobre este último, celebramos los avances registrados en los informes en materia de 
simplificación y armonización de procedimientos aduaneros, funcionamiento de la ventanilla única 
y extensión y profundización del sistema de operadores económicos autorizados – todas estas 
disciplinas que contiene el Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio. También tomamos nota de que se encuentra en curso su trámite de ratificación, qu e confiamos estará listo para la MC10, ayudando 
así a su pronta entrada en vigor. 
4.90.  La UE es a su vez un usuario importante del mecanismo de solución de diferencias, en todos 
sus roles. Teniendo en cuenta las cargas que afronta actualmente el sistema, es un buen momento para recordar la importancia de avanzar rápidamente en las negociaciones para la mejora del 
entendimiento, tema en el que también la UE tendrá un papel importante que desempeñar.  
4.91.  Una frase pronunciada recientemente por el Presidente de la Comisión, Jean-Claude 
Juncker, da una perspectiva interesante de los desa fíos a futuro de la Unión Europea. En marzo de 
este año, señaló que su objetivo era "actuar en el interés europeo, en un momento en que Europa 
está en entredicho. Para hacer frente a las cues tiones que importan a los ciudadanos, y pueden 
acercar a Europa a sus ciudadanos. Para construir una Europa más fuerte y más próspera, pero 
también una más social y solidaria, una "Europa más justa", para conciliar los ciudadanos, no sólo 
con el proyecto europeo, sino también con ellos mismos, y para hacer una diferencia real". 
4.92.  Este es el desafío último al que se enfrentan la diversidad de estructuras económicas al 
interior del bloque: servir para ayudar a alcanzar, a todos los países miembros, el objetivo común 
de un mayor bienestar de la sociedad europea.   
4.93.  Con esto culmino mi intervención, sin antes agradecer a la Unión europea por las respuestas 
a las preguntas que formulamos y desearles un exitoso examen de política comercial. 
SINGAPORE 
4.94.  Singapore and the EU enjoy longstanding b ilateral ties, underscored by strong political and 
economic linkages. The EU is Singapore's third largest trading partner and largest foreign investor. 
Last year, bilateral trade amounted to approximately S$96 billion and total Foreign Direct 
Investment (FDI) from the EU was S$222 billion in 2013. Singapore's direct investment to the EU has increased almost eight-fold over the past decade, reaching $S80 billion in 2013. Over 11,000 EU companies have operations in Singapore, reflecting the importance of Singapore as a WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  gateway to Asia for EU companies. Singapore also enjoys warm and robust bilateral relations with 
individual EU member States. 
4.95.  The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which was concluded in May this year, 
following the initialling of the Investment Protection Chapter, is another cornerstone of our 
economic relations. The EU has decided to submit the EUSFTA to the European Court of Justice for 
its opinion on its competencies with regard to the ratification of the EUSFTA. This has delayed the ratification process, and Singapore hopes that the matter will be resolved very soon. The coming 
into force of the EUSFTA will be instrumental in bolstering bilateral trade flows, and will be an 
important anchor for the EU in the growing Southeast Asia region. Based on earlier EU estimates, bilateral trade could rise by almost €5 billion over ten years. More market access and commercial opportunities will be created for both Singapore and EU companies. The EUSFTA also serves as a 
building block towards an eventual EU-ASEAN FTA. 
4.96.  The EU is a major player in internationa l trade, accounting for 16.5% of world trade in 
goods and services. Despite the challenging economic outlook, we are heartened that the EU has 
continued to adopt a forward-looking, pro-trade agenda as an instrument to stimulate the global 
economy, foster domestic growth and create jo bs. The EU has maintain ed overall openness and 
transparency of its trade and investment regime. 
4.97.  However, we note with concern that ce rtain trade reforms may enact new trade barriers, 
rather than eliminate them. Areas of concern include: (1) the EU's complex decision making process on trade and investment matters; (2) burdensome customs procedures and practices; (3) access to the EU's public procurement market for small and medium enterprises of non-EU 
countries; and (4) the implementation of the EU's Directive on the award of service concessions. 
We have sought clarity on some of these issues through our written questions to the EU and take this opportunity to thank the EU for their detailed and prompt responses. Finally, we welcome and 
look forward to the EU's move towards a fully paperless environment for customs legislation and 
procedures. We hope that the implementation of this reform would be done smoothly and effectively so that traders would not be unnecessarily impacted by this transition. 
4.98.  Both the EU and Singapore are strong supporters of the multilateral trading system. We 
look forward to the EU's continued active contribu tions to the work of the WTO, and its leadership 
in driving the conclusion of the DDA. Singapore welcomes the update that the process of ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA ) is under way and we look forward to the EU's 
ratification of the TFA as soon as possible. 
4.99.  Finally, our delegation has always enjoyed excellent working relations and good cooperation 
with Ambassador Pangratis and his very able team in Geneva. We look forward to continuing this, 
in our common goal of upholding the multilateral trading system. 
NEW
 ZEALAND 
4.100.  New Zealand has a strong, long-standing, and broadly-based relationship with the EU. Now 
our third-largest trading partner, the European Union remains a significant and highly valued 
economic partner for New Zealand. Accordingly, New Zealand takes an active interest in the European Union's trade and investment policy.   
4.101.  Since the EU's last review, we have seen the ongoing progress in bedding in the 
Commission's new responsibilities in the area of trade negotiations and investment policy.   
4.102.  In this regard, we have observed the trend, noted in the Secretariat's report, towards even 
greater integration of Member States within the EU. It is encouraging to note the OECD's 
assessment that structural reforms undertaken to enhance EU competitiveness are, despite mixed 
progress across EU economies, tracking overall well above pre-crisis levels. 
4.103.  We note the importance of the EU continuing to take into account the implications for its 
external trade relations of its drive for closer internal integration. In this regard, we were 
interested to note in the Secretariat report that the EU's share of world trade in goods and services has continued to decline over this period. Also, the direction of the EU's merchandise trade does WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  not appear to have changed much over this period, despite significant shifts in the global 
economy. 
4.104.  As Commissioner Malmström indicated in her recent speech at EU Trade Policy Day, 90% 
of world growth is going to happen outside the EU's borders over the coming years. The 
Commissioner's speech goes on to recognize the need for the EU to be fully engaged in this 
external growth. This, of course, has a bearing on the way the EU develops and implements its 
approaches to internal integration, as well as on its external trade and investment policy. 
4.105.  A further significant development in the EU's trade policy since the last review has been 
the conclusion of negotiations for preferential trade agreements with Canada and with Singapore, as well as progress in negotiations with the United States, Japan and Vietnam. 
4.106.  The Commissioner's clear indication that the EU was looking to deepen its Asia/Pacific 
strategy, including through stepping up its engage ment across the "whole zone" of our Asia/Pacific 
region was also very welcome.   
4.107.  We also welcome the clear indications by Commissioner Malmström that the EU sees itself 
as having a responsibility – as a major international economic player committed to a rules-based 
international system – to help address the idling we have seen in the WTO's trade policy making function in recent years. The connection the Commissioner has made pointing to the relevance of 
the multilateral trading system - with its ability to develop and enforce consistent trade rules 
across the globe – in the context of the expanding nature of global value chains in 21st century 
international trade, is an important one for all of us to reflect on. As we look ahead to Nairobi, we look to the EU to continue to exercise leadership in building a consensus around a credible 
outcome from MC10. And in this regard can I pay tribute to the very positive contribution and well 
known optimism of EU Permanent Representative  Angelos Pangratis who will soon be leaving 
Geneva. He will be sorely missed. 
4.108.  In previous reviews, New Zealand has expressed concerns about aspects of the Common 
Agricultural Policy. New Zealand recognizes and commends the ongoing efforts of the EU to reform the CAP and joins others in encouraging the EU in  the direction of greater market orientation and 
reduction of distortions to international trade.   
4.109.  In this regard, the EU's removal of dairy production quotas from 1 April this year, as part 
of a programme of progressive removal of such quotas has been a development of considerable 
interest to New Zealand. We look forward to furt her exploring the opportunities presented by this 
landmark policy decision for both EU producers and their partners in other countries. 
4.110.  New Zealand has nonetheless raised some questions in this review around the ongoing 
reform of the CAP, including on further plans th e EU has to reduce market distortions and better 
equip farmers to respond to market incentives. We note the considerable scope that remains for 
further progress on market access, especially for agricultural products, where the EU retains a high number of complex and prohibitive tari ffs on highly-traded products.   
4.111.  In another of the agriculture pillars, Ne w Zealand welcomes the EU's ongoing restraint in 
the use of agricultural export subsidies, with export subsidy rates set at zero and new rules reducing the use of export refunds to 'exceptional  circumstances'. Further, recalling that export 
subsidies are the most damaging form of agricultur al support, we continue to encourage the EU to 
move towards full elimination of such subsidies.  
4.112.  Like the EU, we understand the value of wo rking to ensure these objectives are mutually 
reinforcing. We welcome the contribution the EU has shown in such initiatives as the EGA 
negotiations. 
4.113.  New Zealand also has some questions about the Common Fisheries Policy reform. It is 
encouraging that processes have been established to prevent illegal fishers benefiting from 
subsidies and that the EU will ensure all its over fished stocks are recovered by no later than 2020. 
We note the EU nonetheless remains the largest subsidiser in the world and its fleet fishes the high seas around the world and in the EEZs of many other Members. We therefore look forward to a 
continuation of its reform efforts take this opportunity to recall the importance we attach to the WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  on-going processes in the WTO and other fora aimed at addressing fisheries subsidies that 
contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. 
4.114.  New Zealand is also looking forward to becoming a member of the WTO GPA shortly and, 
against that background, we're taking a close inte rest in the ongoing evolution of the procurement 
regimes of other GPA members, including, of course, the EU. 
4.115.  In conclusion, we note the importance of the EU – as the world's largest economy - 
maintaining and continuing to strengthen its broadly open and market-orientated approach to 
international trade policy. This is vital not only for the health of the global economy and the 
multilateral trading system, but also for the EU 's own quest for jobs, growth and investment. 
CHINA 4.116.  Please allow me to express my sincere thanks to Angelos and his Geneva team for the 
devotional and constructive work they have done in the past years to strengthen the multilateral 
trading system. 
4.117.  As the world's largest economy with a popula tion of over 500 million, the EU is taking up 
more than 17% of the world's GDP, and holding a vital position in today's global political and 
economic arena. During the review period, in order to combat aftermath of financial crisis, EU has taken a series of important measures such as easing monetary policy, strengthening fiscal 
disciplines and implementing the Investment Plan for Europe. Still, EU and its Members are 
confronted with a set of challenges and uncerta inties, the fragile recovery, high unemployment, 
stagnant investment and massive public debt. Of course, the greatest challenge will be the "No" referendum of Greece yesterday. 
4.118.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China 
and EU. Through our common efforts, this relationship has become one of the most important, stable and constructive partnerships in the world. Last week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang paid his 
first official visit to EU, and met with new EU leadership at the 17th China-EU Leaders' Meeting. 
Two sides decided to strategically connect China's Silk Road and Economic Belt Initiatives with EU's Investment Plan for Europe, which will provide new impetus to Sino-EU economic and trade 
ties and industrial capacity cooperation, ultimately promoting the bilateral partnerships for peace, 
growth, reform and civilization. 
4.119.  Today, EU is the biggest trading partner and largest import source of China, and China is 
the largest import source, second biggest trading partner and export market of the EU. In 2014, 
bilateral trade volume grew steadily and stood at US$600 billion, representing a 7% growth on the 
year-to-year basis. Two-way investment has achieved significant growth for the same period, with Chinese investment in the EU increasing  from US$3.62 billion and US$9.85 billion.  
4.120.  At Present, we are intensively negotiating the China-EU BIT. So far, there have been six 
rounds of such talks, with a view to achieving a comprehensive, balanced and high-standard investment agreement. Meanwhile, China is calling for an earlier joint feasibility study on China-EU 
FTA, which will help combat pr otectionism and further promote th e economic and trade exchanges. 
We strongly believe that these efforts will help lift the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height. 
4.121.  As pointed out by the Secretariat report, although the EU generally remains an open and 
transparent economy, some barriers still exist. China would like to draw your attention to some of 
our concerns, i.e., EU's extensive use of anti-dumping measures, high level of subsiding for agriculture, strict export control on high-tech products to China and particularly the TRQ on poultry 
products from China.  
4.122.  In conclusion, we thank the EU Delegation for their responses to China's questions, which 
we will study carefully. 
JAPAN 
4.123.  Let me start with a few words on the European integration. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.124.  Since the conclusion of the Treaty on  European Union, while expanding further its 
geographical area of integration, the Europe has been deepening its integration in a broad range of areas not only the economy but also other areas such as the judiciary, the diplomacy and the security. The World Trade Report 2014 shows that the EU is the biggest power of trade in the 
world. There is no doubt that the EU is the largest common market and the most integrated 
supranational body composed of democratic sovereign nations. It is simply astonishing what the Europe has achieved. Japan expresses its highest esteem for the wisdom, courage and 
determination of the European people. 
4.125.  During the whole process of the integration, the EU has faced numerous tough challenges 
and overcome them in most of the cases. One of the peculiar challenges of the EU should be the 
internal coordination, not only among the member State Governments and the Commission, but 
also with the other national and EU level authorities, whose competences are not always clearly 
defined, as well as the dialogues with many stakeholders including highly developed civil societies under a unprecedentedly high grade of transparency. On this regard, I would like to take this 
opportunity to express our deep concern on the actual situation of Euro currency, which may affect 
gravely the entire world. Japan considers the st ability of the Euro zone and the EU economy 
indispensable for the steady growth of the world economy. I am sure that, this time again, the 
Europe will find the best solution with its wisdom, courage and determination. 
4.126.  Now, let me turn to the trade policies. 4.127.  At the outset, Japan highly commends the EU's contribution over the years to the 
Multilateral Trading System. As the world largest tr ader, the EU has been playing vital roles in the 
WTO. Now that we are in a critical juncture, the EU's strong leadership and contribution is 
essential to move forward the negotiation proce ss and secure the negotiation function of this 
house. Japan is looking forward to working ve ry closely with the EU and other members. 
4.128.  On the TF Agreement, the acceptance by the EU with its 28 members will be a great leap 
forward for the early entry into force of the Agreement. Japan expects that the EU and its member States will expedite their internal procedures to finalize the process by the MC10. 
4.129.  Moreover, the EU has been actively participating in plurilateral negotiations for further 
trade liberalization, such as the ITA expansion, EGA, TiSA, and the revised GPA. Japan commends the EU's proactive contributions to these plurilateral negotiations in Geneva. 
4.130.  Regarding RTAs, in addition to its own re gional integration, the EU has concluded and has 
been negotiating many bilateral agreements with non-EU members. They are or are to be high 
quality and with cutting-edge provisions, such as TTIP and the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. On the latter, Japan would like to accelerate the negotiation in order to reach an 
agreement in principle by the end of this year, bu t, of course, without compromising the quality of 
the agreement. These ambitious RTAs, fully compatible with the WTO agreements, will establish new standards in trade rules and promote further trade liberalization in the world, which will 
complement and strengthen the Multilateral Trading System. 
4.131.  Despite these commendable trade policies, we still have some concerns with respect to the 
following specific trade measures. 
4.132.  First, on Audio Visual Services. The EU re gisters these services in the MFN exemption list 
and has no commitment on them in the GATS. Howe ver, its preferential measures, such as the 
quota on movie and TV and subsidies to domestic  contents, should be limited to the minimum, 
since these measures have trade-distorting effects. Japan requests the EU to implement these 
measures prudently in order for minimizing its unde sirable effects, and to refrain from introducing 
new regulations on video-on-demand services in the future. 
4.133.  Second, on government procurement, Japan welcomes the EU's effort to improve 
transparency and simplify the procedures through new directive. However, since the data provided 
by member countries are not coherent, there are some cases where foreign enterprises cannot obtain sufficient information on the covered en tities and specific procurements. Moreover, one 
assessment shows that the direct cross-border pr ocurement accounts only for 1.6% of the total 
number of awards and for 3.5% of the total contract value in EU members. Japan expects further WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  efforts by the EU to make its government procurement market more open transparent, simple and 
coherent. 
4.134.  Third, with regard to the business and investment environment, we are informed that 
immigration systems in a certain member country  of the EU are not predictable due to their 
frequent changes. Japan hopes for more predictability and stability in the implementation of those 
immigration systems. 
4.135.  Fourth, regarding protection of personal in formation, the EU is establishing the EU data 
protection regulation aimed at protecting basic human rights. However, these regulations may be 
an obstacle for cross-border free flow of personal data between the EU and non-EU countries. In order to address this concern, Japan requests the EU to promote consultation with relevant stakeholders in a transparent manner, in order to strike the best balance between the free flow 
and the protection of the data. 
4.136.  In conclusion, I would like to express our strong wish to continue our cooperation with the 
European Union. We expect that the EU will continue its efforts to move forward in spite of the 
current very difficult situation. 
UNITED
 STATES 
4.137.  Our economic relationship with the EU is immensely valuable to our economy, and is 
indeed a critical pillar of the global economy. Our economies together account for nearly half of 
global GDP (46.5%) and 30% of global trade. Each day, goods and services worth nearly 
US$3 billion are traded across the Atlantic. At the end of 2013, the value of our direct investment in each other's economies totalled nearly US$4.1 trillion. 
4.138.  These figures describe an international econ omic relationship that is, by any standard, an 
extraordinary success. But we believe this relationship has not yet fulfilled its potential to promote growth in our own economies, and in the econ omies of many other Members that engage in 
significant trade with each of us. That conviction  prompted U.S. and EU leaders two years ago to 
launch negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement, or T-TIP. We will hold the tenth round of T-TIP negotiations next week in Brussels, and T-TIP remains a top 
priority of the United States and the EU. Presid ent Obama and the leaders of the EU's four G7 
member States in June reaffirmed their support for the conclusion of the negotiations on an expeditious timetable. 
4.139.  We believe – and we know our EU friends share this conviction – that the obligations we 
are seeking in T-TIP complement well our efforts in Geneva to work with the EU and other 
Members to strengthen the rules-based multilater al trading system. We deeply appreciate our 
strong working relationship with the EU here at the WTO, particularly as we prepare for this year's 
ministerial conference, and, we hope, a satisfactory conclusion to the DDA. The EU is also an 
important partner in plurilateral negotiations, including the ITA expansion, EGA, and TiSA. In these regards, the contributions of our friend Ambassador Pangratis – his creativity, eternal optimism, 
and excellent diplomacy – have been extraordinarily valuable, and we will miss him very much 
when he takes his leave soon. Fortunately he is supported by a talented team that will remain in place. 
4.140.  As we noted during the EU's last trade policy review, in 2013, much of our current trade 
with the EU proceeds without complication, unaff ected by significant trade barriers. We have 
concerns about EU policies in a number of areas, however, that we believe raise unjustified or unnecessary barriers to our trade and limit its potential in ways that we can change. The EU and 
other Members will be familiar with our concerns from a wide variety of engagements in Geneva 
and in each other's capitals. 
4.141.  We expect that obligations on which we  are seeking agreement in T-TIP will eliminate 
some of the barriers to our trade. In parallel with the negotiations, we are also discussing existing 
measures that each side believes impede trade, and we have appreciated the efforts of the Commission's Trade Directorate to coordinate those discussions and to try to make them as productive as possible.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.142.  Turning to some of our concerns with the EU's trade policies, the United States continues 
to be disappointed by EU barriers to our agricult ural exports. High tari ffs present a significant 
obstacle to the capacity of our producers to succeed in the important EU market. When we 
launched the T-TIP negotiations, we jointly agreed to seek the complete removal of these tariff 
barriers. That remains the U.S. goal in T-TIP.   
4.143.  Another of our most important trade policy priorities is to reduce and eliminate non-tariff 
barriers to our agricultural exports, including by ensuring that sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures are based on science. A number of EU SPS measures are not supported by the scientific 
opinions of EU institutions, and are defended on grounds other than demonstrated risks to human or animal health or the environment. Given th e EU's great importance in the global trading 
system, both as a commercial power and as a supporter of a rules-based system for regulating 
trade, we are concerned about the proliferation of  trade restrictions that are based on factors 
other than the objective criteria offered by scientific assessments of risk, as required under the 20-year-old WTO SPS Agreement. A recent example is the Commission's proposal this past April to 
amend EU legislation on genetically-engineered food and feed products, a proposal that does not 
square with either the EU's existing international obligations or its aspiration for a seamless internal market.   
4.144.  Other non-tariff measures of the EU continue to pose significant barriers to U.S. exports. 
As we regularly note in the WTO TBT Committee, the United States has broad concerns about EU policies and procedures to develop and implement te chnical regulations, standards, and conformity 
assessment procedures, as well as concerns about specific measures that affect U.S. exporters in a 
wide range of sectors, including chemicals and wine. We also continue to be concerned about EU 
policies that result in the creation of third-country barriers to U.S. trade, such as requiring the EU's FTA partners to eliminate "conflicting" standards, or making technical assistance contingent upon 
the elimination of such standards. 
4.145.  The United States also has significant co ncerns about the basic transparency of the EU's 
regulatory process. In particular, foreign actors are often precluded from giving meaningful input 
when the EU engages in rule-making. In this se nse, the EU is out of step with global best 
practices, and we hope to see changes in this area. 
4.146.  In addition, while we are encouraged that the EU has begun taking steps to reform its 
fisheries subsidies policies, we urge the EU to increase transparency and continue its efforts to 
reduce the level of subsidization of its fishing fleet, which may contribute to excess capacity and 
depletion of fish stocks. 
4.147.  The United States has addressed a number of other important issues in our written 
questions to the EU, including with regard to digital commerce, audio-visual services, and 
"geographical indications," notably in the context of disappointing actions related to the Lisbon Agreement. We will look forward to following  up actively on the responses we receive. 
4.148.  In closing, the United States welcomes this  opportunity to review EU trade policies and is 
hopeful that our exchanges will help us identify ways that those policies can help increase the benefits that many of us alre ady derive from our trade with  Member countries of the EU. 
NORWAY 
4.149.  The European Union is by far Norway's most important trading partner, representing 
almost two-thirds of Norway's imports and abou t 80% of our exports in 2014. These figures are 
well known, but they are worth repeating to illustrate the significance of the EU as our main 
trading partner. 
4.150.  The agreement on the European Economic  Area (EEA) is the cornerstone of Norway's 
relationship with the EU. We are all facing tough global competition. In this situation, European 
cooperation, through the EEA Agreement, offers the best opportunities to build competitiveness. 
The EEA Agreement ensures that we share a common set of rules with our most important trading partners. Developments in the EU and the Euro area are very important for Norway.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.151.  We are finally seeing weak signs of econ omic recovery in the Eurozone, but progress is 
fragile and there are still major challenges. High unemployment and high levels of debt are curbing economic activity in several countries. To ensure that a higher level of economic growth is sustained in the long term, it will be vital for Europe to carry out structural reforms to raise 
productivity. Moreover, investments in research, innovation and infrastructure need to be 
increased to enable a transition to a more competitive, innovative and effective economy. Once again, we see that Norway and th e rest of Europe are facing similar challenges; therefore, we are 
closely watching the EU's actions to strengthen competitiveness and stimulate investment through 
the Juncker Plan. 
4.152.  Both Norway and the EU share a strong  and unwavering commitment to the WTO. Norway 
commends the EU's efforts as a staunch supporter of a strong multilateral trading system and for 
its efforts in negotiations in the Doha-round as described in both the Secretariat and EU reports. 
We agree with the EU that negotiations on  the DDA need to reflect today's economic 
circumstances and the changing trading context, an d outcomes are needed in all areas of the DDA 
mandate – agriculture, NAMA, services, rules and development. 
4.153.  In terms of plurilateral negotiations, we al so share the EU's view that it is important to 
ensure that plurilateral initiatives are open to all interested parties, and that they remain as close 
as possible to the WTO.  
4.154.  Norway and the EU both participate active ly in the TISA negotiations. We appreciate the 
EU's collaboration particularly on maritime and energy services, as well as on government procurement in the TISA context. 
4.155.  We appreciate the EU's leading role in  the expansion of the ITA agreement, where we 
share a common goal of a swift conclusion of nego tiations. An expanded ITA will be an important 
stimulant to trade in IT products and ultimately to economic growth.  
4.156.  We also take this opportunity to commend the EU on the longstanding cooperation on 
trade and environment, and in particular on enviro nmental goods. A liberalization of environmental 
goods will potentially contribute to mitigating the climate challenge, and to the multilateral trading 
system, given the aim to multilateralize a future agreement. We share the ambition to finalize the 
negotiations before the UNFCCCs Convention of the Parties in Paris December 2015. 
4.157.  Like the EU, Norway places great emphas is on the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and 
look forward to its quick implementation.   
4.158.  We commend the EU for its significant support to Aid for Trade, thereby contributing to 
economic growth through increased participation in international trade. Aid for Trade is of particular importance to deal with supply-side constraints in the least developed countries. 
4.159.  Let me raise a few specific issues. 
4.160.  First, regarding trade remedies and "EU enforcement policy" as described in the EU report 
that we also brought up as a written question in this review. We look forward to an elaboration by 
the EU on the changes envisaged in the prop osed modernised anti-dumping instrument.  
4.161.  Second, fisheries is another topic of – not surprisingly – particular interest to Norway. 
Except for oil and gas, fish is the single la rgest export item from Norway to the EU.  
4.162.  Norway notes an increased demand for seafood in Europe and the fact that the EU's own 
seafood supplies are no longer sufficient to satisfy the needs of the Union's industry or consumers. 
We encourage the EU – in line with its broader trade policy objectives – to facilitate increased 
trade in seafood. With an average tariff of around 11% for fish and fish prod ucts, tariff escalation, 
broad use of bilateral TRQs, autonomous quotas and end-user requirements, we believe there is 
room for improvements in the EU trade regime for seafood.  
4.163.  My Government recently presented a white paper to the parliament (Storting) setting out 
Norwegian priorities on trade policy. Not surprisingly part of it focuses on improved trading 
conditions into the EU market. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.164.  These are interesting times in the days of trade policy, not only here in the WTO but also 
on the various regional arenas. Norway is not directly involved in the TTIP process, but it could have far-reaching implications for us, and we will  follow the developments closely and with great 
interest. 
4.165.  The EU is an important and active play er on the multilateral stage and an important 
trading partner for most of us. We are awaiting with interest the new Communication on trade policy that the Commission has announced will be coming this autumn. 
4.166.  In closing, we would like to express our confidence that this review will be useful for both 
the EU and its trading partners and look forward to the discussions here today 
PERÚ 4.167.  Es grato hacer una breve mención histórica, destacando que en enero de 1961 el Perú 
estableció relaciones diplomáticas con la entonces denominada Comunidad económica europea. 
Posteriormente, nuestra vinculación con la Unión europea se ha desarrollado en distintas instancias, tales como el Grupo de Río, la Comunidad Andina, y, en los últimos años, en el marco 
de las Cumbres de América Latina y la Unión europea. 
4.168.  Asimismo, el Mecanismo de consultas bilaterales establecido en octubre de 2009 nos ha 
permitido fortalecer aún más el diálogo político. La relación bilateral se ha visto también 
enriquecida con los diversos encuentros de altas autoridades, tales como la visita del señor 
Presidente de la República, Ollanta Humala, en junio de 2012, así como en el marco de las visitas al Perú de la Alta Representante para asuntos exteriores y seguridad y del Comisario de industria y empresa de la Unión europea, realizadas en enero de 2013, así como del Comisario de desarrollo, 
en julio de 2014. 
4.169.  En septiembre de 2013, el señor Presidente de la República, Ollanta Humala, se reunió con 
el Presidente de la Comisión europea, en Nueva York, en el marco de la Asamblea general de las 
Naciones Unidas, y, hace pocos días, el pasado 10 de junio, el señor Presidente de la República se 
reunió con el Presidente del Consejo europeo, señor Donald Tusk, en el marco de la Cumbre de la Comunidad de Estados latinoamericanos y del Caribe–Unión europea (CELAC-UE), realizada en 
Bruselas, ocasión en la que se abordaron diversos temas de interés bilateral que permiten avizorar 
una asociación estratégica con la Unión europea. 
4.170.  Este contexto de fluido diálogo político se complementa con la vigencia desde el 1° de 
marzo de 2013 del Acuerdo comercial multipartes Perú-Colombia-Unión europea que nos ha 
permitido un acceso preferencial para el 99,3% de los productos agrícolas y para el 100% de los 
productos industriales y se ha constituido en una importante herramienta para dinamizar el intercambio económico-comercial. 
4.171.  A la luz de este Acuerdo, el intercambio comercial bilateral superó los 11,200 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. en el 2014 y la Unión europea representó el 14% del intercambio comercial total del Perú en dicho año. Cabe señalar que el 17% en las exportaciones totales del Perú al mundo se 
dirigen a la Unión europea, posicionándose como el tercer mercado de destino del Perú. 
4.172.  En materia de inversiones, la Unión europea se ha convertido en la principal fuente de 
inversión extranjera directa al Perú, alcanzando el 50% del stock total de inversiones recibidas en diversos sectores de la economía, tales como comunicaciones, minería, finanzas y energía. 
4.173.  Todas estas coincidencias de intereses trascienden largamente el aspecto comercial de 
nuestra relación con la Unión europea. Por ello, permítanme destacar como una muestra tangible del excelente nivel de estas relaciones, así como del avanzado nivel de entendimiento mutuo, el 
apoyo que hemos recibido de las diversas instancias del Consejo europeo para la exención del 
visado Schengen a favor del Perú, lo que ha favorecido el avance de este proceso y las perspectivas para la entrada en vigor de estas facilidades en el transcurso del año 2015, una vez 
que se suscriba y ratifique el Acuerdo bilateral. 
4.174.  Refiriéndome al informe de la Secretaría sobre este examen de políticas comerciales, 
quisiera destacar que la Unión europea sigue siendo una economía abierta y transparente, así WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  como el rol fundamental que le corresponde en el sistema multilateral de comercio como una de 
las economías y entidades comerciales más grandes del mundo. En este sentido, saludamos el reiterado compromiso de la Unión europea con la exitosa conclusión de la Ronda de Doha para el desarrollo. 
4.175.  Como señala el informe de la Secretaría, desde el anterior examen de las políticas 
comerciales de la Unión europea, realizado en el 2013, los factores que más han marcado la economía han seguido siendo el bajo y frágil crecimiento y la evolución de la crisis monetaria en la 
zona del euro. Además, el desempleo sigue siendo elevado, la inversión ha estado estancada y la 
inflación se ha convertido en deflación en algunos períodos. 
4.176.  A pesar de los problemas macroeconómicos y fiscales que afectan a algunos Estados 
miembros, la Unión europea tiene, en general, regímenes de comercio e inversión abiertos y 
transparentes y, aunque la integración está aumentando, subsisten importantes diferencias entre 
los 28 Estados miembros en algunos ámbitos de política. En ese contexto, saludamos los esfuerzos que vienen realizando las autoridades de la Unió n europea y de los países miembros para superar 
estos desafíos. 
4.177.  Asimismo, a la vez de reconocer que las reformas de la política agrícola común puede 
haber reducido las distorsiones de la producción en la Unión europea, nos permitimos llamar la 
atención que la financiación total para la agricultura y el desarrollo rural se mantendrán por 
encima de los 50 mil millones de euros anuales, con la expectativa de que éstas reformas contribuyan realmente a favorecer un comercio agrícola en el marco de las normas y compromisos que sustentan el sistema multilateral de comercio. 
4.178.  La vinculación del Perú con la Unión europea está basada en valores y principios 
compartidos como la democracia, el Estado de derecho, loes derechos humanos, así como en la convergencia de posiciones en asuntos políticos  como la estabilidad, paz social, crecimiento 
económico con inclusión social; el cambio climático, entre otros, lo que nos permite avizorar y 
avanzar hacia una mayor cooperación entre ambas partes. 
4.179.  Aprovecho la oportunidad para expresar el agradecimiento por las respuestas que la Unión 
europea nos ha adelantado, las que serán transmitidas a nuestras autoridades competentes para 
su evaluación y seguimiento, y esperamos con atención las respuestas a las preguntas adicionales que hemos enviado. 
ARGENTINA 
4.180.  La UE, como bloque, constituye nuestro tercer socio comercial, representando en el año 
2014 el 14,2% de nuestras exportaciones totales y el 17,3% de nuestras importaciones totales. A su vez, la UE es el principal inversor extranjero en Argentina, con inversiones de 41.086 millones 
de dólares EE.UU. en el año 2013. 
4.181.  En el período 2003-2011, el comercio bila teral con la UE ha crecido  sostenidamente, 
alcanzado en 2011 su punto máximo con un total 25.768 dólares EE.UU., con un superávit para 
nuestro país de 2.539 millones de dólares EE.UU. Sin embargo, a partir del 2012 el comercio total 
ha disminuido considerablemente, alcanzando en 2014 los 21.523 millones de dólares EE.UU.  
4.182.  En 2012, el saldo comercial con la UE pasó a ser deficitario en -336 millones de dólares 
EE.UU., revirtiéndose así diez años de superávit comercial. En 2013, este déficit registró su saldo 
más bajo totalizando -2.863 millones de dólares EE.UU., el cual se originó debido a una 
disminución de 9,7% de nuestras exportaciones a la UE, al tiempo que las importaciones originarias de la UE registraron un aumento de 11,3%.  
4.183.  En 2014, la Argentina exportó a la UE 10.230 millones de dólares EE.UU., un 4,7% menos 
que en 2013, como resultado del virtual cierre del mercado europeo para el biodiesel argentino (13% de las exportaciones argentinas en el año 2012), a causa de la medida anti-dumping 
impuesta por la UE, que la Argentina se encuentra actualmente cuestionando ante la OMC.   
4.184.  Nuestro país reconoce a la UE como un socio potencial con el que podría desarrollar aún 
más sus relaciones comerciales, tomando en cuenta una mayor complementariedad, en productos WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  agropecuarios, pesqueros, industriales e incluso en tecnologías de punta como la nuclear y la 
satelital. Si este potencial no se ha desarrollado plenamente, es atribuible, entre otros motivos, a la continuidad de políticas de proteccionismo y de subvenciones en la UE. 
4.185.  Sin embargo, somos optimistas que en las negociaciones agrícolas de la Ronda de Doha se 
acuerde finalmente la eliminación de las subvenciones a las exportaciones, incluyendo las 
disciplinas sobre apoyo oficial al financiamiento de exportaciones y sobre ayuda alimentaria internacional, tal cual ha sido propuesta en la sección sobre competencia a las exportaciones del 
proyecto de modalidades de 2008. También consideramos con optimismo que la UE reduzca sus 
ayudas internas a la agricultura, tomando como  base el proyecto de modalidades de 2008. 
4.186.  Nos preocupan también las subvenciones a la pesca. Esperamos que la vocación 
multilateral y ambiental de la UE aborde con énfasis esta preocupación para alcanzar un resultado 
que pueda calificarse como un aporte importante de la OMC al comercio y al medio ambiente.  
4.187.  En acceso a mercado de productos agrícolas e industriales, nos preocupa la posición que la 
UE ha sostenido en el pasado, de una asimetría de resultados en el sector industrial y el sector 
agropecuario. Si ha de haber asimetría, debería ser con una mayor liberalización comercial en el 
sector agropecuario, en el que prevalecen restricciones a la importación arancelarias mucho mayores que dificultan la exportación de produc tos de mayor valor agregado, como aranceles muy 
complejos y salvaguardias especiales. 
4.188.  A pesar de todo ello, y en virtud de su vocación multilateral, vemos con optimismo que la 
UE pueda hacer una contribución relevante al sistema comercial multilateral en la Ronda de Doha. 
4.189.  Sin embargo, somos menos optimistas en cuanto a las restricciones a la importación no 
arancelarias en la UE. Los recientes desarrollos en la UE sobre Organismos Genéticamente 
Modificados (OGMs) son un ejemplo de los problema s que nuestros exportadores enfrentan, siendo 
prueba de ello las agendas de los Comités de Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias y de Obstáculos 
Técnicos al Comercio. Es en estas cuestiones en que le pedimos a la UE un mayor esfuerzo porque, 
mientras subsista el riesgo recurrente de restricciones a la importación no arancelarias, toda negociación sobre acceso a mercado se expone a no alcanzar su objetivo. Para ello, la UE debe 
reconciliarse con el principio científico, que es la norma en la OMC. 
4.190.  Hacemos estas consideraciones sobre la política comercial de la UE y su rol en la 
negociación de la Ronda de Doha en la esperanza de que puedan contribuir a una conclusión satisfactoria de la misma de acuerdo a su mandato, teniendo en cuenta el componente de 
desarrollo que dio origen a la misma y cuyo eje central deben ser los temas agrícolas.  
4.191.  Finalizando, y al tiempo de reiterar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva oportunidad de 
intercambiar opiniones y consideraciones sobre las políticas y prácticas comerciales de la UE, no 
querríamos dejar de resaltar nuevamente la impo rtancia de este ejercicio de transparencia en 
todos sus aspectos y desear a las autoridades de la UE, la exitosa conclusión de este duodécimo examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
PHILIPPINES 
4.192.  The Philippines fully associates itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Ambassador 
Mariam Salleh of Malaysia. 
4.193.  The relationship between the European Un ion and the Philippines is a long-standing one, 
which has broadened and deepened remarkably in recent years. Two-way trade is robust and the 
European Union's investment in the Philippines is significant. 
4.194.  The European Union is the largest investor in the Philippines. Many European companies 
established their presence in sectors such as banking, manufacturing and services that have 
resulted to increased investments of 58% or over 25% of total new reported investments in 2014. European companies are estimated to employ around 450,000 Filipinos, which significantly 
contributes to the national economy. The European Union's FDI flows to the Philippines also went 
up by more than 150% in the first half of 2014.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.195.  As the 4th largest trading partner of the Philippines, bilateral trade with the European 
Union has increased by 15% last year.  
4.196.  The remittances received from Filipino mi grants living and working in the European Union 
as well as Filipino seafarers manning European ships make the European Union the 2nd largest 
source of foreign remittances to the Philippines an d the largest employer of Filipino seafarers. 
4.197.  As the world's largest trader and the worl d's largest investor, the Philippines relationship 
with the European Union has deepened further with the partnership cooperation agreement and 
the Generalized Scheme of Preferences.  
4.198.  In 2014, the Philippines and the Europe an Union's private sector established the 
EU-Philippines Business Network as an inclusive discussion platform that aims to collectively contribute to the improvement of trade and invest ment partnerships, in particular, to support the 
development of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs. 
4.199.  MSMEs serve as valuable partners to large enterprises as suppliers and providers of 
support services, as well as an incubator for new ideas and potential large earners of foreign 
exchange. Above all, MSMEs impact the lives of people by providing job opportunities to the 
ever-growing labour force and fostering innovation  and competition. With the MSMEs playing such 
important roles, MSME development should remain a top priority in sustaining recent economic 
gains not only in the Philippines but also across economies and regions.  
4.200.  For its part, the Philippine Government has been implementing key reforms in the past few 
years that aim to foster long-term growth of MSMEs particularly with the integration in the global supply chains. The key is to capitalize on specific growth drivers in view of their potential to 
contribute to employment generation as well  as rapid and sustained growth. These include 
agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM), construction, and logistics. The Philippines indeed welcomes the business-to-business 
cooperation with the European Union SMEs as partnership between Philippine and European firms 
in these priority sectors will certainly provide support for the attainment of more inclusive and sustained growth. 
RUSSIAN
 FEDERATION 
4.201.  The Russian delegation welcomes the 12th Tr ade Policy Review of the European Union. We 
support this valuable and informative dialogue enabling us to exchange views with regards to trade policy of each WTO Member thereby enhancing the transparency in multilateral trading 
system in general and within this particular TPR to examine trade measures applied by the EU. 
4.202.  The European Union is Russia's biggest trading partner with almost a half of Russia's trade 
flows accounting for more than US$377 billion in 2014. The EU is one of the biggest economies in 
the world and the influence of the EU's policies on global market cannot be underestimated.   
4.203.  The Russian Federation has a number of questions and serious concerns with regards to 
the EU trade and investment policies, which were  presented to the EU delegation, and some of 
which I would like to voice today.  
4.204.  The Russian Federation would like to renew its concerns on the non-conformity of the 
measures applied by the EU pursuant to the legal acts adopted from March to July 2014 and consequently renewed as well as legal acts adopted in implementation thereof with the WTO 
Agreements. These measures are designed, in particular, to block assets of certain Russian 
persons, both natural and legal, restrict payments  and transfers, exports of certain goods to the 
Russian Federation. Such actions are not justified by the WTO Agreement and violate basic 
principles contained in the GATT and GATS – MF N treatment, specific commitments of the EU, 
prohibition of QRs, etc. This is not in conformity both with WTO rules and with objectives declared by the EU in presented for this meeting reports. 
4.205.  The Russian Federation reiterates its reques t to the EU to bring its measures in line with 
the EU's obligations under the WTO Agreements and to terminate all unfounded restrictive measures immediately. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.206.  Furthermore, I would like also to highlight another significant issue. The EU has 
implemented quantitative restrictions on imports of low enriched uranium (LEU). The said restrictions were applied pursuant to an undisclos e d  C o r f u  D e c l a r a t i o n .  I n  r e l a t i o n  t o  L E U ,  o n l y  
about 20% of the EU market is allocated for import from the third countries. As it was mentioned 
in page 73 of the EU's Regulation No. 139/2004 of 6 October 2004, the Corfu Declaration 
(paragraphs 121-140) "restricts the ability of Europe an utilities to purchase material from Russia. 
The purpose of that Declaration is to ensure that Russian imports of LEU into the Community 
should not result in an appreciable reduction in the market shares of the European producers 
which could affect their viability as suppliers." The measure is implemented through contract approval system administered by the Euratom within the co-signature obligation.  
4.207.  We draw the attention of the EU that the measure above has never been notified to the 
WTO and is being implemented in non-transparent manner. The restrictions appear to have a 
trade-distortive impact on Russian LEU suppliers an d we ask the EU side to explain the nature of 
this measure and the rationale behind it. We also request the EU to bring the said measure with its 
WTO obligations.  
4.208.  Secondly, we are looking forward to the EU's answers to our advanced written questions 
concerning the procedure of application of antidu mping measures adopted by the EU in 2009 with 
the alleged purpose of protection against dumped imports from third countries. Since its last 
review, the EU did not provide for detailed descript ion of certain stages of this procedure, in 
particular, normal value calculation. The Russian Federation has posed repeatedly several questions concerning this issue earlier, in particular with regard to the application of the so-called 
"cost adjustment methodology" but we have to st ate that the EU side until now has never provided 
a comprehensive answer to this long-lasting issue. The EU practice of "cost adjustment methodology" has substantive trade distortive effect and is not justified under the provisions of the 
Antidumping Agreement" requiring that the construction of normal value shall be made on the 
basis of "the cost of production in the country of origin" and Article 2.2.1.1 of the Antidumping 
Agreement providing that "costs shall normally be calculated on the basis of records kept by the 
exporter or producer under investigation". We ask the EU side to reconsider its antidumping 
practice and bring its measures into compliance with its WTO obligations.  
4.209.  The Russian Federation in written questions submitted earlier asked the EU side for a 
number of clarifications with respect to the EU's safeguards implementation procedures and its 
respective legislation (EU Council Regulation No. 625/2009 of 7 July 2009 "On common rules for 
imports from certain third countries"). Particular ly, we asked the EU side to elaborate on the 
nature of the measures which may be imposed under the Regulation and describe the forms in 
which they may be applied. In the Appendix 1 of the Regulation there is a list of countries, which 
the measures under this Regulation may be applied against. Armenia, Russia and Vietnam are among them. Please clarify why does this list contain only these WTO Members? What kind of 
criteria did the EU use to choose these countries? Wh at are practical implications of being on this 
list for a WTO Member? 
4.210.  One of the long-lasting concerns of the Russian Federation is related to the "Third energy 
package". It was indicated in paragraph 4.7 of the Secretariat report that "pipelines services were 
comprehensively covered in the previous Review an d are not included in this Section". However, 
the previous report by the Secretariat (of 28 May 2013) did not substantially reflect issues related to the "Third energy package". Thus, the Russi an Federation submitted a number of questions 
related to the said measure, which is not covered by the report of the Secretariat. We are looking 
forward to the EU's answers on this issue.  
4.211.  Another area of the EU's policy that raises certain concerns is the EU industrial support 
measures. We have submitted a number of specific questions regarding Directive 2009/28/EC and 
would be grateful for the EU's delegation comple te and informative answers. In our understanding, 
the general objectives of this Directive are: (a) to increase the share of energy from renewable 
sources in the EU gross final consumption; and (b) to reduce dependence of the EU on energy 
import (i.e. to reduce imports of traditional energy goods). According to Article 3(1) of the 
Directive, the EU member States shall ensure that  the shares of energy from renewable sources in 
their gross final consumption of energy achieve thei r respective national targets. For this purpose, 
different support schemes are allowed. Moreover, only a minor number of subsidies granted on 
central and regional levels were notified. For example, it seems that the EU and its member States failed to submit notifications of some subsidie s granted by Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  Great Britain, Denmark, Luxemburg, Italy, Ireland, Slovenia, France, Finland, Portugal, the 
Netherlands and other member States. We highlight  that the non-notification of the renewable 
energy support by the EU is not consistent with its transparency obligations under Article 25 of the Agreement on subsidies and countervailing measur es and not justified by the WTO Agreement. 
The Russian Federation doubts that these measures are fully consistent with the EU and its 
member States obligations under Articles III and XI of the GATT and Articl e 3.1 of the Agreement 
on subsidies and countervailing measures. 
COSTA
 RICA 
4.212.  Desde su inicio, uno de los pilares de este gran proyecto que es la Unión europea, ha sido 
la búsqueda de la unidad económica, con una sola política comercial y una legislación común en la mayoría de los temas relacionados con el comercio y la inversión. Seguimos con sumo interés el 
desarrollo de la economía europea, en particular la de la zona euro y esperamos una pronta 
recuperación de todos sus Estados, en particular aquellos que se han visto más afectados por la crisis monetaria y de la deuda. Observamos que la UE se ha recuperado de la crisis financiera 
mundial de forma lenta y frágil, pero se esperan mejores indicadores en este y los próximos años. 
Por ello confiamos que la incertidumbre que se ha generado en algunos de ellos, en particular en los últimos días, encuentre una pronta solución, y que la salida de esta crisis sea satisfactoria para 
todos sus integrantes.  
4.213.  Costa Rica reconoce la importancia que la UE asigna a la OMC y al sistema multilateral de 
comercio. Efectivamente, el comercio internacional ha jugado un papel fundamental en la UE como principal fuente de crecimiento de su economía y ha sido un elemento crítico en momentos de 
crisis. Tal y como señala el informe de la Secretaría, las exportaciones amortiguaron la 
desaceleración económica e impulsaron en gran  medida el crecimiento durante el período 
2010-2013. Agradecemos el trabajo y el liderazgo mostrado por la UE en temas de interés de esta 
organización como el examen del Entendimiento de Solución de Diferencias, sus esfuerzos para 
alcanzar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio, así como su compromiso con otras iniciativas como la ampliación del ITA, y su interés en buscar avances en otras esferas como el Acuerdo 
sobre Bienes Ambientales o TISA y de que estos avances contribuyan también con el sistema 
multilateral de comercio. También debe resaltarse  el compromiso que durante años ha mantenido 
la Unión Europea y sus Estados Miembros con el programa de Ayuda para el Comercio. 
4.214.  Nos complace la entrada en vigor del pilar comercial del Acuerdo de Asociación entre la 
Unión Europea y Centroamérica, en octubre de 2013. Con esto culminó el anhelo de muchos años 
de estrechar los lazos entre ambas regiones. 
4.215.  La Unión europea es nuestro tercer socio comercial, después de Estados Unidos y del 
Mercado Común Centroamericano; en el 2014, fue el destino del 17,4% de nuestras exportaciones 
y representó el 8% de nuestras importaciones. Nuestro comercio total con la Unión europea ha seguido creciendo de manera sostenida a un ritmo promedio de 6% anual en los últimos 10 años, 
pasando de 1,955 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el 2004 a 3,383 mill ones de dólares EE.UU. en el 
2014.  
4.216.  Quisiéramos reconocer la apertura y la transparencia de su régimen de comercio e 
inversión. Destacamos las iniciativas para facilitar el comercio, como la relativa a la aduana 
electrónica, que incluye el sistema automático de importación y exportación y una ventanilla única, 
así como la extensión del sistema de operadores económicos autorizados. Por otro lado, seguimos con interés el proceso de armonización de las normas y prescripciones técnicas que lleva adelante 
la UE así como el impacto comercial de sus reglamentos técnicos.   
4.217.  También hemos seguido con mucha atención la reforma de su Política Agrícola Común, que 
representa cierto progreso en la dirección de fomentar el establecimiento de un sistema de 
comercio agropecuario equitativo y orientado al mercado. Sin embargo, observamos que el sector 
agrícola europeo sigue altamente protegido y la financiación total para la agricultura y el desarrollo rural se mantendrá por encima de los 50 mil millones de euros anuales, cuando además, todavía queda espacio para reducir y eliminar las distorsiones que lo afectan.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.218.  De igual forma, vemos con mucho interés los desarrollos de las negociaciones del Tratado 
Transatlántico entre la UE y de los Estados Unidos y nos parece esta ocasión propicia para obtener más información sobre los avances en este campo. 
4.219.  Costa Rica presentó varias preguntas a la UE relacionadas con los servicios y la propiedad 
intelectual. Mi delegación espera con interés las respuestas a estas preguntas. 
CHILE 4.220.  Hemos presentado 24 preguntas a la UE, en materias como indicaciones geográficas, 
antidumping, medidas compensatorias, política de competencia y cambio climático, entre otras, 
cuyas respuestas serán analizadas por nuestros equipos. 
4.221.  Los vínculos históricos estructurados entre Chile y Europa, en términos políticos, 
culturales, comerciales, educacionales, el derecho, la economía, provienen desde los inicios de 
nuestra vida republicana y nuestra conformación como un estado de derecho, en la que Europa 
tuvo una marcada influencia. 
4.222.  Hundimos nuestras raíces doctrinarias e ideológicas en las mismas fuentes, y compartimos 
una misma visión de base sobre el Estado, la sociedad, los derechos humanos, la democracia, la 
integración y la cooperación internacional. Coincidimos en una forma de concebir la sociedad como una comunidad de comunidades de personas libres, basada en el bien común y el comunitarismo. 
4.223.  La entonces Comunidad económica europea, al iniciar la formalización de vínculos externos 
con América latina, instaló en Santiago en 1967 su primera oficina de representación, de carácter inicialmente informativo, pero expresiva de una voluntad de estrechar relaciones como unidad. Al escoger a Chile, daba cuenta claramente de esta especial vinculación.  
4.224.  Dichos vínculos han permanecido en el tiempo, se acrecentaron con el gravitante apoyo de 
la entonces Comunidad europea al proceso de nuestra recuperación democrática que culminó en 1990, y a la transición posterior para consolidar nuevamente las libertades cívicas e iniciar la 
recuperación económica de nuestro país.  
4.225.  Existe en Chile un profundo reconocimiento a lo que la Unión europea ha significado para 
nosotros en este proceso, más allá de una relación comercial, que por cierto también valoramos y 
buscamos incrementar. 
4.226.  La relación formal se basa hoy, principalmente, en el Acuerdo de asociación, en vigor 
desde febrero de 2003, que abrió las puertas a Chile a la primera potencia comercial del mundo, primer importador de alimentos a escala global, primer inversionista en América Latina y Chile, y 
también primer contribuyente en cooperación al desarrollo tanto en el mundo como en América 
Latina y Chile.  
4.227.  Con anterioridad, en 2002, firmamos co n la UE un Acuerdo en ciencia y tecnología, 
recientemente renovado, vinculado con los Programas Marco de CyT de la UE y ahora con 
Horizonte 2020, Ersmus Plus y otros, que ha sido muy beneficioso para el país, y ha permitido que 
cientos de profesionales y académicos chilenos se incorporen a proyectos de investigación con sus 
contrapartes europeas, así como fortalecer la creación de capacidades y buenas prácticas 
institucionales. 
4.228.  No puedo dejar de mencionar, en particular, la estrecha cooperación existente en materia 
astronómica, a través de la European Space Organization, con la instalación en Chile de los más 
grandes observatorios del mundo, en los que comparten tareas científicos de ambas partes. 
4.229.  El Acuerdo de asociación es comprensivo, va más allá de un TLC, incorpora una cláusula 
democrática, y genera una sociedad basada en la coincidencia en valores comunes. Comprende 
tres pilares: político, comercial (que incluye el comercio de bienes, de servicios, inversiones, 
propiedad intelectual, MSF, OTC, defensa comercial, contrataciones públicas y movimientos de capital, y establece un mecanismo de solución de controversias, entre otras); más un ámbito muy 
importante, la cooperación.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.230.  Para ambas partes, la aplicación del Acuerdo es muy satisfactoria. El comercio entre las 
dos economías creció, a pesar de la crisis europea, en promedio, casi el 13% al año desde la entrada en vigor del Acuerdo de asociación firmado en 2002. Las exportaciones chilenas se han más que duplicado, y las exportaciones europeas a Chile han crecido en alrededor del 90%. 
4.231.  No obstante, debido a la crisis, nuestras exportaciones disminuyeron desde 2009, si bien 
mantenemos una balanza superavitaria. Esperamos que en un corto plazo, este proceso se revitalice 
4.232.  Vemos signos de recuperación en la UE, que esperamos se vayan consolidando, a pesar de 
hechos recientes que introducen nuevos factores de incertidumbre en el proceso de integración. Confiamos en que la UE, como en anteriores situaciones, podrá tomar las decisiones apropiadas en conformidad con sus principios fundacionales y capacidad política.  
4.233.  El Acuerdo de Asociación ha sido un elemento clave en el desarrollo de las inversiones. La 
Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED) de la UE representa más del 32% del monto total invertido en Chile desde 1974, casi 37 mil millones de dólare s EE.UU. El sector electricidad, gas y agua 
concentró el 33% de la inversión. Mientras el 16% de los capitales provenientes de la UE fueron 
destinados al sector minería. Los sectores de comunicaciones y servicios financieros, representaron el 27% del total invertido por la UE en Chile. 
4.234.  De otro lado, las inversiones chilenas en la Unión europea representan cerca del 3% del 
total invertido por Chile en el mundo, con cerca de 900 millo nes de dólares EE.UU. La industria es 
el principal receptor de inversiones chilenas directas, con un 68% de participación y los servicios con un 32%. 
4.235.  Asimismo, el intercambio académico es fluido y creciente. En el programa de becas de 
Chile para el exterior, el 70% de los seleccionados escogió una universidad de la Unión europea. Y debo señalar que en Santiago, en 2013, a instancias  de las universidades chilenas, se realizó por 
primera vez una "Cumbre Académica UE-ALC" con más de 230 universidades de ambas regiones, 
en el marco de la cumbre oficial de jefes de estado, con el propósito de iniciar el camino hacia un Espacio común de educación superior, ciencia y tecn ología. Recientemente, en Bruselas, se realizó 
la segunda reunión con este objetivo. 
4.236.  Finalmente, me complace indicar que hace poco tiempo, hemos acordado iniciar los 
trabajos para la modernización del Acuerdo de asociación, para actualizar sus contenidos y disciplinas, y al mismo tiempo darle una proyección regional a nuestra cooperación. 
4.237.  Queremos destacar que en la Sesión nº 75 del Comité de acuerdos comerciales de esta 
casa, elaboramos conjuntamente con la Unión europea un informe, previsto en el párrafo 15 del Mecanismo de transparencia sobre la aplicación para los Acuerdos comerciales regionales. Dicho 
informe se realizó por primera vez con un formato que servirá para futuros ejercicios. 
4.238.  Sobre la base de los informes, alentamos a la UE a continuar avanzando en su senda de 
comercio abierto y transparente, y en ese sentido, quisiéramos ver en adelante una menor 
utilización de medidas antidumping, y que persista  en el proceso de reformas en agricultura, 
avanzando hacia mercados menos distorsivos.  
4.239.  La UE tiene una gran responsabilidad en las negociaciones para concluir la Ronda de Doha. 
Confiamos en que, con visión prospectiva, continuará contribuyendo a este proceso, para entrar en 
Nairobi en una nueva y más profunda etapa en el multilateralismo comercial. 
THAILAND 4.240.  Thailand fully associates herself with  the ASEAN Statement previously delivered by 
Malaysia.  
4.241.  The European Union is currently Thailand's second largest investor and fourth largest 
trading partner, export destination, and import source. In 2014, our bilateral trade value stood at 
US$42.80 billion, slightly decreasing from 2013 for 3.62%. The decreased trade value is majorly WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  affected by the fact that Thailand has been graduated from the EU's Generalized System of 
Preferences scheme as the country is defined as an upper-middle income country since 2014.  
4.242.  In the past several years, the European Union and Thailand have developed a solid 
bilateral trade relationship. Senior officers of  the two sides have severally met to discuss 
significant issues of mutual concerns. One nota ble event was the conclusion on the Framework 
Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) between Thailand and the European Union in 
2013. Since then, the FTA negotiation between th e two countries, aiming at liberalizing and 
facilitating bilateral trades, was launched, cove ring several issues including tariffs, non-tariff 
barriers and other trade-related issues such as services, investment, government procurement, intellectual property, competition and regulatory issues, and sustainable development. In addition, 
businesses and enterprises of the European Unio n and Thailand have firmly established good 
economic and trade relationship through the Thailand-EU Business Council and several other 
business councils between EU countries and Thailand. 
4.243.  The EU's TPR report indicates that the EU's recovery from the global financial crisis has 
been slow and fragile, but the EU's economy remains open and plays a critical role in the trading 
s y s t e m .  E U ' s  e f f o r t  t o  d e a l  w i t h  e c o n o m i c  s t u m bling blocks, including structural and legislative 
reforms, has been recognized by all Members including Thailand. The said tireless and constructive 
effort of the EU would positively contribute to the healthy economy and the international trading 
community.  
4.244.  Regarding the multilateral trading system, Thailand is appreciated in the European Union's 
leadership and active participation in the WTO. In this regard, we look forward to cooperating with 
the European Union and other Members in order to achieve acceptable and meaningful outcomes 
by December for the MC 10.  
4.245.  In this review, Thailand submitted several questions to the European Union, covering, 
among others, developments in the internal market , investment policy, unilateral preferences and 
preferential rules of origin, government procurem ent, intellectual property, European Agriculture 
Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and direct payment, an d competition policy and regulatory issues 
particularly on "leniency policy". We look forward to receiving the European Union's response in 
due course.   
4.246.  In conclusion, Thailand would like to express our appreciation to the European Union 
delegation from Brussels for the today presentation . We are thankful for the close cooperation with 
the European Union in every level, including between our Geneva-based delegations led by 
Ambassador Pangratis.  
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
4.247.  Needless to say, the EU has and will continue to play a pivotal role in the global economy. 
Indeed, the EU is one of the principal engines of global economic growth, as it accounted for close to 17% of the world's trade in goods and services in 2014. 
4.248.  In this context, I am pleased to note th at there are signs of a pickup and some positive 
momentum in the euro area, reflecting lower oil prices and supportive financial conditions. The main macroeconomic indicators of most member States have improved. According to the World Economy Outlook, the EU's growth is expected to increase to 1.5% in 2015 from 0.9% in 2014. 
However, risks of prolonged low growth and low inflation still remain.  
4.249.  Over the years, the EU and Korea have developed stable and healthy economic relations. 
Last year, Korea was the eighth largest trading pa rtner for the EU while the EU remained Korea's 
third largest trading partner with a bilateral trade volume reaching US$114 billion. What is 
encouraging is that the EU and Korea have very much set their sights on a forward-looking partnership as the EU remains Korea's larges t source of foreign direct investment.  
4.250.  In particular, we would like to note that Korea and the EU celebrated the 4th anniversary 
of the Korea-EU FTA on 1 July this year. We believe that the FTA has played an important role in contributing to a more balanced expansion of trade and investment as well as a strengthening of the existing ties. We hope that Korea and the EU  will review the legal framework on investment WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  protection under the Korea-EU FTA and begin negotiations to introduce an Investment Chapter to 
the FTA in order to provide legal certainty for foreign investors in the EU. 
4.251.  Let me turn to the economic trade policies of the EU for which I have three brief 
comments. 
4.252.  First, structural reforms. Korea welcomes the number of structural reforms which have 
taken place among the EU member States to enhance competitiveness in the area of fiscal consolidation, the labour market, education, social welfare and intellectual property. In particular, 
given that intellectual property is a main driver of growth to the EU economy, it is noticeable that 
with the Framework Program for Research and Innovation for 2014-2020, the EU continued to modernize and improve the existing IPR regime to boost creativity and innovation.  
4.253.  Second, the trade related practices. Although  the EU is a highly integrated economic unit, 
in many areas of the EU's competence, it is the member State which is responsible for 
implementing the law. As pointed out in the Secret ariat report, there remain significant differences 
among member States in some areas including direct taxation, state enterprises, fiscal policy and 
government procurement. Thus, it is our hope that the EU could pay closer attention to the 
trade-related practices at the level of Member States in order to ensure clarity and the efficient implementation of the EU's trade policies. 
4.254.  Third, trade remedy measures. Korea wishes to note that the number of antidumping 
investigations initiated by the EU during the review period declined to half the number of the previous two years. It is encouraging signs that there has been no retreat to protectionism is, in itself, a positive sign, particularly given that the EU is the world's largest economy. However, in 
2015, there are three anti-dumping measures in force and one investigation initiated on Korean 
products, primarily steel products. Taking this opportunity, Korea requests the EU to fully take into account comments and views provided and to conduct the ongoing investigation in a fair and 
objective manner in accordance with the relevant WTO disciplines. 
4.255.  We are confident that the EU, as a key player in the WTO, will continue to play an 
important role in helping not only strengthen the WTO multilateral trading system as a whole, but 
also advance the DDA negotiations. In particular , we commend the EU's efforts to strengthen 
exploratory work across the various areas in order to seek convergence for a post-Bali Work Programme and for the eventual completion of the DDA negotiations. I would like to conclude by expressing our sincere appreciation to the EU dele gation for its hard work and wish the EU every 
success in its TPR.  
KINGDOM
 OF SAUDI  ARABIA 
4.256.  Despite the impact of the monetary crisis  in the euro area and the low growth of the 
European Union economy over the period of review, the EU remains an open and transparent 
economy and, as one of the biggest economies and trading entities in the world. While recovery 
will be long and painful for some individual EU countries due to their macroeconomic and fiscal 
problems, the EU made such a clear point up front about the importance of trade for the EU's 
economic recovery.  
4.257.  It is worth emphasizing that, in order to  overcome these economic challenges, the EU has 
been implementing a range of policies and measures to promote economic growth and 
employment and significantly decrease its public deficit. 
4.258.  The EU is in a prime position when it comes to global trade. The openness of its trade 
regime has made of the EU one of the biggest pl ayer on the global trading scene and remains a 
good region to do business with. The EU is to be commended for the economic and financial 
reforms undertaken including Investment Plan for Europe for the period 2015-17 for strategic investments, improvements in SPS measures and Intellectual property legislation, and Common 
Agricultural Policy reform. 
4.259.  The EU is to be recognized for its legislative reform in the financial sector, particularly 
prudential measures. We have submitted some questions to EU regarding Bank Recovery and 
Resolution Directive and will be happy to receive EU's replies to these questions. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.260.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also commends EU for its recognition of the benefits of trade 
facilitation and welcomes its facilitation meas ures and for its support for aid for trade.  
4.261.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the European Union enjoy friendly and substantive 
economic and trading relationship. During the period of review, the European Union was the third 
largest importing partner to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with two-way merchandise trade 
reaching close to €63 billion in 2014. There is si gnificant potential for economic ties to grow 
between the two trading partners especially in finance and investment, insurance, communication, 
consulting, oil and gas, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, building materials, 
electricity, iron and aluminium metals. 
4.262.  The importance of trade to the EU is reflected in its commitment to the WTO and the 
multilateral trading system. It has played a central role in the establishment of the system and is a 
strong supporter of its reinforcement through the successful conclusion of the Doha Development 
Agenda.   
INDIA 
4.263.  As the world's largest trade bloc with merchandise trade in goods and services of over 
€4.6 trillion, the European Union remains a key economic driver of the global economy. It is therefore natural that trade and economic developments in the EU, whether its participation in 
bilateral or plurilateral trade initiatives such as T-TIP, changes in its agricultural policies, the 
functioning of its internal markets or regulatory interventions, will impact on the global economy 
and all its trading partners.  
4.264.  It is evident that the EU economic recovery  from the global financial crisis has been slow 
and fragile. Compared to the contraction of 0.5% in 2013, the EU GDP is estimated to grow by 
1.3% in 2014. A positive economic outlook for th e future, owing to recent developments such as 
accommodative monetary policy by the ECB, fall in oil prices, is a source of comfort. It is our hope 
that the EU will be able to manage the latest monetary crisis and stay the course of sustained 
recovery. 
4.265.  As regards EU trade policy, we would like to underline some systemic concerns. The 
applied tariff rate profile of the EU remains quite diverse and complex. As noted in the Secretariat 
report, while the simple average rate is about 6.4% , there are around 11% of tariff lines with non-
ad valorem  d u t i e s  m o s t l y  i n  a g r i c u l t u r e ,  T R Q s  o n  a b o u t  5 %  o f  t a r i f f  l i n e s ,  t a r i f f  e s c a l a t i o n  a n d  
significant tariff peaks in areas such as clothing and agriculture where developing Members like 
India have export interest.  
4.266.  The agriculture sector in the EU, despite changes in its Common Agricultural Policy, 
remains highly protected. For example, even th ough the Amber Box support has come down from 
about €39.39 billion in 2001 to €6.85 billion in 2012, the Green Box support has increased from 
€20.66 billion to €70.97 billion during the same period. Besides Box shifting, these changes do not appear to have resulted in any significant change in the agriculture profile of the EU. It is evident 
that much needs to be done to reduce the level of distortions affecting agriculture trade.   
4.267.  On the bilateral front, trade and investments constitute a central pillar of our expanding 
and multi-faceted bilateral ties. The EU is our largest trading partner and source of FDI. Our bilateral trade volume has crossed the US$100 billi on mark in 2011-12, though it has declined 
marginally in the last three years. We are negotiating a Broad Based Trade and Investment 
Agreement, and will continue to strive for deeper trade and economic engagement with the EU, creating jobs, growth and prosperity for our two peoples. 
4.268.  We had posed some advance written questions to the EU delegation and look forward to 
the responses, which would be reviewed by my authorities. However, let me highlight some specific concerns, which particularly affect India's exports to the E.U.  
 Indian exports of items such as fruits and vegetables continue to face outright ban or other 
significant market entry barriers owing to stringent SPS requirements and fixing of MRLs at the level of detection rather than based on scientific studies or risk assessment for certain WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  chemicals. We would request the EU to review these measures and reduce regulatory 
barriers to trade, consistent with international standards and guidelines.  
 We understand that the EU is currently developing new criteria for the identification and 
regulation of "endocrine disruptors". The hazard  based cut off criteria for defining "endocrine 
disruptors" as outlined in the EU regulation  No. 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant 
protection products on the market, would adversely impact trade of wide-range of agricultural products. We would urge the EU that the criteria to classify a substance as 
"endocrine disruptors" be devised in a transparent manner and risk assessment of each 
substance be undertaken before categorizing them as endocrine disruptors and for setting the MRLs.  
 The EU Data Protection Directives and procedures established under it restrict international 
trade in services. Restrictions on transfer of data flows from EU to third countries, not 
deemed adequate as per EU assessment, signific antly limits the ability of EU businesses to 
leverage specialized services offered by outsourcing countries. Such data protection norms 
come in the way of promoting bilateral services trade. We would urge the EU to review its 
Data Protection Regime and existing procedures to facilitate services trade and to removes barriers for businesses, especially SMEs. 
 In respect of Intellectual Property, we would like  to seek we would like to seek clarification 
from the EU whether the revision of the Co mmunity Trademark Regulation and Trade Mark 
Directive and their implementation by EU custom authorities on finalization will hamper transit of generic medicines through EU ports, particularly, in case 'similarity' or 
'identicalness' of trademark is invoked by an European trademark holder.  
4.269.  Before I conclude, I would like to underscore the central role and leadership of the EU at 
the WTO and in the ongoing DDA negotiations. Let me also express my sincere appreciation for the 
positive contribution made by Ambassador Pangratis. As Ambassador Pangratis concludes his 
successful innings in Geneva, we wish him every success in his future endeavours. We share the EU's commitment to the multilateral trading syst em and the Doha Development Agenda. We look 
forward to working with the EU delegation in  ensuring positive and development oriented 
outcomes in the ongoing negotiations.   
TURKEY 4.270.  Today's TPR meeting of the EU is being held in the aftermath of a critical referendum in 
Greece regarding its financial aid programme. I beli eve that the result of this referendum would 
have negative impact not only for the Greek economy, but also for the whole EU economic system especially if an agreement could not be found qu ickly or if EU leaders preserve their stance 
declared before the referendum vis à vis the results of the referendum. 
4.271.  Although most of its members were out of the recession in 2014, the EU could not yet 
recover from the crisis in proper terms. The grow th is weak and fragile, the unemployment is still 
above the pre-crisis level and the integrity of the euro as a single currency is at stake. 
4.272.  On the other hand, as stated in the Secretariat report, some structural reforms have been 
accomplished during the review period to sanitize the public finances and to improve the competitiveness. Those reforms include fiscal consolidation, labour market, education and social 
welfare reforms. However, in our views, those reforms are generally too late and too small for 
being a remedy to the situation. 
4.273.  While the austerity measures in the EU countries are largely debated in public opinion on 
these days, as indicated also in the Secretariat re port, public expenditure to GDP ratio in the EU 
has only declined in small pace, to be reduced to 48.4% in 2014 from 49.9% in 2010. I firmly believe that more drastic decreases in public ex penditure would be needed for sanitization of 
public finances. 
4.274.  Moreover, in order to establish a healthy competition environment, more convergence 
would be needed in terms of taxation systems among the euro area. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.275.  On the labour market side, many diverg ences persist among the EU members in terms of 
minimum wages, working hours and social schemes. These divergences impede the labour cost convergence among the members and create obstacle  to benefit from the competitiveness gains of 
a big single market. Exactly one year ago, Germany adopted its first minimum wage rate in its 
history and the economic results of this step are still uneven. 
4.276.  The weak economic performance has also an important impact on the trade performance 
of the EU. The weak economic activities are also seen on the extra-EU imports which have not yet 
recovered to 2010 level in real terms. 
4.277.  On the other hand, the extra-EU exports have fully recovered to tis pre-crisis level and 
they have even increased 25.5% since 2010. Howeve r, the share of the EU in the world trade has 
slightly declined since 2010, which also shows the EU's weak performance vis-à-vis tis 
competitors. 
4.278.  The EU agriculture sector benefits from considerable amounts of domestic supports of 
different kinds. Although the Commission argues th at the EU reduced the share of the "potentially 
most distortive supports" from 92% to 26% in its total supports from 1988 to 2012, the total 
supports of the EU stands at a very high level. 
4.279.  The Green Box supports of the EU amounts to €71 billion as of 2012. While the Green Box 
supports provided by the EU are of the nature of decoupled income support, structural adjustment 
and regional development funds, it is obvious that  they provide a sort of compensation for a part 
of the producers' costs, allowing them to inve st in better techniques and inputs. This has an 
important productivity effect, playing on trade competitiveness. 
4.280.  As indicated in the Secretariat report, important amounts of supports are foreseen to be 
provided by France, Germany, Italy and Spain, among others, until 2020, und er the Pillar II of the 
Common Agriculture Policy, which aims rural development. It is worth to note that those rural 
development supports are mostly used by the members with the highest rural developments level. 
4.281.  As a negotiating country to join the EU, Turkey has a Customs Union covering industrial 
goods and processed agricultural products with the EU since 1996. The Customs Union, beyond the 
trade aspect, covers also the harmonization of Turkey's policies and legislation with that of the EU 
on trade policy, customs legislation, intellectual property and competition policies. Therefore, Turkey has a big level of harmonization with the EU in all these areas. 
4.282.  Turkey and the EU are natural and historical trading partners, with an important degree of 
dependence of Turkey's trade vis-à-vis the EU, and I may say that the Customs Union is rather a 
success story in this process, allowing more th an US$155 billion bilateral trade volume in 2014. 
4.283.  Due to our huge amount of bilateral trade with the EU, every development in the EU 
economy and trade policy has a direct impact on Turkey's trade performance and therefore we are 
following closely the TTIP negotiations. 
4.284.  Very recently, an initiative to modernize and upgrade the Customs Union has been 
launched between Turkey and the EU, to make the Customs Union more efficient to meet today's 
needs and to be expanded in new areas such as services and investment among others. We hope to complete this process successfully as soon as possible, which, we believe, would not only make our bilateral trade and economic relations more resilient to external shocks, but also provide a new 
impetus to the accession negotiations of Turkey to the EU. 
REPÚBLICA
 DOMINICANA   
4.285.  La Unión europea es el segundo socio comercial para la República Dominicana, relación 
que se ha profundizado aún más a través del Acue rdo de asociación económico con los países del 
CARIFORO, del que la República Dominicana forma parte. En el 2013, las importaciones dominicanas desde la Unión europea ascendieron a 1.1 mil millones de euros y las exportaciones 
desde la República Dominicana a la Unión europea incluyen: productos agrícolas (cacao, banano, 
azúcar), instrumentos y aparatos medico quirúrgicos y calzados. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.286.  En este su duodécimo examen de su política comercial, deseamos reconocer a la Unión 
europea ya que el informe de la Secretaría expr esa que es una economía abierta y transparente. 
La UE constituye el mayor bloque comercial del mundo con 28 Estados miembros, que a pesar de la gran diversidad de los mismos en cuanto economía, sistema jurídico e instituciones públicas, 
forman una unidad económica muy integrada, con una sola política comercial y una legislación 
común en la mayoría de las esferas relacionadas con el comercio, funcionando como un mercado único. 
4.287.  Nos preocupa, sin embargo, que desde el anterior examen de las políticas comerciales de 
la UE, la economía ha seguido registrando un crecimiento muy bajo, con un aumento del PIB nulo en 2013 y del 1,3% en 2014. Aunque los principales indicadores macroeconómicos de la mayoría de los Estados miembros han mejorado, el desemple o sigue siendo elevado, la inversión ha estado 
estancada y la inflación se ha convertido en deflación en algunos períodos. Además, permanecen 
importantes diferencias entre los 28 Estados miembros en algunas esferas de política, entre ellas la tributación directa, las empresas estatales, la política fiscal y la contratación pública, todas las 
cuales afectan al comercio y la inversión. 
4.288.  Son muy importantes las medidas tomadas por el Banco centro europeo, a principios del 
presente año, para aplicar un programa de compra de activos, que se ha ampliado para incluir 
deuda emitida por administraciones centrales de la zona del euro, agencias e instituciones 
europeas. Las compras mensuales de activos ascenderán a un total de 60.000 millones de euros, y la intención es que el programa continúe al meno s hasta septiembre de 2016, con esto se espera 
poder re-dinamizar las economías de la zona euro. Además, la Comisión ha iniciado un Plan de 
inversiones para Europa que incluye un Fondo europeo para inversiones estratégicas en apoyo de 
la economía real. El Plan tiene por objeto mov ilizar 315.000 millones de euros adicionales en el 
período 2015-2017 para inversiones estratégicas, tales como en infraestructura. 
4.289.  También es de interés las negociaciones comerciales que la UE está llevando a cabo con 
algunos interlocutores comerciales, en particular los Estados unidos y el Japón, y las que ha concluido con Canadá. 
4.290.  Por otro lado, en cuanto a facilitación de comercio, es de destacar que la UE ha puesto en 
marcha una iniciativa de aduana electrónica que incluye un sistema automático de importación/exportación y una ventanilla única, lo que contribuirá a reducir aún más el tiempo necesario para tramitar la documentación. Por otra parte, se ha seguido ampliando el sistema de 
operadores económicos autorizados (OEA), y la red de acuerdos de reconocimiento mutuo de OEA 
incluye ahora a China. 
4.291.  A pesar de que en el informe se indica que le proceso de armonización de las normas y 
prescripciones técnicas de la UE continúa, deseamos expresar nuestra preocupación referente a las 
barreras no arancelarias, tanto los obstáculos técnicos al comercio, como las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, los cuales siguen estando muy extendidos. Entre el 1° de enero de 2013 y el 31 de 
diciembre de 2014, la UE presentó 196 notificaciones bajo el Acurdo OTC, y los distintos Estados 
miembros presentaron 68 notificaciones más, así como 151 notificaciones al Comité MSF. En este sentido, hemos dejado registradas en el Comité OTC nuestras preocupaciones por la directiva que regula los productos de tabaco, así como por la legislación de Irlanda y del Reino Unido sobre 
empaquetamiento genérico de los productos derivados del tabaco Exhortamos a la UE a seguir 
haciendo esfuerzos, a los fines de no crear obstáculos innecesarios en particular al comercio proveniente de los países en desarrollo. 
4.292.  En el área de contratación pública es de destacar que en 2014 se acordaron varias 
directivas nuevas en virtud de las cuales se ha reformado el marco jurídico, y sus disposiciones se están incorporando a las legislaciones nacionales de los Estados miembros. El paquete tiene por 
objeto mejorar la transparencia y la aplicación y simplificar los procedimientos. 
4.293.  Es de notar que el informe de la Secretaría  indica que la política agrícola común (PAC) fue 
objeto de una importante reforma mediante la adopción de varias directivas y normas de aplicación que abarcaban los pagos directos a los productores agrícolas, las medidas de mercado y 
el desarrollo rural; sin embargo, también explica e informe que si bien es posible que la reforma 
de la PAC reduzca las distorsiones de la producción en la UE, la financiación total para la agricultura y el desarrollo rural se mantendrá por encima de los 50.000 millones de euros anuales, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  lo cual es un monto considerable, que afecta la competitividad de los productos de la EU en los 
mercados internacionales, en perjuicio de los demás. Además, se siguen manteniendo los instrumentos de protección tales como aranceles elevados, contingentes arancelarios y recurso a la salvaguardia especial para la agricultura, por lo que los productores agrícolas siguen estando 
protegidos de las variaciones de los precios internacionales. 
4.294.  La República Dominicana ha presentado algunas preguntas a la UE sobre los acuerdos 
negociados con otros Estados. 
BRAZIL 
4.295.  Brazil attaches great importance to this 12th Trade Policy Review of the EU. Brazil and the 
EU have a deep longstanding political and economic relationship, which evolved into a Strategic Partnership in 2007 and over thirty Sector Dialogue s. The EU is our major trading partner, with a 
stable bilateral trade that amounted to US$88.7 billion in 2014, approximately one fifth of our 
overall trade flow last year. 
4.296.  The EU is also the largest investor in Brazil with a total FDI stock close to US$250 billion in 
2012. Brazil is the third destination of EU FDI abroad  after the U.S. and Switzerland. Over the last 
five years, the EU was responsible for half the to tal direct investment received by our country.  
4.297.  In the opposite direction, Brazil is th e fifth source of FDI in the EU, after the U.S., 
Switzerland, Canada and Japan, first among emerging economies with a total stock of 
US$98 billion in 2012. The EU is the number one destination of Brazilian FDI.  
4.298.  During her visit to Brussels last month, on the occasion of the II CELAC-EU Summit, 
President Dilma Rousseff reiterated the importance Brazil attributes to its partnership with the 
European Union and our hopes for a rapid exchange of bi-regional trade offers to pave the way for 
the conclusion of the MERCOSUL-EU Association Agreement. 
4.299.  As the leading trading region in the world, the EU has a huge responsibility in upholding 
the multilateral trading system. Its trade policies can impact the daily lives of people all over the 
globe, whose jobs and incomes are dependent upon access to the EU market. Brazil recognizes the 
continuous commitment of the EU to this organization and hopes to see it translated in enhanced 
efforts towards a more balanced global trading system. To begin with, we must conclude the Doha 
Round in a manner that fulfil our mandate and meets that objective. 
4.300.  This review exercise is, therefore, a valu able opportunity for Members to identify the areas 
in the EU's trade policy framework where further im provement would be beneficial to the system in 
its entirety.   
4.301.  From the Brazilian perspective, agriculture is an area that comes immediately to the 
forefront of our concerns.  
4.302.  The steps taken for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy reform are 
welcome, but European producers are still very much insulated from market signals and realities. High levels of producer support continue to benefit EU farmers. This means unnecessary transfers 
of income from consumers to producers that ar e harmful to competitive players in the global 
market.  
4.303.  Green Box support amounts to more than €70 billion per year. At this level of expenditure, 
it is hardly credible that programs are consistently non-distortive. We particularly invite the EU to 
provide additional information on the operation of new programs, such as "income insurance and 
income safety-net" or "structural adjustment pr ovided through investment aids". Besides, the 
potential provision of increased export subsidies remains a significant additional concern: we 
encourage the EU to move towards its complete e limination, even as an emergency, exceptional 
measure. 
4.304.  Restrictions at the border, including extremely high tariffs - 100% for frozen meat and 
sugar and 300% for concentrated milk, to name but a few - diminutive TRQs and the immoderate 
recourse to the special agricultural safeguards ha ve been left untouched over the years. Gaining WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  access for agricultural products to the EU market remains a challenge, even for a highly 
competitive producer like Brazil. Non-tariff barriers are also on the rise. 
4.305.  In the SPS area, the lack of alignment of EU measures with relevant international 
standards is of great concern to Brazil. For exampl e, the EU continues to restrict imports of meat 
with ractopamine residues within the permitted lim its and fails to recognize areas free of Foot-and-
Mouth Disease, disregarding Article 5.6 of the SPS Agreement. 
4.306.  Brazil also follows with interest recent  developments of EU sanitary regulations, in 
p a r t i c u l a r  t h e  C o m m i s s i o n ' s  p r o p o s a l  t o  a l l o w  m e m b e r  S t a t e s  t o  r e s t r i c t  o r  p r o h i b i t  t h e  u s e  o f  
genetically engineered food and feed in their terri tory even when the product has previously been 
subject to risk assessment and approved as safe by the EU. We observe, also with concern that this amendment to EU's own existing SPS regula tion would allow Member states to implement 
bans on non-scientific grounds.  
4.307.  My delegation is closely following the recent developments on EU's renewable energy 
policy. Our concerns are related to the possible im pact on biofuel and bioenergy feedstock trade of 
approved amendments to the Renewable Energy and Fuel Quality Directives. In particular, current 
sustainability criteria provisions and new default values attributed to Indirect-Land Use change effects may constitute a disguised barrier to trade. 
4.308.  During the review period, Croatia became the 28th member State of the EU. Since then, 
the EU is holding bilateral negotiations under article XXVIII with a number of Members, including Brazil. We look forward to resuming negotiations on  this subject and to its successful conclusion as 
soon as possible.  
4.309.  For the last few years, the EU has continued to be deeply affected by the economic crisis 
originated in 2008 – and its difficulties, in turn, have had a now longstanding impact on the global economy. In this regard, a number of measures have  already been taken -- and more will likely be 
needed -- in order to safeguard the economic and financial stability of the region and to promote 
growth and demand. Brazil wishes the EU all th e success in implementing the reforms that will 
enable it to overcome the crisis once and for all,  to the benefit of all its members, their national 
societies and the international community as a whole. 
4.310.  Before I finish, let me reiterate my appreciation to Angelos Pangratis, who is leaving us 
after many years as the Permanent Representative  of the European Union to the WTO. Angelos 
has been a constructive force among his peers and we are all going to miss him here in Geneva 
and wish him all the best.  
4.311.  Finally, I thank the EU for the written responses to our questions and wish the EU 
delegation a very successful and productive Trade Policy Review. 
GUATEMALA 
4.312.  Guatemala y la Unión europea han sostenido estrechas relaciones en una gran variedad de 
ámbitos, tanto a nivel bilateral como regional. Las relaciones institucionales se basan en el diálogo 
de San José iniciado en 1984, que funge como base para el fortalecimiento de la cooperación,  los 
vínculos económicos y la integración regional entre la Unión Europea y Centroamérica. En tiempos recientes, mediante el documento Estrategia Nacional 2007-2013, se ha logrado mantener un profundo grado de cooperación entre Guatemala y la Unión europea. Con base en esta estrategia, 
la UE destinó 135 millone s de euros a programas en Guatemal a sobre cohesión social, seguridad 
de las personas, y desarrollo económico comercial. Dadas las buenas relaciones y el gran interés de la Unión europea en la región, en agosto de  2014 se aprobó un nuevo programa de cooperación 
para el período 2014-2020. Otros proyectos impo rtantes que actualmente apoya la Unión europea 
en Guatemala son el plan piloto de la zona limítrofe entre Guatemala y Belice, programas destinados a brindar ayuda a familias afectadas po r la inseguridad alimentaria, así como proyectos 
de formación de líderes y de organizaciones indígenas.  
4.313.  En términos comerciales, Guatemala y la Unión europea también han sostenido 
históricamente una relación muy cercana. Desde la década de 1970, Guatemala formó parte de los países beneficiarios del Sistema Generalizado de  Preferencias comerciales (SGP) otorgado por WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  dicho bloque a países en desarrollo. Actualmente, nuestras relaciones comerciales se rigen por la 
sección sobre Comercio del Acuerdo de Asociación Unión Europea-Centroamérica, firmado en Tegucigalpa en junio de 2012. Este acuerdo fue negociado entre ambas regiones, con el fin de brindar mayor certeza jurídica y profundizar las relaciones comercial, de cooperación y política 
entre Centroamérica y la Unión Europea. La sección comercial entró en vigencia para Guatemala a 
partir de diciembre de 2013 y contempla capítulos sobre comercio de mercancías y servicios, integración económica regional y propiedad intelectual, entre otros.   
4.314.  Las principales exportaciones de Guatemala a la UE son el azúcar, el café y el banano. Sin 
embargo, en años recientes otros productos no tradicionales han incursionado con gran éxito en el mercado europeo, tales como las plantas ornamentales, las frutas, los mini vegetales y el ron entre otros. Por su parte, los principales productos importados de la UE a Guatemala son 
vehículos, maquinaria, agroquímicos, y medica mentos. A mediano plazo, esperamos que la 
progresiva ampliación de la oferta exportable de  Guatemala a la UE, gracias al Acuerdo suscrito, 
permitirá un mejor desarrollo rural para nuestro s pequeños productores agrícolas que desean 
beneficiarse del comercio internacional, grupo qu e representa un tercio de la mano de obra del 
país. 
4.315.  En relación con el examen de políticas comerciales que hoy nos concierne, resaltamos la 
activa participación de la UE en el ámbito multilateral del comercio, así como la implementación de 
iniciativas para facilitar el comercio, por ejempl o el sistema de aduana electrónica que contempla 
un sistema automático de importación/exportación y una ventanilla única destinada a reducir los trámites de documentación. Por otro lado, consideramos que serán retos de gran importancia en el 
corto plazo, la mejora en las cifras macroeconómicas, la reactivación del crecimiento económico 
aparejado de una reducción en el desempleo, así como el manejo de las importantes diferencias que aún subsisten entre sus Estados Miembros, a pesar de su alto nivel de integración,  
4.316.  Reconocemos los esfuerzos emprendidos por la Unión europea durante el período evaluado 
en este examen de políticas comerciales. Agradecemos las respuestas remitidas a las preguntas planteamos y deseamos a la delegación que hoy los representa, la conclusión exitosa de este 
ejercicio. 
ECUADOR 4.317.  El Ecuador participa con gran interés en este examen de políticas comerciales debido a la 
importancia que tiene la Unión europea en la economía y comercio mundial y en vista de que el 
17 de julio de 2014 culminamos las negociaciones de un Acuerdo comercial multipartes con la 
Unión europea, Colombia y Perú. 
4.318.  La Unión europea es uno de los socios comerciales más importantes para el Ecuador, ha 
representado, en los últimos años, el primer lugar de destino para las exportaciones no petroleras 
ecuatorianas. 
4.319.  Por otro lado, permítame referirme a los informes presentados para este examen de 
política comercial, para destacar el papel activo que desempeña la Unión europea en el sistema 
multilateral de comercio y su compromiso para propiciar el Programa de desarrollo de Doha. También es importante destacar su contribución ec onómica a favor de la "Ayuda para el comercio". 
4.320.  El Ecuador ha tomado nota de lo señalado en el informe de la Secretaría cuando manifiesta 
que el comercio de bienes y servicios extra-UE representó en el 2013 alrededor del 35% del PIB de 
ese bloque, y que los principales indicadores macroeconómicos de la mayoría de los Estados miembros han mejorado. 
4.321.  Asimismo, registramos las medidas adoptadas por la Comisión europea para hacer frente a 
las preocupaciones referidas en el informe de la Secretaría, como el elevado desempleo y el estancamiento de la inversión. 
4.322.  Adicionalmente, el informe de la Secretaría se refiere a los privilegios que los Estados 
miembros de la UE pueden otorgar a los operadores económicos establecidos en la UE y a terceros países que tienen filiales establecidas en la UE. A este respecto, preocupa al Ecuador que este tipo 
de ventajas (reducción de los controles aduaneros o un mejor acceso a las simplificaciones WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  aduaneras) favorezcan únicamente a los productos importados originarios de los países 
beneficiarios que tienen filiales establecidas en la UE. 
4.323.  El Ecuador ha observado que hay un cambio gradual sobre las pautas de la ayuda interna a 
raíz de las sucesivas reformas de la PAC. No obstante, preocupa que ese cambio se trate de un 
traslado de medidas cuyo efecto de distorsión a la producción siga presente en el comercio 
mundial de productos agrícolas.  
4.324.  Por otro lado, me refiero a los esfuerzos que realiza la Unión europea en materia de 
aduanas, al poner en marcha una iniciativa de aduana electrónica que incluye un sistema 
automático de importación/exportación y una ventanilla única, lo que sin duda contribuirá a reducir el tiempo para tramitar la documentación de las importaciones. Hacemos votos porque este sistema se implemente en todos los países Miembros de ese bloque regional ya que existen 
diferencias significativas en los tiempos de despacho y en la infraestructura. 
4.325.  De igual forma, tomamos nota de lo señalado en el informe de la Secretaría sobre los 
créditos a la exportación y otras ayudas otorgadas por los Estados miembros de la UE a la 
industria y los servicios que se encuentran comprend idos en el ámbito de aplicación de las normas 
de ese bloque regional sobre ayudas estatales, la s cuales se encuentran en proceso de reformas 
para racionalizar la normativa y mejorar su aplicación. 
4.326.  Para concluir, deseamos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de la Unión 
europea pro sus respuestas a las preguntas que he mos planteado sobre algunos aspectos concreto 
de su política comercial, lo que proveerá de insumos importantes para el fortalecimiento de las relaciones con ese importante bloque, más aún cuando se encuentran en trámite los 
procedimientos internos para la ratificación del Acuerdo multipartes suscrito el año pasado. 
INDONESIA 4.327.  At the outset, we would like to associate ourselves with the statement made by the 
esteemed Ambassador of Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN. 
4.328.  We are pleased to be here today for partic ipating in The Trade Policy Review of the EU, as 
one the biggest economies and trading entities in  the world which plays a critical role in the 
multilateral trading system. 
4.329.  In light of the trade policy review which we are commencing today, we note with positivity 
that EU, as a highly integrated economic unit with common policies and laws covering most-trade related areas, has performed well on its open and transparent economy. Indonesia commends the 
stable growth of EU economy during period und er review. Despite the complex challenges of 
macroeconomic and fiscal problems affecting some member states, EU has managed to accomplish the huge task of securing a stable development of its economy.  
4.330.  EU has shown its commitments to promote economic growth and job creation by engaging 
in negotiations to open up trade with its industrialized and emerging trade partners. Indonesia commends the stronger role of EU in promoting trade and investment liberalization through 
regional, sub-regional, and bilateral cooperations. 
4.331.  We also appreciate EU's contribution in the WTO forum. We believe that EU has continued 
to be one of the most active Members and has a strong commitment to give its best effort to make "The Post Bali" agenda successful.   
4.332.  In this opportunity, please allow me to share how both governments have been engaging a 
mutually beneficial trade relationship.  
4.333.  The EU was Indonesia's largest export destination market for non-oil products and was 
ranked the 3rd largest country for non-oil products imported by Indonesia in 2014. The total trade 
between the two economies showed an average annual in crease of 1.1% during the last five years.  
4.334.  In 2014, total trade between Indonesi a and the EU reached US$29.6 billion. In 2014, 
Indonesia's export products to the EU are dominated by agricultural products, such as palm oil and WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  natural rubber, followed by footwear. Meanwhile, Indonesia's imports from the EU are dominated 
by high technology products, such as electron ic appliances, machineries, and motor cars.  
4.335.  Total investment by the EU member countries in Indonesia during 2014 was ranked the 
2nd largest foreign investment, under Singapore. Total value of the EU's investment in Indonesia 
reached US$3.8 billion, which was allocated in over 1000 projects, as well as the establishment of 
more than 700 companies in the country. 
4.336.  Besides the strong and positive economic ties between Indonesia and EU have been 
achieved during the last decade, we still find some trade and trade related barriers that become 
Indonesia's concerns. These concerns include th e implementation of SPS and TBT requirements 
that are stricter than international standards, an d very costly to fulfil. For example, measures 
imposed on CPO, cacao, timber, fisheries, and food products. 
4.337.  We believe that through this Trade Policy Review those issues can be addressed. We have 
submitted a number of questions related to our concerns on EU's trade policies and practices. We hope that the response provided by EU will meet with our concerns.  
EL
 SALVADOR 
4.338.  Del informe de la Secretaría observamos los retos que ha enfrentado la economía de dicha 
región, en las que hay un bajo crecimiento, con un aumento del PIB del 1,3% en 2014, así como el 
desafío de la crisis monetaria en la zona del euro, el nivel de desempleo elevado, así como el 
estancamiento de la inversión. No obstante, resaltamos los esfuerzos que se están realizando para mejorar sus indicadores, tales como la flexibilización monetaria mediante su programa de compra de activos, el Plan de Inversiones para Europa, entre otras medidas.  
4.339.  En materia de política comercial, vemos que se ha seguido profundizando en acuerdos 
preferenciales con sus socios comerciales, tales como Estados Unidos, Japón y Canadá. Asimismo, continúa en vigencia el Sistema Generalizado de Preferencias para países en desarrollo y países 
menos adelantados.  
4.340.  En materia arancelaria, los aranceles NMF se han mantenido estables en los últimos dos 
años. No obstante, aún mantienen una protección elevada a sus productos con una estructura 
compleja en las tarifas a la importación, teniendo aranceles ad valorem , específicos y compuestos.  
4.341.  En el plano bilateral, deseamos destacar la constante cooperación recibida por los países 
miembros de la Unión europea, la cual está dirigida a diversas áreas tales como la integración regional centroamericana, seguridad ciudadana,  apoyo al crecimiento económico, educación, 
derechos humanos, sistema nacional de calidad, entre otros.  
4.342.  Adicionalmente, El Salvador, junto con los demás países de Centroamérica, suscribieron un 
Acuerdo preferencial con la Unión europea de caráct er bi-regional. Para El Salvador, dicho Acuerdo 
entró en vigor el 1° de octubre de 2013, y representa una oportunidad para reforzar las áreas 
comerciales, políticas y de cooperación.  
4.343.  En cuanto al comercio bilateral, la Unión europea fue el tercer destino de nuestras 
exportaciones, y el cuarto con respecto a las importaciones, totalizando un comercio de 
803 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 2014, lo cual refleja la importancia comercial de la Unión Europea para el país.  
4.344.  Dicho comercio es complementario en su mayoría, ya que de conformidad con información 
oficial, para el periodo 2012-2014 las exportaciones de El Salvador hacia la Unión europea se 
concentraron en café, lomos y conservas de atún, azúcar, miel natural, esquejes, entre otros, mientras que las exportaciones de los países de la Unión europea a El Salvador fueron 
principalmente medicamentos, metales, abonos químicos, perfumes, entre otros.  
4.345.  Al cuarto trimestre de 2014, la inversión extrajera directa proveniente de países miembros 
de la Unión europea tiene un saldo de 973 millones de dólares EE.UU., siendo nuestro tercer 
inversionista extranjero. Dicha inversión se concentra en los sectores agroindustriales y 
telecomunicaciones.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.346.  En el plano multilateral, tal como lo recoge el informe de la Secretaría, la Unión europea es 
uno de los Miembros más activos y comprometidos con finalizar el Programa de Doha para el Desarrollo. El Salvador aplaude los esfuerzos de la Unión europea en el marco de esta Organización y agradece el apoyo que da a las pequeñas economías, agrupación a la que 
El Salvador pertenece.  
MONTENEGRO 4.347.  As a country that, in October 2007, signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement 
(SAA), Interim Agreement on trade and trade related issues and commenced the accession 
process for the full membership in the EU, Montenegro notes with interest all aspects of this TPR and the EU's report. In addition, Montenegro takes it in the context of the fact that EU accounts 
close to 44% of our total international trade and in the light of current negotiations with the EU 
related to 20 chapters that had been opened so  far and in particular Chapter 30 with its common 
commercial policy. To this end, I am pleased to state that we see overall economic and commercial relations between EU and Montenegro as strong and sound in the partnership that progresses with 
transformational effect to the economic developm ent of my country both bilaterally with member 
states and within multilateral organisations. Montenegro is particularly grateful for the EU new framework for providing us with pre-accession assistance for the period 2014-2020 for which an 
indicative amount of €270.5 mil. is foreseen to be allocated, including investments and capacity 
building in priority sectors - the areas of economic reforms, development policy and 
competitiveness, aiming at full harmonization with the EU's market. Montenegro notes with 
appreciation that excellent cooperation with the Delegation of the EU in the WTO complements this 
progress. This cooperation was particularly reflected during our recent successful negotiations in 
the framework of the GPA which provided for the necessary flexibility for our accession to this important WTO agreement.  
4.348.  Let me now turn to the documents under review. Montenegro wishes to congratulate the 
EU on the many developments in the internal mark et that have occurred since the last trade policy 
review. Undergoing such wide-ranging changes in areas as diverse as the Common Agricultural 
Policy and public procurement is not only important for the EU's long term economic growth, but 
also its efficiency and competitiveness internationally. Consistent with the aims of the EU, Montenegro is pleased to observe that the EU retains its commitment to the better functioning of the internal market as this is a key driver of economic growth and equally significant for the 
confidence of all its partners as well as of candidates for the full membership to the EU.  
4.349.  In addition, Montenegro wishes to congra tulate the EU on its enlargement by embracing 
our neighbour Croatia in 2013 and its recent successes in concluding free trade agreements with a 
number of States. In this context, we would like to highlight the EU progress in relation to the 
Economic and Financial Dialogue with the Western Balkans, signing of the trade and investment agreements with Canada and Singapore and continued efforts in Transatlantic Trade and 
Investment Partnership with the USA. As all members of the WTO will be aware, negotiating 
bilateral and multilateral trade agreements of this  scale is not always easy. Montenegro therefore 
commends the EU on the extent of successe s it has achieved in this regard.  
4.350.  Further still, of particular importance to Montenegro is the EU's continued commitment to 
the Doha Development Agenda and the multilateral trading system. Montenegro is very pleased to 
observe the strength of the EU leadership toward s successful conclusion of current negotiations 
and its most active role in Aid for Trade initiative for the developing and least developed countries. 
Much like the EU, Montenegro regards the 10th Mini sterial Conference in Nairobi as a crucial focal 
point for these efforts. Further in agreement with the EU, Montenegro is firmly convinced that the conclusion of negotiations has the potential to strengthen the multilateral trading system and 
stimulate important economic growth in the years to come.  
4.351.  As observed by the Secretariat, the EU is an open and transparent economy, and one of 
the largest trading entities in the world. Although the EU has, much like many other countries, experienced slowdowns in GDP growth over the pa st few years, Montenegro is firmly convinced 
that the EU's careful management of its current internal challenges and long-term aims of 
promoting trade and investment will stimulate growth and benefits for all its members and partners in the fullness of time.   WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.352.  Finally, Montenegro wishes distinguished Ambassador Alexis Pangratis all the best in his 
future endeavours following the end of his tenure in July of this year. Ambassador Pangratis has 
worked tirelessly to promote the interests of the EU and his contributions to the work of the WTO have been remarkable. In addition, Montenegro wo uld like to thank Latvian Mission to the WTO for 
a great cooperation during its six months Presidency of the EU Council and to also congratulate 
Luxembourg on its on-going Presidency of the EU. 
SRI
 LANKA 
4.353.  As stated by many delegates, EU has been an important player in the global trade in many 
areas. It has been the number one exporter of go ods and services to the world while registering it 
as the second largest importer in the world. EU has also been the number one source of FDI to the 
world.  
4.354.  As a Member of the WTO, Sri Lanka apprec iates great importance attached by the EU for 
the ongoing negotiations on the Doha Developmen t Agenda and preparation of a Post-Bali Work 
Programme.  
4.355.  We have noted that the EU has played a vita l role as the leading provider of Aid for Trade. 
We have seen many activities initiated by the EU during the fifth review of recently concluded Aid 
for Trade programme at the WTO. We also appreciate the steps taken by the EU for early 
ratification of Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.356.  With regard to relations between the EU an d Sri Lanka, the political, economic, social and 
cultural relations between Sri Lanka and the Eu ropean countries go back to centuries.  
4.357.  In 1975, the European Commission concluded a commercial cooperation agreement with 
the Government of Sri Lanka and it was upgraded to a comprehensive economic cooperation 
agreement on partnership and development since April 1995. 
4.358.  The EU has emerged as number one dest ination for Sri Lanka's exports. Sri Lanka's 
exports to the EU, which recorded at US$2.9 billion in 2010 has increased to US$3.5 billion in 
2014. The EU markets account for over one third (1 /3) of total exports of Sri Lanka. 50% of our 
exports to the EU consist of apparel products. Sr i Lanka has been successful in the EU market in 
this sector despite the loss of GSP+ facility in 2010. 
4.359.  Sri Lanka continues to benefit from the EU standard GSP scheme. Sri Lanka expects to 
benefit from the GSP+ facility under the new scheme, which came into effect from 1 January 2014. In this regard, I wish to draw the attention, pa rticularly to the preferential rules of origin. As 
mentioned earlier, exports of apparel products account for larger portion of export to the EU 
markets. The current rules of origin that requires double transformation to qualify the origin status, as some negative effects on Sri Lanka, as a country relies on import material. The industry 
is yet to develop as a vertically integrated manufacturing industry. These conditions on rules of 
origin have adverse effect on growth potential of the apparel sector. Sri Lanka, therefore, requests 
the EU to consider relaxing these rules of origin for vulnerable small economies. 
4.360.  As an added fact to the above, I also wish to state that under the new scheme, some 
countries in the region will not be eligible for cumulative rules of origin due to their exit from the scheme under the criteria of the scheme. I therefor e, kindly request the EU delegation to make a 
note of these developments with a view to facilitate countries such as Sri Lanka. 
4.361.  I appreciate the trade-related assistance  of the EU, particularly in the areas of GI 
registration and implementation of SPS measures to comply with the EU requirements. The EU being an economic union, where geographical indications played a vital role, Sri Lanka wishes to 
request for sharing of their experience in this direction. 
4.362.  Sri Lanka also appreciates development assi stance received from the EU. During the past 
ten years, the EU has provided approximatel y €750 million as development assistance under 
various programmes including capacity development assistance on trade-related areas. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  NEPAL 
4.363.  I appreciate Ambassador Pangratis and his team in the Geneva Mission for the deep and 
constructive engagements in the whole gamut of WTO process and meaningful and results-oriented contributions to the multilateral trading system. 
4.364.  The circulated reports reveal that despite challenges following the global economic crisis, 
most of the EU economies have shown robustness and resilience. The international trade remained an important driver of economic growth in the EU  for the period 2010-13, and except in few areas, 
no major changes in the legal and institutional framework for trade and investment policies took 
place since the last review in 2013. With a simple average bound tariff rate of 6.5%, EU maintains one of the most liberal trade regimes in the worl d, accounting for 16.4 percent share of the world's 
good and services export. Robust institutional se tup backed by liberal, transparent and stable 
policy, has supported EU to recover and revitalize its economy and come out of recession, which is 
very important for global recovery and growth.    
4.365.  One of the EU's priority areas is Aid fo r Trade through which EU supports many developing 
countries and LDCs to build trade infrastructure and enhance capacity in order to enable them to 
be integrated into the multilateral trading system. EU and its member States together were the world's largest provider of Aid for Trade (AfT) in the world in 2012, contributing €11.6 billion which 
is almost one third of total AfT flows. In this connection, it is good to note that EU pays more 
attention to LDCs and other needy countries to strengthen their trade capacities. 
4.366.  The new 'Generalized Scheme of Preferen ces (GSP), which came into effect during the 
review period, intends to extend preferences on th e basis of needs of the poorer countries. Of the 
three defined categories under the new GSP, EBA is specifically meant for LDCs since it offers 
duty-free quota-free (DFQF) markets access for all products from LDCs except arms and ammunitions. It is heartening to note that EU has taken the lead in implementing the Hong Kong 
Ministerial decision on DFQF in full, and set a model for others to follow.  
4.367.  EU's preferential rules allow LDCs to use up to 70% non-originating materials under value 
added criteria, which is supportive to LDCs to enha nce their exports. It is generally found to be 
more flexible and transparent. We encourage EU to undertake further improvement in its rules of 
origin in line with the Bali decision to enable LDCs to make best use of intended benefits from the EBA scheme. We would like to urge EU to take into account some of the specific concerns of the landlocked LDCs such as recognition of self-cer tification issued by their competent authority, 
expanding coverage of cumulation for LDCs for manufacturing or assembling products, among 
others.  
4.368.  The prevalence of stringent SPS and TBT measures in some cases, however, still pose 
impediments to LDCs products from entry into the EU market. We therefore urge EU to relax SPS 
and TBT measures to LDCs' exports, where appropriate, and extend support to LDCs to enhance their capacity in the area of applying and adopting SPS and TBT measures. 
4.369.  During the high-level meeting convened in  February this year, EU announced a package of 
waiver to the LDCs services and service provider s in the various sectors and modes of services 
transactions. In this regard, LDCs are waiting EU's notification together with other preference-granting members by end July.     
4.370.  EU is Nepal's important trading partner o ccupying almost 11.2% share in its total exports. 
We value the EU market as it is the second largest export destination for the Nepalese products. EU and its member countries have remained the largest and most prominent group of partners in 
Nepal's development endeavours, providing substantive financial and technical assistance over the 
years. EU has been assisting Nepal in various area s of trade, including capacity building of trade 
personnel, product development and improving la b equipment related to SPS and TBT standards. 
We also want to acknowledge the substantive reli ef and other assistance provided by the EU and 
its member States in the wake of the recent deadly earthquake. 
4.371.  EU is also one of the largest sources of  FDI for Nepal to promote industrialization and 
expand employment opportunities in the country.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.372.  Finally, we urge EU to continue and further expand its trade liberalization process, putting 
LDCs' concerns and interests at the centre. An instrumental role of EU is expected in preparing post-Bali work programme that leads us towards concluding the remaining DDA issues with logical outcomes. 
URUGUAY 
4.373.  Uruguay le da la bienvenida a la delegación de la Unión europea en esta importante 
instancia para el sistema multilateral del comercio que contribuye a la transparencia de las 
políticas comerciales de los miembros.  
4.374.  La Unión europea, en tanto una de las economías y entidades comerciales mayores del 
mundo, desempeña un papel fundamental en el sistema multilateral de comercio, y ha sido tradicionalmente un mercado de especial importancia para nuestro país. Los países de la UE 
reciben anualmente alrededor del 20% del total de nuestras exportaciones.  
4.375.  Nuestro país exporta a la UE sobre todo productos agropecuarios de alta calidad como 
carne bovina refrigerada y congelada, pasta de madera, pieles y cueros, madera, frutas frescas y 
lana, entre otros. En el año pasado, las exportaciones de celulosa aumentaron fuertemente, 
convirtiéndose en nuestro 4º producto de exportación. Se espera que este año aumente aún más y casi la mitad de estas exportaciones son dirigida s a la Unión europea. Por todo lo expuesto, el 
desarrollo de las relaciones comerciales con UE constituye una prioridad en nuestra agenda 
externa.  
4.376.  En 2014, nuestro país perdió acceso preferencial para sus mercancías al mercado 
comunitario a través del Sistema de Preferencias  Generalizadas, y varios sectores se vieron 
afectados (especialmente cítricos, arándanos, cueros, madera, carne equina y productos de mar). 
Por otra parte, se registra el efecto de la re cesión sobre la demanda de importaciones europeas 
desde Uruguay, que han disminuido en el entorno del 8% en el período objeto de examen. 
4.377.  Asimismo, y de acuerdo a lo previsto por el Acuerdo Marco de Cooperación entre la 
Comunidad Europea y la República Oriental del Uruguay de 1992, en junio del 2014 se celebró la IX reunión de la Comisión Mixta Uruguay-Unión Europea. Este sistema de diálogo y consultas 
permite identificar puntos de interés común así como fomentar el diálogo en materia de 
cooperación y de comercio bilateral. 
4.378.  En relación al contingente abierto en 2009 por la Unión europea para la carne bovina de 
Alta Calidad como resultado de la Diferencia entre los Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea: 
"Comunidades Europeas—Medidas que afectan a la carne y los productos cárnicos (hormonas)", 
resulta de interés para Uruguay que se agilice el mecanismo de publicación de información estadística actualizada sobre el uso de esta cuota. Esto evitará y minimizará las dificultades que 
pudieran presentarse en la administración de cada trimestre. 
4.379.  Respecto a la reciente adhesión de Croacia a la Unión europea, y en virtud del 
Artículo XXIV numeral 6 del GATT, Uruguay solic itó debidamente sus compensaciones y recordó 
sus derechos como negociador inicial y abastecedor principal. Reiteró en varias oportunidades, la 
solicitud de una justa y necesaria compensación. 
4.380.  Por otra parte, Uruguay solicitó iniciar los trámites para exportar carne ovina con hueso a 
través de un sistema de producción compartimentado y aislado que fue presentado en la OIE. Si 
bien las autoridades de la UE aún están estudiando el reconocimiento del compartimento, esta 
delegación expresa una vez más la voluntad de Uruguay de que este compartimento sea examinado y evaluado para luego proceder a su reconocimiento. 
4.381.  En relación a la armonización de la normativa europea entre sus Estados miembros, 
todavía se registra cierta disparidad en el control de la Escherichia Coli (STECS) en carne bovina en los puestos de inspección de frontera de la Unión europea. En virtud de que es de interés para 
Uruguay que se armonicen los criterios aplicados, reconocemos el esfuerzo que la UE está 
realizando en la elaboración de directrices que establezcan criterios homogéneos al respecto. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.382.  En esta misma línea de medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, quisiéramos manifestar nuestra 
preocupación por la propuesta adoptada por la  Comisión Europea sobre un paquete de medidas 
que afecta a la cadena agroalimentaria. 
4.383.  Uruguay importa desde la UE productos manufacturados como maquinaria de todo tipo, 
equipos eléctricos, fertilizantes, productos farmacéuticos, productos químicos, entre otros. La UE 
es muy importante para nuestro país para el suministro de bienes de capital e insumos de la industria manufacturera. 
4.384.  Por otro lado se destaca la presencia de empresas europeas en Uruguay en los sectores de 
manufacturas y en servicios, ha ido creciendo y ocupa hoy un lugar de gran importancia en sectores estratégicos en el país como las telecomunicaciones, los servicios logísticos, portuarios, la energía, construcción, infraestructura, servicios financieros, sector inmobiliario, y agro-negocios. 
Consideramos que esto demuestra nuestra apertura y transparencia a la inversión y el 
posicionamiento de Uruguay como centro logístico y hub en América del Sur y puerta de entrada al MERCOSUR. 
4.385.  Uruguay desea reconocer los esfuerzos de la UE en las reformas emprendidas para paliar 
el bajo y frágil crecimiento sufrido en los últimos años. 
4.386.  Con respecto a la actual política comercial de la UE, quisiéramos realizar las siguientes 
observaciones: 
4.387.  Nuestro país reconoce la importancia de la reciente reforma de la política agrícola común 
(PAC) y sus directivas y normas tendientes a fortalecer el mercado y reducir las distorsiones en la producción europea agrícola. A pesar de esto, si guen existiendo muy importantes subvenciones a 
la producción, restricciones de acceso a mercados, y recursos a la salvaguardia especial que 
afectan fuertemente a los países exportadores de productos agrícolas. 
4.388.  Se destaca que la reforma de la PAC incrementa el uso de medidas de caja verde y si bien 
reduce las medidas de caja ámbar, las medidas distorsivas siguen siendo muy importantes.  
4.389.  Uruguay reconoce la importancia de la decisión política de la UE de no utilización de 
subvenciones directas a las exportaciones y sería muy importante que la UE asumiera 
compromisos en esta materia. 
4.390.  Por otra parte, cabe señalar que para Uruguay la negociación del Acuerdo UE-MERCOSUR 
sigue siendo prioritaria y realizará todos los esfuerzos para una conclusión exitosa del mismo.  
PAKISTAN 
4.391.  Allow me to begin by quoting from the Government's report the resounding opening 
remarks of the EU Trade Commissioner, Cecillia Malmstrorm, stating that her "goal is to develop an EU trade policy that improves people's lives , in Europe and around the World, by providing 
economic opportunity and supporting a more inte grated, innovative and peaceful world". We are 
greatly encouraged by this commitment. 
4.392.  According to the Government report, the EU 28 (Croatia joined the EU in 2013 as its 28th 
member) ranked number one in the Global Services trade, while being number two in the Goods 
trade as of 2013-14, this makes EU a critical play er in success of the Multilateral Trading System. 
4.393.  Pakistan appreciates EU on its leadership role and the significant contribution rendered to 
the global trading system, based upon its embedde d belief toward institutional strengthening of 
the WTO and unwavering resolve for a successful conclusion of the DDA. 
4.394.  We sincerely share and appreciate the EU 's global vision for post-2015 "Development 
Vision" as mentioned in the concluding Chapter of the Government report – underscoring the need 
of a decent life for all and urging Global Partnership for poverty eradication and sustainable 
development in the post-2015 world. Pakistan de eply applauds this EU initiative meant for 
advancing its Global agenda for a peaceful and humane world – recognizing development as 
critical to all other forms of fundamental freedoms. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.395.  With all due deference to these noble endeav ours, now, allow me to shed light on some of 
the challenges that the EU is faced with as highlighted in the Secretariat's report. 
 In agriculture – although the EU have remarkably reduced its most trade distorting support 
(from 92% in 1986-88 to 26% by 2011-13), th e report notes that the EU's applied 
Agriculture Policy remained unchanged since the last TPR, with the transitional measures 
still intact at the time of writing this report. Further, the fill rates depicted wide variation among many of the 112 notified TRQs, which posed daunting challenges to the EU's 
procedural fairness in implementing TRQ regime. 
 In NAMA - tariff peaks remained major hurdles against a range of products critical to the 
exports of developing countries and coupled with the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) – raised cost of doing business for the SMEs, in particular.    
 Having said that, on the other hand, we are pleased to note the initiation of the ratification 
process of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by Brussels since March 2015, which expressly reflects the EU's firm commitment to not only institutional strengthening of the WTO but also 
furthering the global trading environment. Pakistan sincerely appreciates these efforts and 
expects to see encouraging results in the upcoming MC-10 in Nairobi – not only entry into force of the TFA but also extraordinary progress in concluding the DDA issues. And we 
repose full confidence in the EU's sincerest endeavours to achieve these objectives. 
 On Trade Remedy Measures – it is encouraging to note the remarkable reduction in 
antidumping investigations to almost half (16) in the period under review compared to the previous two years.  
4.396.  We note with greatest sincerity the untiring efforts of H.E. Ambassador Pangratis and his 
Geneva based team, his unflinching support rendered to the institutional integrity of the multilateral trading system and his firm commitment to concluding a successful DDA. 
4.397.  I now wish to dilate upon the EU's pref erential trading schemes – Pakistan wishes to 
extend its deepest gratitude to the EU's unwavering support – through employing its soft power and framing several preferential trade arrangements that factored in ethical values for a humane 
world. Noteworthy are the three major preferenti al trading schemes: one, the Generalized System 
of Preferences (GSP); two, the GSP plus; and three, the EBA. 
4.398.  Evidently, all these schemes are galvanized to provide incentives to the beneficiaries with a 
view to promoting ethical linkages between tr ade and sustainable development. Indeed, these 
initiatives are laudable and Pakistan fully acknowledges and supports the EU to inculcate these 
values through trade diplomacy. 
4.399.  Having said that, the EU continued to remain our traditional trading partner, ranking 
number one, among others. The EU market is critical  to Pakistan's exports – almost 29% of all our 
exports are destined for the EU.  
4.400.  Being one of the 13 GSP plus beneficiaries since 1 January 2014, Pakistan has witnessed 
an increase in its exports from 21% (2012) to 29% in 2014 as stated before. And we remain firmly 
committed to effective implementation of all elem ents of the scheme and the present Government 
has already undertaken all necessary steps in this regard. 
4.401.  The enterprises which got increased business through GSP + employ women in large 
numbers and it has given a boost to economic empowerment of women in Pakistan.  
4.402.  Here I reiterate and applaud the EU for its overarching principles of factoring in the ethical 
dimensions within the GSP Plus, which are deemed indispensable and inseparable to sustainable 
development and with special emphasis toward gender empowerment, which makes almost half of 
the demographic count in Pakistan. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  BAHRAIN 
4.403.  Despite our small size, Bahrain has managed to maintain a total value of trade of over 
€2.6 billion with the EU in the last year, making it our second largest trading partner, and our largest export partner: with minerals covering up to 60% of our exports to the EU. We are 
therefore happy to see that the EU has remained an open, transparent, and a highly integrated 
economy; and that their main tariff profile has remained unchanged over the period under review. 
4.404.  We are looking forward to continued cooperation with the EU to deepen our relationship 
both within the WTO in which it plays a major and active role; and bilaterally through the 
finalization of the EU-GCC free trade agreement. 
4.405.  In conclusion, we would like to thank the Secretariat for the preparation of this thorough 
review and express our appreciation to Ambassador Gabriel Duque for his valuable comments as 
discussant. 
PANAMÁ 4.406.  La Unión europea continúa siendo una economía sumamente integrada, abierta y 
transparente. Ha registrado a la fecha un moderado  crecimiento, aunque aún lento y frágil, pero 
con perspectivas de mejoras para los próximos años. 
4.407.  La Unión europea realiza esfuerzos importantes al hacer reformas estructurales para 
aumentar la competitividad especialmente en áreas como la consolidación fiscal, mercado de 
trabajo, la enseñanza y el bienestar social. Espera con este enfoque lograr a largo plazo mayores avances en su recuperación económica. 
4.408.  En cuanto a la inversión extranjera directa, la Unión europea sigue siendo en su conjunto 
el principal destinatario y el principal proveedor de inversión extranjera directa en el mundo. 
4.409.  Creemos que es necesario resaltar tambié n que la Unión europea otorga gran importancia 
a la cooperación para el desarrollo y en el año 2012, junto a sus Estados miembros, fue el mayor 
proveedor de ayuda para el comercio con un 32% de las corrientes totales. Subrayamos además, 
los importantes esfuerzos y apoyo que brinda la Unión europea a la facilitación del comercio. En este punto, aprovechamos para felicitar a la Unión europea por el inicio de su proceso de 
ratificación del Acuerdo de facilitación del comercio en febrero de este año. 
4.410.  Desde el último período de examen, la Unión europea comenzó a aplicar cuatro nuevos 
acuerdos comerciales bilaterales, entre los cuales se encuentra el acuerdo entre la Unión europea y Centroamérica, primer acuerdo de asociación entr e regiones que entró en vigencia el 1 de agosto 
de 2013. Este acuerdo fue firmado con el objetivo de incentivar y consolidar el comercio regional, 
a través de regulaciones en el intercambio de bienes y servicios, inversiones, propiedad intelectual, compras gubernamentales, facilitación del comercio, solución de controversias, entre 
otras. 
4.411.  En el año 2014, el intercambio comercial de bienes entre Panamá y la Unión europea 
representó el 13% ocupando el segundo lugar en importancia. Este intercambio aumentó 133% en 
el 2014, con respecto al 2010. El comportamiento de la balanza comercial muestra una situación 
de déficit para Panamá a favor de la Unión europea en cada uno de los años del 2010 al 2013. 
4.412.  En el año 2014, las exportaciones de Panamá a la Unión europea representaron el 23% del 
valor total de las exportaciones de bienes. Las exportaciones de bienes panameños hacia la Unión 
europea ocupan el primer lugar en importancia en nuestra economía y aumentaron 4% con 
relación al año 2010. En cuanto a las importaciones para el año 2014, las importaciones de Panamá procedentes de Unión europea representaron el 11,4% del valor total de las 
importaciones. Las importaciones de bienes provenientes de Unión europea ocupan el segundo 
lugar en importancia, representando un aumento del 158% con respecto al año 2010. 
4.413.  La inversión de la Unión europea en Panamá es de B/. 7,888 millones en el 2013, 
representando el 25% del valor total, ocupando el primer lugar en importancia. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.414.  El flujo de carga larga de la Unión europe a a través del Canal de Panamá en el 2014 fue de 
24,906,216 toneladas largas, representando el 5% del total, ocupando el quinto lugar en importancia. 
4.415.  Para finalizar, deseamos felicitar a la Unión europea por su destacado rol en la OMC y por 
su activa participación en negociaciones e iniciativas plurilaterales. 
BÉNIN 4.416.  L'intérêt du Bénin pour les travaux de ce jour est double puisqu'il entretient d'excellentes 
relations de coopération dans divers domaines d'activités de développement économique et social 
et institutionnel, aussi bien avec l'Union européenne, prise comme entité, qu'avec les États membres de l'Union qui figurent parmi les plus  grands partenaires bilatéraux du Bénin. 
4.417.  L'Union européenne constitue un Membre dynamique de notre Organisation, aussi bien par 
son poids dans le commerce international que par sa taille puisqu'elle réunit, depuis son 
élargissement annoncé lors du dernier examen, 28 membres avec l'adhésion, en juillet 2013, de la Croatie. 
4.418.  Elle est incontestablement un acteur clé, avec plus de 500 millions d'habitants et une 
ouverture de son régime commercial qui en fait le plus grand marché commun du monde avec plus de 17% du PIB mondial en 2013. 
4.419.  Elle occupe le premier rang pour le commerce des marchandises et des services et pour les 
stocks d'IED entrants et sortants, à raison de €523 milliards reçus (46,2% des flux entrants mondiaux) et €475,5 milliards investis à l'étranger (43,5% des flux sortants mondiaux), au titre de l'année 2013. 
4.420.  Il est appréciable de noter que l'Union européenne s'engage activement dans la défense 
d'une politique commerciale qui milite en faveur de règles commerciales fiables, transparentes, susceptibles d'insuffler une croissance et un développement durables. 
4.421.  La délégation du Bénin exhorte l'Union européenne à poursuivre ses efforts afin que l'OMC 
demeure le cadre privilégié de promotion et de défense d'un système commercial mondial juste et équitable qui crée pour tous ses acteurs, en l'occurrence ceux en développement et plus 
particulièrement les PMA, l'environnement favorable et les outils et mécanismes nécessaires pour 
faire du commerce un levier efficace de création de richesses et, par conséquent, de lutte contre la pauvreté. 
4.422.  Ceci passe, entre autres, par un engagement productif et une conjugaison des efforts de 
tous dans le sens de la conclusion, dans les meilleurs délais possibles, du Programme de Doha 
pour le développement avec la prise en compte de son aspect "développement". 
4.423.  La délégation du Bénin réitère sa disponibilité pleine et entière à œuvrer à l'atteinte de cet 
objectif avec pour impératif immédiat l'élaboration du Programme de travail post-Bali qui, 
conformément aux instructions données par nos Ministres à Bali, en décembre 2013, fait fond sur les décisions prises lors de la 9
ème Conférence ministérielle, en particulier en ce qui concerne 
l'agriculture, le développement et les questions relatives aux PMA, y compris l'importante et bien 
vitale question du Coton, ainsi que toutes les au tres questions relevant du mandat de Doha qui 
sont essentielles à la conclusion du Cycle, d'une part, et accorde priorité aux questions figurant dans le Paquet de Bali pour lesquelles des résult ats juridiquement contraignants n'ont pas pu être 
obtenus, d'autre part. 
4.424.  Le rapport élaboré par l'Union européenne indique que tout en restant attachée à la 
poursuite du développement du système commercial multilatéral, l'UE participe activement aux 
négociations plurilatérales. Il est appréciable de noter que dans cette démarche, elle veille à ce 
que les initiatives prises dans ce cadre demeurent transparentes et inclusives, de même qu'elles veillent à rester compatibles avec les règles de l'OMC. 
4.425.  Il est donc vivement recommandé que ces initiatives complètent utilement les actions 
menées dans le cadre multilatéral à l'OMC, plutôt que de s'y substituer. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.426.  L'un des éléments de la politique commerciale de l'Union européenne constitue sa Politique 
agricole commune (PAC) qui, à travers les mesures adoptées fin 2013 pour couvrir la période 2014-2020, s'évertue à encourager le recours à des instruments de politique ayant des effets de distorsion moindres. 
4.427.  La délégation du Bénin encourage l'Union européenne à poursuivre ses efforts 
conjointement avec d'autres Membres de l'OMC dans le sens d'une réduction substantielle, voire de l'élimination de toutes les mesures qui sont de nature à causer des distorsions au commerce. 
4.428.  La délégation du Bénin saisit la présente occasion pour saluer les actions menées par 
l'Union européenne en vue de fournir aux pays en développement, notamment aux PMA, 
l'assistance au titre de l'Aide pour le commerce afin de les aider à se doter de la capacité du côté de l'offre et de l'infrastructure liée au commerce dont ils ont besoin pour mettre en œuvre les 
Accords de l'OMC et en tirer profit et, plus généralement, pour accroître leur commerce. 
4.429.  Pour finir, et au lendemain du lancement de la deuxième phase du Cadre intégré renforcé 
(CIR), intervenu lors des travaux de la cinquième Revue globale de l'aide pour le commerce, la 
délégation béninoise exhorte l'Union européenne à poursuivre son appui en faveur de l'intégration 
pleine et effective des Pays les moins avancés dans le système commercial multilatéral. 
MAURITIUS 
4.430.  Mauritius and the EU share excellent relati ons. The preferential access we enjoyed in the 
past under the Lomé conventions and the Cotonou Agreement were instrumental for the economic development of Mauritius. The EU remains our main trade partner and absorbs some 65% our exports. The EU has also been the main aid donor of Mauritius under the different EDF. In addition, 
the bulk of tourists to Mauritius are from the EU . Our economy is therefore intricately linked to 
that of the EU. This is why we are concerned by the feeble growth rates in the EU markets and the 
continuing crisis in the Eurozone. The volatility of the euro has a profound impact on our own 
economy. 
4.431.  With the conclusion and implementation of the Interim EPA, we have turned a new page in 
our relationship based on reciprocal market open ing. We have liberalized some 95% of our trade 
under the Agreement while we have 100% duty free access. We have also signed a fisheries 
chapter which is aimed at promoting sustainable fishing. We are currently engaged in the negotiations of a full EPA but this process has been stalled for some time. We expect to revive the Talks after September as recently agreed. 
4.432.  Exports of sugar to the EU have been one of the main planks of our relations. We are now 
concerned that the elimination of internal EU quotas might negatively impact our access to the market and also bring down the price of sugar wi th the ensuing repercussions for the sector. The 
support of the EU to pursue the modernization of  the sector and improve competitiveness is vital 
for the industry to survive in the face of global competition. 
4.433.  We are also concerned with the potential impact of the multiplicity of FTA's being 
negotiated by the EU with more competitive countries which has the potential to undermine our 
market access. With the EU agenda for change, the share of EU`s grant to Mauritius under the 
EDF has also experienced a drastic cut. We hope however to be able to leverage with regional funding which EU has provided to the COMESA and SADC. 
4.434.  Mauritius has been a leading proponent of  the Trade Facilitation Ag reement. We seek the 
support of the EU to implement some of the Trad e Facilitation measures under the TF Agreement. 
We understand that an envelope of €400 millio n has been earmarked to support developing 
countries for implementation of the TFA. We hope that the disbursement modalities would be 
finalized soon.  
4.435.  Our relations with the EU have been a special one. We hope to take them to a higher level 
with the conclusion of a full and comprehensive EPA and hope to see more trade and investment 
flows between us. In particular, we would like to invite the EU to prospect further investment opportunities in Mauritius, in particular in upcoming sectors such as health, education, seafood and the ocean economy. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  HONDURAS 
4.436.  Actualmente, la UE es considerada como una unidad económica muy integrada, con 
políticas y legislación comunes que abarcan la mayoría de las esferas relacionadas con el comercio y desempeña un papel fundamental en el sistema multilateral de comercio en el cual ha 
manifestado su compromiso por concluir el PDD. 
4.437.  Al mismo tiempo, hacemos notar que los informes reconocen que en general la UE se 
caracteriza por regímenes de comercio e inversión abiertos y transparentes. De los informes se 
desprende que la propiedad intelectual es muy importante para la economía de la UE y constituye 
uno de los principales motores de crecimiento tratando de asegurar la recompensa a la creatividad y la innovación. 
4.438.  De conformidad con la FAO, en 2012, la UE fue en términos de valor, el segundo mayor 
productor, el segundo mayor exportador y el principal importador de productos agropecuarios del 
mundo, por lo que evidentemente, la evolución de las políticas de producción y comercio de productos agropecuarios en la UE son de interés de los Miembros en esta casa. 
4.439.  Al mismo tiempo, notamos que los servicios de distribución constituyen uno de los 
principales sectores de servicios: el comercio al por mayor y al por menor representa más del 11% del PIB y cerca del 15% del empleo. 
4.440.  El comercio extra-UE es fundamental para la economía y el comercio de bienes y servicios 
representó en 2013 alrededor del 35% del PIB de la UE. En ese sentido, quisiéramos señalar que a nivel regional y bilateral, en el año 2013 se inició la aplicación del Acuerdo de Asociación entre la UE y la región de Centroamérica (es decir, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua y Panamá, actuando como una sola parte) el cual constituye el primer acuerdo de 
asociación entre regiones y se asienta en tres pilares que se refuerzan mutuamente a saber, el diálogo político, la cooperación y un acuerdo comercial. 
4.441.  Este instrumento ha conllevado una ambiciosa alianza que ha permitido profundizar, 
intensificar y potenciar los fructíferos vínculos políticos, de cooperación y de comercio establecidos entre ambas regiones desde el año 1984. El acuerdo ha contribuido al fortalecimiento del proceso 
de integración centroamericana y a la generación de mayores oportunidades para los exportadores 
hondureños que favorecidas bajo el Sistema generalizado de Preferencias Plus (SGP+) han incrementado durante los últimos años sus exportaciones hacia ese importante mercado. 
4.442.  Del informe se desprende que en 2013, los tres principales productos de importación de la 
UE a nivel de 4 dígitos del SA, fueron el café, las tortas oleaginosas, y las habas de soja. Las 
principales fuentes de las importaciones de café fueron el Brasil, Suiza, Viet Nam y Honduras, lo que evidencia el balance positivo de nuestras relaciones comerciales. 
4.443.  En 2014, exportamos alrededor de 900 millones de dólares EE.UU. en café, cocos, nueces 
de marañón, pescados, azúcar de caña, tabaco y papas entre otros e importamos 630 millones de dólares EE.UU. principalmente en motores y generadores eléctricos, tractores, fibras ópticas, papel 
y polímeros de etileno. La UE como bloque representa para Honduras nuestro quinto socio 
comercial en exportaciones  el octavo en importaciones. 
4.444.  En lo que respecta a los flujos de IED, la UE ha invertido más de 283 millones de dólares 
EE.UU donde resaltan empresas dedicadas a las actividades de telecomunicaciones, industria 
manufacturera y construcción. 
4.445.  El pasado 10 de junio, previo a la Segunda Cumbre UE-CELAC 2015, firmó un convenio con 
la Unión europea por 40 millones de euros para mejorar la seguridad alimentaria en el corredor 
seco y programas de generación y empleo, así como apoyo a pequeños productores para que 
mejoren su forma de cultivo, riego por goteo y fertilización en riego. Asimismo, se firmó el convenio con el Banco europeo de inversiones por más de 65 millones de euros para la 
construcción de la carretera del occidente, la que generará un impacto comercial para ambos 
bloques económicos. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.446.  Cabe mencionar que la UE es uno de los principales donantes en los temas de la ayuda 
para el comercio así como para los programas de facilitación del comercio a nivel multilateral, regional y bilateral por lo que aprovechamos esta oportunidad para manifestar nuestro profundo agradecimiento a la Unión europea por su valioso apoyo y cooperación brindada. 
ICELAND 
4.447.  The European Union is Iceland's most important trading partner and we are definitely one 
of the 55 WTO Members that has the EU as its to p trading partner. In 2014, around 76% of the 
value of our merchandise exports went to the EU; the number was 63% for our imports. I don't 
have a breakdown of Iceland's services trade with the EU for 2014 but the Union is by far our biggest trading partner when it comes to services. 
4.448.  Our relationship goes much deeper than mere trade. Last year, we celebrated the 20th 
anniversary of our full participation in the EU in ternal market, where we cooperate on a host of 
issues through the EEA Agreement or the Agreement on the European Economic Area. The agreement is the deepest and most comprehens ive agreement the European Union has ever 
concluded with third countries.  
4.449.  I would like to reiterate my Government's strong commitment to strengthening our 
relationship, not least in the field of trade.  
4.450.  Iceland appreciates the leading role played by the EU at the multilateral trading level. The 
EU is our natural ally on many issues in the WTO and a constructive force. We look forward to continue our excellent relations on a broad range of issues. I would like to thank Ambassador Pangratis and his team's massive contribution to the work of the WTO.  
4.451.  Let me now raise two points that require our attention.  
4.452.  The TTIP negotiations between the EU and the United States has the potential to impact all 
WTO Members in significant ways; even more for Members dependent on these two markets like 
Iceland. We will follow the negotiations closely and reiterate our wish to be consulted throughout 
the process. Given our close relations we would like to ask of the plans and ideas on accession of new members to the TTIP and even into the TTIP negotiations as such.  
4.453.  Secondly, we commend the reform on the Common Fisheries Policy especially in the 
market organization part thereof. The reforms, however, do not change the fact that the EU is one of the biggest subsidizers of fisheries in the world (if not the biggest). We urge you to refrain from introducing new subsidies under the auspices of the Common Fisheries Policy. They are not only 
harmful and distortive when it comes to trading but also lead to overexploitation of the common 
European fishing grounds as well as in the High Seas and Exclusive Economic Zones of other countries where the EU fleet is present. We would also like to draw your attention to the proposals 
of a group of Members of the WTO (Friends of Fish). They were tabled last week in the spirit of the 
so-called recalibrated approach and we hope for the support of the European Union. 
4.454.  Iceland would like to thank Angelos Pangratis for excellent cooperation. He has been a 
constructive contributor and a driving force in th e team of Permanent Representatives to the WTO. 
I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. 
4.455.  Finally I would like to make one point that I think is of a huge importance for all of us. 
Since the last TPR, the EU has had its hands full with the financial and sovereign debt crises. We 
are certainly no stranger to dealing with the effects of the financial crisis, and we follow the EU 
process very closely.  
4.456.  I think nothing is more important for th e EU itself and the rest of the world economy 
indeed than bringing the talks with Greece to a successful conclusion.  
4.457.  A failure can have grave impact in on  financial markets, growth, employment and 
international trade of course. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.458.  Solving this complex and sensitive crisis  sets the tone for the future and can lay the 
foundation for the European Union of the 21st century.  
4.459.  In 2008 over 90% of the Icelandic banking system melted down in less than a week and 
our debt-to-GDP ratio tripled in one year. The poli cy rates and inflation jumped to 18% for a while 
and unemployment rate soared compared to Icelan dic standards. Although some columnists and 
pundits now draw parallels between the situation of Iceland in 2008 and Greece today I don't think there are many common features between the two.  
4.460.  But I can say one thing from experience when we found our creditors looking at the 
negotiations with Iceland is a mere debt collection or an excel sheet exercise. 
4.461.  It is difficult to feel small and isolat ed in the international community with your own 
population feeling cornered and humiliated.  
4.462.  The people of Iceland feel for the Greek nation and wish it well. 
4.463.  We wish the European Union the best of luck. This exercise strikes at the heart of the 
single currency and of the very European project itself that is based on solidarity, humanity and 
peace. 
BARBADOS 4.464.  The European Union has successfully undertaken an advanced level of economic 
integration and is regarded as the world largest trading block. The EU and its member States 
account for 17% of world gross domestic product (GDP) and is also the world's largest market for inward and outward FDI flows and stocks. My delegation considers that this as testament to importance of the European Union as a major player in the global trading system and global 
economy. 
4.465.  Since its last review in 2013, the EU continued to be negatively impacted by effects of the 
global financial crisis. Although some EU member States have emerged from recession in 2013, 
growth has been characterized as low and fragile, stagnating in 2013 and expected to growth of 
1.3% in 2014. Unemployment rates continue to be  persistently high, investment has slowed, and 
fluctuations in inflation and deflation have been recorded. 
4.466.  In an effort to respond to challenges as well as enhance its competitiveness, the EU has 
embarked on the implementation of an Inve stment Plan, labour-market reforms and fiscal 
consolidation.   
4.467.  The Investment Plan is a three-year plan aimed at raising €315 billion to support the 
"strategic investments" in the real economy and small and medium sized enterprises. Fiscal 
consolidation reforms have been aimed at a reducing government expenditures and broadening the fiscal base in response to an increase in the level of national debt and failure by some Member 
States to meet fiscal targets. These were introduced to enhance economic governance through 
improved financial scrutiny, and efficient sanction against infractions. During the 2013–2014 period of review debt to GDP ratios remained relati vely high with debt to GDP ratios for the EU and 
the euro area expected to peak at 88% and 94.4%, respectively in 2014 and 2015.  
4.468.  Labour market reforms varied across EU member States and included decentralized wage 
bargaining, and more flexible wage arrangem ents and support measures for training, and 
education aimed at advancing productivity. The Secretariat report has stated that these reforms 
have started to reap benefits though an increase in employment over previous periods. We wish 
the European Union well in its reform processes and the achievement of its objectives. 
4.469.  Barbados has maintained a cordial, longstanding trade, political and cultural relationship 
with the European Union and its member States at the bilateral, regional and international level. 
4.470.  In 2008, Barbados along with other Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries and the EU 
signed the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement – a comprehensive reciprocal trade 
and development agreement. Barbados is implementing the provisions of the EPA both at the WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  national and regional level with the aim of increasing competitiveness, and increase foreign 
exchange earnings. 
4.471.  Barbados has signed double taxation treaties with the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, 
Malta, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spai n and the Czech Republic. Barbados has ratified 
bilateral investment treaties with the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy and has signed with 
Belgium and Luxemburg. 
4.472.  The EU remains a key trading partner for Barbados. However, as a small and vulnerable 
economy, Barbados' trade with the EU continues to  be concentrated in a few products and with a 
few EU member States. Traditionally, the United Kingdom has been the largest source market for 
Barbados' main revenue generator, tourism. However, the impact of the financial crisis on the EU member States resulted in depressed travel and spending which impacted negatively on tourism 
revenues from the United Kingdom and wider Europe between 2008 and 2014. Tourism arrivals 
from the United Kingdom started to rebound during the first quarter of 2015. 
4.473.  It has been noted that in both 2010 and 2012, the EU together with its member States 
were the largest contributors to Aid for Trade (AfT) and trade related assistance (TRA) to 
developing countries. The EU's contribution being recorded to be around 32% and 60%, 
respectively. We commend the European Union on its valuable contribution to increasing 
productive capacities and trade infrastructure of developing country Members. 
4.474.  The EU has reiterated its unwavering commi tment to the WTO and to the conclusion of the 
Doha Development Agenda (DDA). This is evidenced by the EU's participation in the various negotiating committees across the universe of the WTO negotiating areas. The EU has also stated 
its commitment to the completion of the post-B ali Work Programme. In this regard, Barbados 
looks forward to our continued interaction with th e EU in our pursuit of a transparent, inclusive 
and development centered conclusion to the DDA which is aimed at integrating small vulnerable 
economies like Barbados into the multilateral trading system.  
4.475.  Barbados registers its disappointment by the recent statement made by the EU 
Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs on the blacklisting certain 
jurisdictions. 
4.476.  We would wish to point out that the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and the 
Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes are the specialized 
bodies equipped to examine matters of transparen cy and compliance of these jurisdictions. They 
have done so and have found that some of these listed countries are even more transparent and 
cooperative than larger jurisdictions, some of whom are not mentioned in the blacklist. It is 
therefore very unfortunate that the analysis of the entity set up to evaluate transparency and 
compliance has been ignored and an independent ev aluation published, in contradiction of the 
analyses and findings of the organisation set up for the purpose. It is incomprehensible that that has been be done – and in such an untransparent  manner. In so doing the reputation of these 
jurisdictions has been damaged, most of which are small jurisdictions, dependent on financial 
services and the international business sector for growth and economic development. 
4.477.  My delegation would note that the Gl obal Forum on Transparency and Exchange of 
Information for Tax Purposes has distanced itself from this list.  
ZIMBABWE 
4.478.  We note that the EU has experienced low GDP growth during the review period partly due 
to the residual effects of the 2008 financial cris is. However, the EU has made some reforms to 
promote economic recovery in order to achieve balanced and sustainable growth.  
4.479.  The EU is the leading provider of Aid for Trade and continues to play a key role in the 
Multilateral Trading System. The trading bloc has maintained openness of its market although 
agriculture tariffs remain quite high. 
4.480.   The EU is Zimbabwe's second largest trading partner, however, the country's trade deficit 
continues to widen.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.481.  At regional level and within the ACP Region, the EU has signed a number of Economic 
Partnership Agreements to promote trade and development.  
4.482.  In 2009, the EU signed an interim Economic Partnership Agreement with members of the 
Eastern and Southern Africa states (ESA), na mely, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Seychelles and 
Mauritius. The interim EPA was implemented in Zimbabwe in 2012. 
4.483.  In 2014, the EU availed €3 million th rough ITC under the Trade and Private Sector 
Development Project for purposes of building the country's capacity to implement the Interim EPA. 
We greatly appreciate this support from the EU.  
4.484.  Whilst implementation of the Trade and Pr ivate Sector Development Project is currently 
underway, we have, however, observed that there is also need to avail funding that is targeted at 
the private sector in order to address trade-related infrastructure needs as well as supply-side 
constraints. This will improve productivity and co mpetitiveness of the productive sector. In this 
regard, we request the EU to consider availing additional funds to address these challenges. 
4.485.  We greatly appreciate the EU's effort to eliminate export subsidies. However, we are 
concerned that the EU's CAP reforms are not market  oriented and are thus resulting in some trade 
distorting effects on the global market. We call up on the EU to ensure that the CAP reforms do not 
distort trade. 
4.486.  The removal of EU sugar quotas is of great concern to us as this will negatively affect our 
export performance because of the resultant non predictability of viable sugar prices. 
4.487.  We are further concerned about the EU's trade restrictive measures that are being 
implemented in the context of the TBT and SPS measures and have become major barriers to 
trade. Our delegation looks forward to the elimin ation of these trade restrictive measures by the 
EU in order to promote market access for our exports. 
4.488.  The EU remains an important trading partner for Zimbabwe and we wish the trading bloc a 
successful 12th Trade Policy Review. 
DOMINICA  ON BEHALF  OF THE OECS 
4.489.  The EU and the member States of the OE CS share a long, historical, cordial and valued 
relationship. The EU is the OECS' 3rd most important trading partner. Much of this has been within 
the context of ACP-EU cooperation arrangements  under the LOMÉ and Cotonou Agreements and 
from 2008 the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.  
4.490.  There is much in the way of differences between the EU and the OECS. But we also share 
some commonalities.   
4.491.  The EU is one of the biggest economies an d trading entities in the world and the biggest 
source and destination for FDI flows. With that much weight in the global economy and in global 
trade, the EU plays a major and critical role in  the WTO and the multilateral trading system.   
4.492.  The OECS is on the other hand is on the other end of that spectrum. In that regard, 
therefore the OECS welcomes the EU's awareness an d recognition of the impact that its economy, 
trade, and policies can have on other countries particularly the smaller like the OECS, and of the 
responsibility that comes with it.   
4.493.  We note and welcome the assessment that the EU remains an open and transparent 
economy. We also note the importance the EU ascribes to the WTO and the multilateral trading 
system for advancing its trade policy and welcome its stated unwavering commitment to the 
successful conclusion of the DDA negotiations and for a positive outcome at the 10th Ministerial in Nairobi. The OECS as small stated also values the WTO and the MTS and looks forward for a 
successful conclusion of the DDA, one that is balanced and addresses the interests of all Members 
particularly the smallest and weakest.   WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  4.494.  We would like to commend the EU for the leadership that it has shown in the various 
aspects of the work of the WTO and look forward to that continued leadership as we seek to finalise the work programme and have a successful MC10. 
4.495.  We also note that the EU continues to be active in negotiating and concluding reciprocal 
trade agreements with a wide range of Members. The OECS members along with the other 
CARIFORUM members are in the process of impl ementing the Economic Partnership Agreement 
signed in 2008. This process has been a challenging one for the OECS as we seek to operationalize 
the potential and expected benefits in the agreemen t and to diversify our exports both in terms of 
the range of goods and services and in terms of EU members. 
4.496.  We have noted the EU's active involvement in the plurilateral negotiations taking place on 
the margins of the WTO. The OECS greatly values  the multilateral process in the WTO and the 
fundamental principles of the system including flex ibility and special and differential treatment for 
developing countries. The OECS is wary of any potential negative impact that plurilateral arrangements may have on the WTO and its key principles.  In that regard, we do note that the EU 
seeks to pay attention to ensuring that the plurilateral initiatives are open to all interested 
participants and that they remain as close as possible to the WTO. 
4.497.  The EU in its report expresses its co mmitment to trade and sustainable development a 
commitment also shared by the OECS. In that re gard, we commend the EU's for being the leading 
provider of Aid for Trade. The OECS member States continue to benefit from the EU's development assistance both at the national, OECS and CA RICOM level particularly through its EDF.  
4.498.  The OECS and the EU also share a commitment to deeper regional integration as a key tool 
and pathway for economic development. The OECS is in the process of establishing an economic 
union and of consolidating the architecture of regional integration towards that goal. The EU has been a significant supporter of these efforts and the OECS member States remain appreciative of 
this support and look forward to continued development cooperation in the future. 
NIGERIA 4.499.  We are not surprised that Trade Policy Review of the European Union usually attracts 
special attention and importance to the entire Membership, since EU is the biggest trading partner 
o f  m a n y  W T O  M e m b e r s ,  i n c l u d i n g  N i g e r i a .  T o  t h a t  e n d ,  N i g e r i a  w e l c o m e s  E U ’ s  f u r t h e r  T r a d e  liberalization and measures that are aimed at impl ementing the EU Trade Policy that would ensure 
transparency, openness and increased trade.  
4.500.  Nigeria is happy to note that the EU remains an open and transparent economy and, as 
one of the biggest economies and trading entities  in the world, plays a critical role in the 
multilateral trading system. Although each memb er State has varying degrees of competence in 
several areas that affect trade and investment, such as taxation, the EU has exclusive competence 
for trade and investment and the EU economy is highly integrated and functions as a single market. Although the EU has achieved a reasonable level of integration that is commendable and 
unprecedented, there are still few areas where harmonization still faced with some challenges. It is 
also important to note from the Secretariat report that the economic recovery remains fragile and there remain significant differences among the 28 member States in some policy areas, including direct taxation, state enterprises, fiscal policy, and government procurement, all of which affect 
trade and investment. It is also of concern that since the last Trade Policy Review in 2013, 
developments have continued to be dominated by low and fragile growth, with no increase in GDP in 2013 and 1.3% in 2014 as a result of the monetary crisis in the euro area. 
4.501.  Furthermore, the Secretariat report indicates that there are significant differences among 
the EU member States in the time and cost requir ed to import and export which is mainly due to 
differences in non-customs related factors, such as infrastructure, rather than customs procedures 
and requirements. It is also encouraging to note that the EU is implementing an electronic customs 
initiative that includes an automatic import/export system and single window, which will help to further reduce the time needed to process documentation.  
4.502.  Since the last review of the EU, the evolut ion of agricultural policy has continued with the 
adoption, in December 2013, of the basic regula tions for a comprehensive package of reforms, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  with most of the secondary regulations adopted in March 2014, and full application from 2015. 
However, up to the end of 2014, agricultural policy applied in the EU was essentially the same as outlined in the previous Secretariat report with transitional measures applying in 2014. Nigeria notes that the highest average tariff rates are for agricultural products and that all MFN tariff rates 
above 100% are ad valorem  equivalents relating to agricultural goods. Could the EU explain the 
reason for maintaining the high level of tariff protection for agricultural products? 
4.503.  The EU Regulation (EU) No. 1025/2012 establishes rules for cooperation between 
European standardization organizations, national  standardization bodies, member States, and the 
Commission. It also sets out rules for the establishment of European standards and European standardization deliverables for products and services, the identification of ICT technical specifications eligible for referencing, the financing of European standardization, and stakeholder 
participation in European standardization. In this context, Nigeria would like to know how the EU 
ensures consistency in the application of the rules in all its member States. 
4.504.  Nigeria attaches great importance to our bilateral trade relations with the European Union, 
which have been progressively expanding over the years through several initiatives on issues of 
mutual interest and the friendship of our peoples. The relations has been characterized by cooperation and trust between our leaders, and we look forward to our countries making a strong 
steady progress in addressing the important issues that would make the world a better and more 
secure place to live and for businesses to thrive. Nigeria along with other countries in the ECOWAS sub-region have concluded the negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) with 
the European Union in order not only to deepen the existing level of cooperation but to establish a 
mutually beneficial trading arrangement that is consistent with our economic interest and levels of 
development. We therefore, continue to look forward to an enduring partnership with the EU that is geared towards assisting Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries to deepen their regional 
integration initiatives, including seamless implementation of the new common external tariffs 
(CET) as well as successfully address the develo pment challenges. However, the EU’s barriers to 
our agricultural exports remain a significant concern, both with respect to high tariff protection and 
non-tariff barriers, including sanitary and pyhtos anitary measures that are based on science and 
risk assessment and technical regulations.  
4.505.  Before concluding, my delegation would like to briefly highlight the following. First, the EU 
promotes a trade policy that aims at ensuring reliable, transparent and enforceable trade rules 
that foster sustainable growth and development and remains a vital pillar of the WTO and the 
multilateral trading system; second, that the EU attaches the utmost importance to the preparation of a post-Bali work programme that puts the WTO on a credible path toward the 
conclusion of the Doha Round and that outcomes are needed in all areas of the DDA 
mandate-agriculture, NAMA, services, TRIPS, rules and development; third, ensuring that plurilateral initiatives are open to all interested participants, and that they remain as close as 
possible to WTO; fourth, the EU continues to be the world’s biggest trade block, with more than 
17% of the world’s GDP in 2013 (€13 185.8 billion); sixth, the EU should be commended for the high number of duty free tariff lines and its relati vely low average tariff, although some sectors 
continue to be protected by high tariffs, for example, tariffs for agricultural products entering the 
EU remains significantly higher than for non-agricultural products; seventh, the EU is one of the 
key active players working towards an ambitious and open trade in services Agreement (TISA) with the expectation that once critical mass of participants is reached, will be multilateralized; 
eight, the EU is promoting economic growth and jo b creation be engaging in bilateral negotiations 
with its industrialized and emerging trade partners; and also conclude Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in parallel with some regions and given its place in the global trading system, 
the EU’s regional and bilateral negotiations have the potential to shape global trading rules; ninth, 
the EU is both the world’s leading host and source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); and tenth, the EU and its members States are among the leading providers for Aid for Trade, which is an integral part of the EU development assistance as well as the EU’s being the world’s leading 
providers of trade facilitation support. 
4.506.  Finally, Nigeria would like to acknowledge the critical role played by the EU in the 
multilateral trading system. In that regard, we wish to commend the important role being played 
by Ambassador Angelos Pangratis and his colleagues here in Geneva. It is our expectation that the 
EU would continue to provide the necessary leadership that would lead to a successful outcome at MC10 in Nairobi.   WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  NICARAGUA 
4.507.  Nicaragua observa que la política comercial de la Unión europea continúa encaminada a 
reducir o eliminar gradualmente los obstáculos al comercio internacional, contribuir al desarrollo sostenible y aprovechar el comercio como un importante elemento para lograr el crecimiento de la 
economía de sus Estados miembros y coadyuvar a la creación de empleo y productividad. Esto 
demuestra el hecho de que la UE continúa siendo el mayor bloque comercial del mundo, registrando un aumento de su comercio global.  
4.508.  En el período objeto de examen, se observa que la UE también ha continuado con 
actividades legislativas encaminadas a fortalecer la estructura jurídica de la Unión europea y su marco institucional, entre otras iniciativas. Sin embargo, mi delegación espera que la aplicación de estas iniciativas no afecten las exportaciones de los principales productos en el mercado de la 
Unión europea. 
4.509.  Nicaragua asigna una enorme importancia las relaciones comerciales con un bloque 
económico y comercial tan importante como lo es la Unión europea. Ello se evidencia con la 
entrada en vigor de esta Acuerdo el 1° de agosto 2013.   
4.510.  Las exportaciones de Nicaragua con destino a la Unión europea en el 2014 totalizaron 
325.47 millones de dólares EE.UU., en  tanto que las importaciones provenientes de los países de 
la Unión europea alcanzaron 326.87 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el mismo período. 
4.511.  Históricamente, los Estados miembros de la Unión europea se han mantenido como el 
quinto lugar de destino de las exportaciones totales de Nicaragua. En el año 2014, registraron una participación alrededor del 6,3% de las exportaciones totales nicaragüenses al mundo, con una 
ligera caída del 0,8% en comparación con el 2013, en un contexto de crisis económica y financiera 
en la Unión europea y considerando que el acuerdo de asociación entro en vigencia apenas en agosto del 2013. 
4.512.  Sin embargo, Nicaragua espera que la implementación del Acuerdo de Asociación 
contribuya en el mediano y largo plazo a incrementar las exportaciones nicaragüenses hacia la Unión europea, a fomentar las exportaciones de mercancías con mayor valor agregado, y a facilitar 
la diversificación de los intercambios, generando de esa manera más oportunidades para que 
Nicaragua se inserte en las cadenas productivas globales.  
4.513.  Por el lado de las inversiones, durante el período 2012-2014, Nicaragua recibió de los 
países de la Unión europea en concepto de Ingresos por Inversión Extranjera, un total de 
352.71 millones de dólares EE.UU. 
4.514.  Estas inversiones provinieron de once países de la UE, dentro los que se destacan las 
provenientes de España la cual representa para el 2014 el 62,3% de la inversión total proveniente 
de la UE, le sigue en importancia Alemania (21%) y Dinamarca (6,2%), estos tres países 
representaron el 89,5% del total invertido en Nicaragua por parte de los países miembros de la Unión Europea. 
4.515.  En cuanto al pilar de Cooperación del Acuerdo de Asociación, Nicaragua espera continuar 
beneficiándose de las herramientas de cooperación de la UE para facilitar la diversificación de los intercambios comerciales y la facilitación del comercio en general para una mejor inserción del país en la economía global.  
JAMAICA 
4.516.  The Government and Secretariat reports prepared for the EU’s twelfth Trade Policy Review 
show that the European Union remains firmly committed to advancing a robust trade and 
development agenda – both within the regional economic space and with its developing country 
partners. 
4.517.  Notwithstanding the much-publicised economic and financial crises within the Eurozone, 
the EU has, for the most part, been managing the effects of the global economic and financial 
recession in a mature and holistic manner, remaining true to its integrationist philosophy that WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  endeavours to leave none of its members behind. In this regard, the Commission’s response to its 
recent period of low to moderate economic growth; focusing on increased investment in areas such as infrastructure, is noteworthy and will, hope fully, bring positive results for the people of the 
Union. 
4.518.  The EU’s longstanding commitment to achieving development and poverty alleviation 
through trade is unquestioned. We take note of the number of multilateral, plurilateral and bilateral trade agreements that have been or are being negotiated by the EU. It is significant to 
note that those agreements being negotiated with LDCs and other developing countries all contain 
development-related components.   
4.519.  Jamaica shares strong historical and geographical ties with the EU as a collective entity 
and with many of its member countries. At the regional level, economic, trade, development, 
political and cultural partnerships have been forged within the context of the African, Caribbean 
and Pacific, EU-CARICOM and EU-CARIFORUM grou ps, and, more recently, the EU-CELAC group; 
and bilateral relations continue to be expanded in parallel.   
4.520.  As part of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of the larger ACP Group; Jamaica negotiated 
and signed the EU’s very first Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2008. The EPA is currently being implemented in Jamaica – with assistance from the EU for the execution of projects and 
programmes to support our EPA-implementation effort s. In addition, the first Five-year Review of 
the Agreement is currently underway in Jamaica and the wider CARIFORUM, with consultations involving government and industry stakeholders. 
4.521.  The EU is, undoubtedly, a very important trading partner for Jamaica, with a total of 
twenty seven (27) countries representing a comb ined population of 500 million. The accession of 
Croatia to the EPA will bring the number of countries to twenty-eight (28). 
4.522.  The Government of Jamaica has intensified its actions aimed at improving our ability to 
access the benefits from trading under the EPA. We  continue to press for enhanced technical and 
capacity-building support to improve our productive capacity in order to take greater advantage of the EPA. 
4.523.  One area of significant potential for Jamaica concerns the movement of persons including 
for the purposes of trade. Within the Caribbean Basin, a longstanding and important barrier to 
trade, especially trade in services, is that States  that are neighbours have few transportation links 
between them; requiring instead, persons from one territory to travel outside of the Region to 
connect with a neighbouring territory. Exacerbating this concern are EU visa regimes, which apply 
to territories within the Caribbean space. For example, if a trader from Jamaica wishes to travel to Martinique or Guadeloupe, which are within the same geographical space, he must apply for a 
Schengen Visa from a European State. 
4.524.  In this regard, we note that the Schengen Visa Waiver scheme has been extended to a 
number of CARIFORUM States to better enable them to benefit from the provisions of the EPA. The 
Government of Jamaica looks forward to this provision being extended to other CARIFORUM 
traders, including Jamaican nationals, in the near future. 
4.525.  Jamaica reiterates its deep concern about the recent publication, by several EU States, of 
so-called tax-avoidance blacklists, which cite a number of CARIFOURM countries as being 
non-tax-compliant. Aside from being reckless, this publication may serve to undermine the ability 
of CARIFORUM countries to benefit from the EPA as business entities and potential investors may become leery of these countries. The Government of Jamaica urges the EU to work with its 
member countries, to ascertain the rationale for listing the named countries on the blacklists, and 
more importantly, to clear the names and reputations of CARIFORUM States that have been maligned. The situation becomes even more comp e l l i n g  w h e n  w e  c o n s i d e r  t h a t  m a n y  o f  t h e  
affected States are already taking steps to address taxation and other regulatory issues, within the 
framework established by the OECD. The EU is itself a participant in that process. 
4.526.  It is undisputed that the EU is an important development partner for Jamaica at both the 
national and regional levels; in fact, the EU is our largest and most consistent source of grant-type 
assistance. Jamaica is, therefore, appreciative of the support that the EU has given over the years, WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  through instruments such as the National Indicative Programme (NIP), The Caribbean Regional 
Indicative Programme (CRIP), the Accompanying Measures for sugar and bananas, as well as resources received through intra-ACP projects and programmes. The EU’s support to Jamaica has further been aligned to our overall objective of poverty alleviation and achieving sustainable 
development. In addition, the EU has proven itse lf to be a lifeline in the aftermath of several 
natural disasters, which we have experienced as a nation, providing urgent and critical assistance to the country’s recovery efforts and ensuring that  Jamaicans could return to a state of normalcy 
and a sense of security, in the shortest possible time.  
4.527.  Jamaica is also appreciative of its engagement with individual EU member States, in the 
form of development assistance and partnerships, espe cially in light of the fact that many of these 
States have, themselves, faced and continue to face significant challenges, most notably due to 
the effects of the 2008 global financial and economic crises.  
4.528.  In the area of investment, while the European Investment Bank (EIB) remains an 
important institution with respect to financing investment projects in ACP countries, it is the 
investment flows from individual member States that are worthy of note. Of the total of US$490 
million worth of investment flows into Jamaica in 2012, US$429 million were from an EU member State. Significant investments have also been made by EU Member States in several areas of the 
Jamaican economy. 
4.529.  Jamaica commends the European Union for its strong commitment to multilateral trade 
and to a balanced, rules-based international trading system; and for its leadership role in trying to find solutions for an outcome in the Doha Development Round of negotiations. 
4.530.  We take note of the expressed commitment by the EU to defend the gains achieved at the 
9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, and to work toward a robust post-Bali Work Programme by July 2015 in time for the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi.   
4.531.  We also commend the EU for its expressed commitment to supporting the implementation, 
by developing countries, of the Trade Facilitation Agreement; including through support to the World Bank’s Trade Facilitation programme, and for aiming to maintain the same level of support 
for TF implementation over the next five years. Jamaica also notes, with appreciation, that the EU 
and its member States remain, collectively, the world's leading providers of Aid-for-Trade, accounting for around 32% of total aid for trade flows in 2012. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS 
AMBASSADOR  ANGELOS  PANGRATIS 
5.1.  Mr Chairman, dear colleagues, let me start by saying that I am glad to be here today for this 
second day of the EU TPR. Unfortunately, I missed the first day, this was not an easy decision but 
the referendum in Greece and what goes with it was an historic moment for Greece and for the EU and I felt that I needed to be there.  
5.2.  I would like first to express my appreciation for the constructive and positive spirit of 
Monday's discussions and for the thoughtful appr oach by yourself, Mr Chairman, by Discussant 
Ambassador Duque in his remarks on EU trade po licy, and then by almost 50 WTO Members who 
commented on the trade policy of the EU - a rather extraordinary number that indicates the 
importance and great interest that Members attach to the EU's economic, trade and investment 
policies. I would also like to thank the WTO Secret ariat for their support and my own colleagues in 
the EU team for their efforts in responding to the questions and comments by Members.  
5.3.  On a more personal note, I would like to thank all those colleagues form other Members who 
offered kind words in their statements to me, to the excellent team that I have been privileged to lead for the last few years and to our work here in Geneva.  
5.4.  On the TPR itself, as indicated on several occasions during this review, the EU is among the 
top three trade partners for the big majority of the WTO Members. It is thus not surprising that we have received such a significant number of questions from our partners – both before and well after the deadline, I must say - to which we have done our very best to respond. In fact, and to 
support this with numbers: we replied by 29 J une to the 873 questions received by the Members 
by the deadline (8 June) and we replied yesterday to the 400 questions received after the deadline until end of June. We will reply to the outstanding questions that arrived indeed very late before 
the review as well as to the additional follow-up questions received from some Members, within 
the deadline foreseen for this exercise.  
5.5.  As a general comment, let me assure you that the EU is well aware of its responsibility 
regarding its trade policies that has a direct impact on a big part of the WTO Members. At same 
time, looking at the statements made on Monday, I also see a considerable appreciation of the EU as an open and transparent partner that is commi tted to the WTO and to the multilateral trading 
system. Nevertheless, we have taken good note of the issues identified and raised by Members 
and my colleagues will address them comprehensively in a moment. 
5.6.  Before doing that, allow me to briefly make a comment on the situation in Greece that was 
also raised by a number of colleagues in their statements.  
5.7.  We have, of course, taken note of the concerns - and in some cases deep concern - 
expressed by many Members relating to developments in Greece and with respect to the euro zone. Given our overall economic size and source of import demand for many Members, we 
understand that any macroeconomic risk will always be monitored closely by our trading partners. 
5.8.  At this stage, and within the scope of our exercise here in the WTO, let me only make four 
brief points.  
5.9.  First, issues relating to the euro zone have no direct bearing from practical, operational and 
technical point of view on the functioning of th e EU as such and on the conduct of the Common 
Commercial Policy which is common to all 28 member States. 
5.10.  Second, we are confident that the financial stability of the euro zone is in any way and 
under all scenarios ensured. Obviously, the on-going developments could, potentially, represent a 
limited source of downside risk on our economic forecasts for growth and domestic demand, but it 
is simply premature to speculate on this. Our leaders are working intensively with the declared aim 
to reach a solution that will preserve the integrity and stability of the euro zone in its entirety.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.11.  Thirdly, it is important not to misunderstand what really happened during these last days in 
Greece itself. The following day after the referendum, leaders of the main political parties, representing more than 87% of the total electorate, reconfirmed without any ambiguity the well-known strong support of the Greek people to the EU, to the euro and to the common 
European future. It is important to appreciate th at the referendum does not mean at all rejection 
of the EU or the euro by the Greek population. It is an important foundation for the negotiations that are taking place now. This is an aspect of obvious and crucial importance that should not be 
misunderstood and it is an important foundation of the negotiations that are taking place right now 
between Greece and its creditors.  
5.12.  Finally, I invite you not to underestimate the ability of the EU to do what it consistently did 
all through its history when faced with crisis, which is to advance and improve its integration while 
dealing with these crises. Although the current situation is very profoundly challenging, the EU can 
still overcome this crisis by becoming stronger, better and more balanced. Things will evolve quickly, let's wait a few more days to see how it goes but I would invite you not to underestimate 
the ability of the EU to overcome, as I said, the crisis it meets. 
5.13.  Having said this, please let me now give the floor to my colleague, Mr Denis Redonnet, who 
will address in substance the impressive list of points raised on Monday in Members' statements.  
MR
 DENIS  REDONNET 
Introduction 5.14.  I would like to use my intervention and the time available to engage systematically with all 
the comments and issues raised in the oral statements made on Monday, bearing in mind the huge 
number of advance written questions we have receiv ed as well as follow-up questions received just 
yesterday evening. We will reply to all outstandin g questions within the deadline foreseen for this 
exercise.  
EU decision making processes 
5.15.  Several Members expressed some concerns on Monday on the perceived uneven 
implementation of EU legislation in member States in certain areas, or on some aspects of our 
regulatory practices. Let me be clear: the EU is not a unitary State and we operate within our 
specific institutional framework. This affects some areas more than others, like certain fiscal matters.  
5.16.  Having said this, the European Commission, in its role of Guardian of the EU treaties, wields 
robust instruments to ensure the proper application of EU law in the EU member States. 
Commission prepares own reports on the application of EU level technical regulations in the EU member States, examines any problem relating to their inconsistent application and ensures the 
appropriate follow-up, which can lead to the initiation of legal proceedings and ultimately financial 
sanctions on national Governments.  
5.17.  With respect to our regulatory developmen t processes, they are sometimes characterized as 
lengthy and complex. At the same time, however, often our partners call for more consultations of 
stakeholders and third countries (this was mentioned on Monday in the intervention by Japan in the area of data protection). Let me just say that we are convinced that the EU's legislative 
process is highly transparent. It gives today numerous possibilities for stakeholder to express their 
positions which is not the case yet in some WTO Members.  
5.18.  Still, I would like to stress the significance of the further steps that we are taking in this 
area, which we believe far from putting us "out of step", actually puts us at the forefront, in our 
view, of global regulatory best practices. I referred on Monday to the comprehensive "Better 
Regulation" package of reforms, which covers the entire policy cycle and which will boost openness 
and transparency in our decision-making processe s horizontally, generally, improve the quality of 
new laws through better impact assessments of draft legislation and amendments, and promote 
constant review of existing EU laws. These developments are naturally driven by the political and policy environment in which we operate in the EU, which is characterized by a high degree of democratic scrutiny and by strong engagement with civil society.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.19.  Finally, we have been encouraged in the context of this review by the recognition from 
many Members of our efforts to operate as much as possible as an integrated economic entity, including through facilitations at the border, which will reduce the time and the cost of importing goods for all our trade relationships.  
Agriculture 
5.20.  We are pleased that the reform process of the Common Agricultural Policy, undertaken over 
the last two decades, was acknowledged by our discussant and by many delegations. It is worth 
recalling in our view that the level of trade-distorting support in the EU has decreased 
tremendously over time and the use of market price support measures is actually minimal. 
Successive reforms of the CAP have increased the market orientation overall of our agriculture, and for the current period of 2014-2020, the CAP will continue along this path.  
5.21.  Therefore, we were surprised that a few interventions on Monday criticized the latest CAP 
reforms for not having been more than "box shifting" (from amber into the green box), stating also that EU farmers remained isolated from market signals and realities. We basically disagree 
with such view. The main direction of policy in recent years has been the decoupling of support 
which has given the incentive to farmers to produce to market needs, while at the same time providing them with a certain level of income su pport to ensure the provision of basic public 
goods.  
5.22.  The last CAP reform introduced a new architecture of direct payments, better targeted, 
more equitable and greener, while concluding the fu ll market orientation of the CAP by abolishing 
the last remaining production quotas (for instan ce, the end of the dairy quota in April 2015, the 
end of the sugar quota by 2017). 
5.23.  The direct payments will continue to repres ent the largest share of spending of the CAP and 
are fully in line with our WTO commitments.  
5.24.  We also took note of certain specific criticism of EU domestic support under our Rural 
Development policy, in particular that it would have important effects on productivity and trade competitiveness. I would like to stress that Rural Development payments in the EU are not related 
to production and have no or very little influence on farmers' production decisions. Rural 
Development policy addresses a broad range of environmental and socio-economic challenges in a very targeted way.  
5.25.  Some Members have also expressed concerns about the level and the structure of EU 
agricultural tariffs. First, I would like to reiterate that the EU is the world's largest importer of 
agricultural products, with imports exceeding €103 billion in 2014. Secondly, we note that such criticism has also come from some Members who, arguably, maintain themselves a high level of 
agricultural protection.  
5.26.  The EU only has a very limited number of tariff peaks which were accepted and bound as 
part of the Uruguay Round Agreement. Our non- ad valorem  tariffs are in our view fully transparent 
and predictable. Their simplification has been di scussed in the context of the DDA but without any 
concrete outcome yet. The EU has no plans to autonomously change our tariffs for agricultural products and the last CAP reforms have therefore not sought to cover tariffs. It is well known that our view is that any change will result from a successful conclusion to the DDA, which the EU is 
fully committed to. 
5.27.  As regards more specific concerns raised  by Mauritius and Zimbabwe about the end of the 
sugar quota (by 2017), I would like to recall that the end of the production quotas in the sugar 
sector is in itself the most important reform to ensure that EU farmers can clearly discern market 
signals.  
5.28.  As a consequence, EU prices are likely to be further in line with world prices.  
5.29.  We also noted some positive comments from some WTO Members like Australia and 
New Zealand related to the EU decision of removing the milk quota (April 2015). Indeed, this is another additional important step to ensure that EU agriculture sector is more market oriented. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.30.  In relation to cotton, I would like to resp ond to comment made by the delegation of Benin. 
As we all know, this issue is crucial for a number of LDCs. The EU already provides duty-free quota-free access to LDC imports and we do not grant any export subsidy. The EU has also reformed its domestic support to the sector elimin ating the trade distorting amber support– so this 
is clearly an area where we have sought to lead by example. 
5.31.  Finally on agriculture, many Members welc omed the fact that all export subsidy rates for 
agriculture products had been set at zero sinc e 2013. The EU's new Common Agricultural Policy 
provides very clearly that export subsidies cannot be used other than as an exceptional measure. 
The EU ensures that its policy will be fully in line with its international obligations and the Bali Declaration on export competition. The full phasing-out of export refunds could similarly only be part of the Single Undertaking and specifically need to respect the concept of parallelism within the 
Export Competition pillar of the DDA negotiations.  
SPS-TBT 5.32.  The EU believes that the use of good regulatory practices helps to avoid unnecessary 
obstacles to trade and ensures that legislation is not more trade restrictive than necessary.  
5.33.  As regards the proposed EU legislation on GMOs food and feed referred to by several 
Members on Monday, I would like to take the opportunity to clarify a number of points. 
5.34.  First of all, the proposal would not affect the EU procedure of authorization because GM food 
and feed will remained assessed by the European Food Safety Authority, based on harmonized science-based criteria, and they will continue to  be authorized following an EU decision of 
authorization. 
5.35.  The legislative proposal would only prov ide the possibility for the EU member States, 
wishing to do so, to opt out from the EU decision on authorization based on overriding reasons of public interest that are distinct from the assessm ent of risks to health and to the environment. 
Strict substantial conditions are foreseen in the proposal and, in our view, ensure full compatibility 
with EU law and with our international obligations; the measures adopted by member States shall be based on compelling grounds, not discriminatory and proportionate. And Members here have 
also noted that pending consideration of what is at this stage only a legislative proposal, we are 
indeed applying our current rules and it was noted that we have recently approved 19 pending applications.  
5.36.  More generally, the EU pays maximum attention that TBT and SPS measures do not create 
unnecessary obstacles to trade or disproportionate  burden for producers. We are convinced that 
our Regulations are based on all available inform ation, and are not more trade restrictive than 
necessary to fulfil their legitimate objectives. 
5.37.  Turning to SPS measures – as this was the focus of many comments on Monday - I would 
like to say that these are extensively harmonized within the EU and only very marginal areas are 
not harmonized in the EU. 
5.38.  In exceptional circumstances, EU member States can adopt provisional measures in the 
event of a potential risk, including when this risk cannot be fully quantified or its effects determined because of the insufficiency or inconclusive nature of the scientific data. Such measures are only maintained while the scientific uncertainty exists, and for a "reasonable period 
of time" as per the provisions of Article 5.7 of the SPS Agreement. 
5.39.  Contrary to what has been mentioned by some, EU SPS measures are taken on the basis of 
thorough risk analysis. In particular, maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticide residues, 
including import tolerances, are set on the basis of  a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety 
Authority (EFSA). In the EU, like in other third countries, the MRLs are based on the actual use of a pesticide. If a particular pesticide is not used in the EU, it would be unreasonable to request the 
EU or anybody to replace default MRLs for some other arbitrary value. So the rule is that when 
there are no authorized uses for a particular pesticide in the EU, the MRLs are fixed at the lowest analytical level – the level of determination (LOD) - to give traders a form of legal certainty.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.40.  In so doing, the EU avoids the trade disruptive "zero tolerance" approach that is used by 
other countries. An import tolerance can also be applied for – and granted by the EU - under the condition that there is no health risk for consumers and that the requested MRL is not higher than the one established in the third country in question.  
5.41.  A number of more specific concerns were also raised about ractopamine. Here the EU has a 
scientific justification for not following the Codex standard on ractopamine. As many Members here know, this standard was adopted on the basis of a very narrow majority, and after a fair amount of 
controversy. The EU has repeatedly stated that there are no grounds upon which to determine 
MRLs for ractopamine. The EU position is based on the EFSA opinion on ractopamine, which is available publicly on the organization's website. We have also replied in writing to a number of other specific points raised on Monday.  
5.42.  Finally, in response to Brazil's comments on  foot and mouth disease, the EU would like to 
reiterate its full support towards the provisions contained in Article 6 of the SPS Agreement on Regionalization. The EU would actually like to see the same level of commitment towards 
Regionalization apply when the EU tries to export to some third countries which continue to refuse 
the recognition of regionalization for EU exports of agriculture products. 
Trade defence 
5.43.  Trade defence is a policy area that again has attracted significant attention in this review 
both in writing and orally. As was already the case  in the previous review, the Secretariat's report 
confirms that the EU is actually a modest user of antidumping measures, particularly when their number is put in relation to our share in world imports. Also, the recent fairly sharp decline of our 
use of trade defence instruments – in particular the reduction by around half of the number of new 
antidumping investigations – was recognized by several Members on Monday.  
5.44.  When it comes to trade defence instruments, however, I would like to be very clear that 
protecting ourselves against unfair trade practices should as a matter of principle not be 
considered as protectionism. This being said, some Members reiterated on Monday a number of specific questions which they had already raised in writing in advance of our meeting. We have 
provided written explanations seeking to respond in details to these questions.  
5.45.  Several Members also asked us on Monday  about the pending process of modernisation of 
our trade defence instruments which is described in the Secretariat report in some depth. While this is again only a legislative proposal at this stage, not adopted piece of legislation, I can indicate 
that one of its central purposes is to improve tr ansparency in the use of trade defence instruments 
for all stakeholders.  
5.46.  As regards Russia's statement related to normal value calculation, let me just say here that 
these issues are currently subject to Dispute Settl ement Proceedings. The EU is confident that the 
approach that we are following in our investigations is in line with our international obligations and it would not be appropriate for us to comment furthe r on an ongoing case in the context of a TPR.  
5.47.  Regarding the specific concerns raised by Switzerland on Monday, I would wish to refer 
them to the written responses we gave to their advanced questions. Antidumping duties in our system are exclusively levied on products originating in the country targeted by the measures. The EU also applies specific rules to deal with instances of circumvention.  
5.48.  However, the imposition of antidumping me asures can only take place as a result of an 
investigation in our system. As clarified also in our written replies, the antidumping investigation is limited to the "product under investigation" or "product concerned" and not to the final product 
into which it may be an input. 
Other specific issues 5.49.  First, intellectual property rights. The discussant and several Members have pointed out the 
key role of innovation for EU growth and jobs; they referred to the €80 billion European horizon 
2020 programme and asked how the results of research would be treated. Let me assure you that WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  this programme establishes clear rules for the exploitation and dissemination of IPR and clearly 
acknowledges the need to ensure open access to research and data. 
5.50.  There have also been questions raised on the ongoing revision of the EU trademark 
legislation and the possibility to stop generic medicines in transit in the EU. Let me first clarify that 
this piece of legislation is under normal legislative procedure so the Commission cannot expand 
much on the content at this stage of legislative process. However, what I can say is that legislators have confirmed their commitment to guarantee smooth transit of generic medicines across the EU. 
Secondly, the revised legislation does not cover patents or designs. Only traders of goods bearing 
a sign which is an exact imitation of a trademar k granted in the EU are concerned by this. Once 
the legislation will be adopted, in any case the Commission will also ensure uniform application by national customs notably through issuance of detailed guidelines.  
5.51.  With respect to public procurement, the discussant and several Members stressed the 
positive developments that have taken place recently, in particular the objective of generalizing e-procurement, and commended the EU for the adop tion of new Directives that will increase 
transparency. 
5.52.  Certain concerns were raised on the new Di rectives, to which the EU replied in writing.  
5.53.  Let me therefore simply say the following. First, the reform has clearly broadened the 
categories of services under Public Procurement rules. 
5.54.  Second, under our rules the third countries undertakings are subject to exactly the same 
requirements as EU entities. Regarding SMEs participation in Public Procurement, the EU has no preference scheme for SMEs in place. Let me also  clarify that the new provision allowing for a 
division of tender procedures into lots aims at stimulating the participation of SMEs and certainly 
does not aim to introduce a preference (not a "salami slicing protectionism").  
5.55.  Third, some Members suggested that de facto participation by foreign firms to procurement 
in the EU remains low. This is, in our view, a partly distorted view, since indirect procurement by 
European affiliates of foreign companies is widespread, and our procurement markets are highly contestable. 
5.56.  Let me finally recall that the EU has taken extensive market access commitments at 
international level while third countries with no or lower levels of commitments have in recent years increased protection of their public procurement markets and resorted to measures such an "Buy National", offsets or technology transfer schemes etc.  
5.57.  Several Members referred to the fact that the EU is an important actor in the area of 
fisheries, not only in terms of trade (first importer in the world) but in terms of our overall level of support for the sector in the EU. Here, we were pleased to note that there was a general 
recognition of the 2013 reform of our Common Fisher ies Policy as a step in the right direction, 
towards greater sustainability and science based management of the resources. But I would also 
like to underline that the focus of our reforms in this area is not limited to support measures, but 
aims to ensure that all EU fishing activities - be it the reduction of unwanted catches or reduction 
or elimination of wasteful practices - are geared towards avoid overfishing. With respect to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, I would like to point out that the new rules adopted this 
year contain robust enforcement mechanisms in that they specifically stipulate that operators 
found in breach can be rendered inadmissible for EU financial support.  
5.58.  One Member made a statement on Monday in relation to a number of diplomatic measures 
reported in the Secretariat report. I refer the representative of the Russian Federation to our 
replies to their questions which we have provided in writing. I would like to take this opportunity to 
stress that in the adoption of these measures, the EU has duly taken account of our WTO obligations, and considers that the measures comply with these obligations, given that WTO rules 
provide for certain exceptions. I also recall - as reported by the Secretariat in its report - that our 
measures are published in the Official Journal of the EU. 
5.59.  The representative of Russia also made comments on the EU imports of nuclear fuels from 
Russia. Let me say that this issue has been the object of EU written replies which were sent WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  yesterday, and confirm that there are no trade restrictions against Russia or any other third 
country in this area. Incidentally, the numbers show that Russia's share of the EU enrichment market has actually increased to more than 40% in recent years. 
5.60.  Finally, on the questions related to the third energy package, I will provide a similar reply to 
an earlier issue on antidumping methodology: this is an issue which is subject to dispute 
settlement proceedings and it would therefore not be  appropriate to comment on it in the context 
of our TPR.  
Bilateral trade policy issues 
5.61.  Several Members made comments on the bilateral strand of our trade policy and, in 
particular, our larger preferential negotiations such as TTIP. The EU would first like to underline our commitment to pursue "high quality and cutting edge" FTAs, to quote Japan, that are fully 
compatible of course with our WTO obligations and complementary to the priority we attach to the 
development of the multilateral trading system.  
5.62.  These initiatives will be "WTO+" and perh aps more importantly they will be "WTO-beyond" 
in the sense of covering issues that are not presently falling under the scope of multilateral trade 
rules. In that sense, we do hope they can ultimately be, at some point in the future, a contribution to deliberations in this Organization. Moreover, we believe - and some economists estimate - that 
our preferential agreements can produce positive spill-over effects for third country partners, 
notably through the non-tariff component of these agreements, and that the risks of trade diversion or preference erosion for the poorest and most vulnerable WTO Members remain very limited due to the respective structures of trade involved.  
5.63.  In the same way that our own European internal integration did not lead to a "Fortress 
Europe", we are strongly committed that deep integrative initiative with other large Members on a preferential basis will not lead to a scattering of  the global level playing field. I would add that 
these initiatives are pursued, on the EU side, with a large degree of general and public 
transparency, and we encourage Members to enter in to policy dialogue with us using our various 
fora of cooperation, in the manner for example that we have responded to calls for consultations 
over TTIP negotiations from our ACP partners under the formal framework of the Cotonou 
Agreement. These very large prefer ential agreements are of course negotiated on a bilateral basis. 
Ultimately, however, there might be a need to reflect on whether these could become platforms able to interact with countries capable of meeting their high standards, on a case by case basis. I 
have certainly noted the views expressed by certain Members on this particular question.  
Trade and development 5.64.  Before I conclude, let me now turn to the trade and development nexus which is so 
fundamental to our Organization. Many of you ac knowledged the positive contribution which the 
EU strives to make in this area. I can confirm that the intrinsic link between trade and development policy will remain a prominent feature of the revised Trade Strategy which the 
European Commission will adopt in the fall.  
5.65.  Several delegations, notably from developing and least-developed countries, recalled that 
the EU had been and was at the forefront of the collective efforts to make good on the commitments taken vis-à-vis LDCs to provide duty-free-quota-free market access for their 
exports. The EU is the largest market for LDC exports and our "Everything But Arms" initiative was 
quoted as a positive example to be followed by other major developed countries and we are thankful for these statements. To help less advanced countries grasp effectively the market access 
opportunities provided by such schemes, technical a ssistance is a necessary piece of the puzzle. In 
this regard, we also noted that many of you recognized the role played by the EU as well as the fact that we are the world's largest provider of Aid for Trade. Some delegates and Ambassadors 
from Latin American and ACP countries reminded us that the EU network of regional trade 
agreements respond to strategic, development-oriented considerations that go way beyond the mere protection of the EU trade interest. Pakistan, for example, also stressed the positive role played by our Generalized System of Preferences, in  the projection of a number of values linked to 
the promotion of human rights and sustainable development.  WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.66.  A number of questions were also raised on development-related matters, which I would not 
want to leave unanswered. Concerning the question  by Mauritius on the disbursement procedures 
of assistance for the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, let me first say that we 
appreciate the acknowledgment of our Aid for Tr ade effort. Indeed, the EU has allocated €400 
million to assist developing countries with the implementation of the TFA over the next five years, 
and this will be channelled through national or regional programmes under the European Development Fund. Although the EU is still finalizing the disbursement modalities with the relevant 
Regional Economic Organisations (such as COMESA  and SADC), we are confident that all LDCs 
requiring technical assistance will be sufficiently assisted. 
5.67.  Regarding the EU's GSP scheme, the delegati ons of Pakistan and Sri Lanka had questions on 
rules of origin. The last reform of the EU GSP Rules of Origin aimed primarily at answering 
concerns which had been raised by LDCs at the time. For example that 70% of non-originating 
material can be covered and that LDCs benefit from a certain comparative advantage since the single transformation criterion applies for sector of clothing and textiles. 
Conclusion 
5.68.  I realize that my statement today was very long. This was, however, unavoidable in view of 
the huge number of questions which had been raised on Monday. 
5.69.  In itself, the great level of interest which WTO Members have shown towards our trade 
policy review is something that we fundamentally welcome – even if this exercise represents, in capitals, a significant policy and resource undertaking. This exercise also reminds us that we need to be attentive to what we are hearing from the rest of the world, and this will help our internal 
reflection on a revised trade strategy wh ich the Commission will adopt in the fall.  
5.70.  Let me just say to conclude that many of you commended the EU on Monday for 
maintaining an overall open and transparent econ omic stance. I can assure the Membership that 
this is here to stay, for fundamental underlying reasons: we have a strategic, long term interest in 
market openness since 90% of future growth wi ll be generated outside of our borders; we 
increasingly need to import to export – and our trade policy recognizes that – so we have every 
interest to offer more in order to get more in ou r trade relations; and we can increasingly reap the 
benefits externally of sustained reform processes that we undertake at home.  
5.71.  We are of course willing to address further comments and questions that Members may still 
have today. 
DISCUSSANT 
5.72.  En primer lugar quiero darle la bienvenida a este examen al Embajador Pangratis y 
agradecer sus palabras introductorias, resaltando la conciencia que tiene sobre la importancia de 
la UE para los Miembros de esta Organización. 
5.73.  Esta mañana trataré brevemente algunos de los principales puntos que se han planteado en 
este examen de las políticas comerciales. Quiero dar las gracias al Señor Redonnet por las 
comprehensivas observaciones y comentarios que ac aba de formular, así como el amplio esfuerzo 
por dar respuesta a la mayoría de las inquietudes presentadas durante estos dos días.  
5.74.  En primer lugar, destaco que gran part e de las delegaciones que han intervenido han 
resaltado el rol de la Unión Europea como la economía más grande del mundo en su conjunto, 
como uno de los principales agentes en materia de comercio e inversión, como socio comercial 
clave y como líder en materia de ayuda para el comercio. 
5.75.  Por todo esto, es clara su importancia y relevancia para el sistema multilateral de comercio. 
Dicha importancia se refleja en dos esferas. Por una parte, el interés de los Miembros por conocer 
sus reformas y avances hacia la consolidación de su mercado interno y su proceso de integración económica. Por otra, la importancia que atribuyen a la estabilidad macroeconómica, dada la 
relevancia de su mercado para sus socios comerciales. Algunos Miembros han hecho mención a 
esta última indicando sus preocupaciones por la incertidumbre generada por las dificultades que en estos días ocupan los titulares de prensa. Por esta razón, agradecemos los comentarios y WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  reflexiones que hizo esta mañana el Embajador Pangratis sobre la situación de Grecia en la actual 
coyuntura de la Unión Europea. 
5.76.  Si bien en general hemos escuchado comentarios positivos en torno a su evolución reciente, 
algunas preocupaciones han sido expresadas por los Miembros, que vale la pena recordar. El 
ámbito de sus políticas agrícolas ha sido un tema recurrente en las intervenciones. Aquí 
encontramos llamados en materia de acceso a mercados, no solo a reducir sus niveles de protección sino a trabajar con miras a una simplificación de sus aranceles.  . 
5.77.  Es de anotar el reconocimiento de los Miembros a las reformas que se vienen haciendo en 
materia de ayuda interna, aunque varios han señalado sus inquietudes por el elevado nivel que aún mantiene, indicando a su vez que se ha tratado solo de un movimiento entre compartimentos. Estas preocupaciones implican que se deberá se guir monitoreando los efectos de esta ayuda 
agregada sobre el comercio. Escuchamos a su vez menciones destacando los avances en materia 
de subsidios a la exportación - pero también la importancia de consolidarlos.   
5.78.  Varias delegaciones resaltaron algunos avances y propuestas en materia de regulación de 
servicios, como en el caso de las telecomunicaciones y los servicios financieros, e instaron a la UE 
a continuar en una senda de apertura y armonización interna. 
5.79.  Varios de estos temas tendrán avances en la dirección correcta si logramos concluir las 
negociaciones de la Ronda Doha. Como mencioné el primer día, este es un año importante para la 
OMC y tenemos el reto de mostrar resultados concretos para Nairobi. Muchos a su vez han 
enfatizado la importancia del liderazgo de la UE  en los trabajos que adelantamos en esta casa. 
Será necesario el esfuerzo de todos, incluida la UE, si queremos lograr progresos en estos asuntos, 
así como en las demás áreas de la Ronda.  
5.80.  También se han planteado diversas cuestiones específicas. Muchos han mencionado 
preocupaciones sobre la necesidad de asegurar que las regulaciones en materia sanitaria y de 
normas técnicas se basen en estudios científicos, análisis de riesgo y estándares internacionales y 
aseguren condiciones de transparencia y predictibilidad. En particular, varios hicieron preguntas y mostraron su preocupación por la reciente propuesta de regulación sobre OGMs. 
5.81.  Hay un reconocimiento generalizado a las reformas que se viene haciendo en materia de 
Compas Públicas y Facilitación del Comercio. Se ha señalado el gran reto que representa el tema de las diferentes competencias entre la Comisión y los Estados miembros. La preocupación expresada por varios es que es necesario asegurar no solo la armonización de reglas, sino la 
consistencia en la aplicación de las mismas. 
5.82.  No puedo dejar de lado la mención realizada por algunos países en desarrollo y en especial 
por los PMAs que intervinieron, que resaltaron el importante papel de la ayuda para el comercio 
que ofrece la UE. Igualmente, sobre las solicitudes que le han formulado para mejorar el acceso a 
su mercado, en cuestiones como la revisión de las reglas de origen aplicables en sus esquemas preferenciales.   
5.83.  Llamo la atención en todo caso sobre la muy completa información adicional que ha 
proporcionado esta mañana la UE acerca de much as de las cuestiones que acabo de mencionar, 
así como la que ha sido suministrada en sus respuestas por escrito, que estoy seguro los Miembros estudiarán en detalle. 
5.84.  No puedo dejar de aprovechar la ocasión para expresar unas pocas palabras de 
reconocimiento a Angelos Pangratis. Su liderazgo y actitud constructiva fue mencionado explícitamente por muchas delegaciones que intervinieron el día lunes. En lo personal, le 
agradezco su amistad y apoyo en el tiempo que lle vo en Ginebra. Le deseo muchos éxitos en sus 
actividades cuando deje esta ciudad y confío en  que volveremos a encontrarnos en un futuro.  
5.85.  Por último, quiero expresar nuevamente mi agradecimiento por haberme concedido el honor 
de participar como ponente en este ejercicio; a la UE por su participación constructiva y por el 
gran esfuerzo realizado por dar respuesta al amplio número de preguntas recibidas; a la Secretaría por los trabajos de preparación de este exam en; así como a todas las delegaciones que han 
contribuido a este interesante debate. Con esto, concluyo mi intervención. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  JAPAN 
5.86.  First of all, let me express my appreciation  to the EU delegation for providing us with an 
informative presentation regarding our concerns. We  would also like to extend our gratitude for 
the insightful remarks from the discussant. 
5.87.  Japan has submitted three follow-up questions in written form regarding customs 
procedures and government procurement, mainly for the explanation on specific measures to ensure uniform classification in the Union, on how the EU essential requirements imposed by the 
EU legislation, and clarification of the EU's view on Passenger Name Record (PNR) in relation with 
the implementation of efficient control at the bord er, in particular over passengers and the goods 
they carry. 
5.88.  We are looking forward to receiving the an swers to these questions in due course. Japan is 
willing to work closely with the EU for future di scussions in the WTO. We congratulate the EU for 
its success in this TPR. 
CHINA 
5.89.  China appreciates the detailed response ma de by the EU, especially  the clarification and 
update of the situation in Greece given by H.E. Ambassador Pangratis. China sincerely hopes that the EU could weather this process for a better future and we again thank the discussant for his 
insightful remarks. China commends the reiteration made by the EU today and on Monday to have 
the WTO and the multilateral trading system as the centerpiece of its trade policy. And we are happy to notice that the EU is accelerating its domestic ratification process of TFA and actively promoting Aid for Trade activities. While recalling  the fact that the idea for a Bali-package was 
actually incubated at the Ambassador's Retreat that Honourable Ambassador Pangratis personally 
organized in his hometown Corfu Island, we hope that the EU could join hands with other WTO Members for satisfactory outcomes at the MC10 in Nairobi, because at this critical juncture, the 
commitment of and leadership by the EU, which as an original Member of the WTO and the world's 
biggest trading block in this Organization is  more important than ever, not only for a 
long-expected successful conclusion of this ro und of negotiation, but also for keeping this 
Organization at the center stage of future international economic and trade rule-making, so 
whished by the EU and all of us here in this room. 
5.90.  Meanwhile, China looks forward to advancing the negotiations of ITA expansion and the EGA 
with EU and other participants under framework of the WTO. 
5.91.  To conclude, we would like to thank the EU delegation for their replies and hope the 
concerns we raised could be seriously deliberated and properly handled before the next review. The day before yesterday, we submitted some addi tional questions based on the latest feedback 
from Beijing. We look forward to the answer  from the EU delegation within a month. 
UNITED
 STATES 
5.92.  The United States appreciates the seriousness with which the EU has approached this 
review, and we are grateful for the written answer s received in response to our questions. We 
have submitted a very few follow-up questions this morning. 
5.93.  ·We hope that the EU has found – as we did during our own TPR a few months ago – that 
this exercise continues to hold substantial value as an opportunity to listen and learn based on the 
perspectives of many Members of the WTO. 
5.94.  We found the EU's opening statement on Mo nday to represent a particularly thoughtful and 
complete set of perspectives on the EU's economic challenges and its priorities in the field of trade 
policy. And we further appreciate the additional views we have heard this morning from the EU, 
seeking to respond to themes raised on Monday.  
5.95.  In this regard, we very much appreciate Ambassador Pangratis' perspectives this morning 
on the situation in Greece. We also appreciate th e points raised by Denis, including on the Better 
Regulation Package which were ve ry welcomed. We would not say that the additional responses WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  today were in all cases totally persuasive – for example, on GMO's – but clearly we had a very 
serious and systematic approach to responding to the views expressed on Monday. Indeed, we 
have had something of a model to be emulated in this process. 
5.96.  As many Members will be aware simply by virtue of reading the newspapers, the bilateral 
process that we are engaged in through the TTIP ne gotiations is providing U.S. and EU negotiators 
with the challenge to confront some of the toughest issues in our trade relationship. It's often said that we've already dealt with the easy stuff, what we have left in seeking to achieve the full 
potential of our commercial relationship, is all the more difficult points. 
5.97.  Fortunately, the maturity of our relationsh ip, the political commitment of our leaders, and 
the confidence with which we approach our interactions help us to navigate these sometimes turbulent waters. 
5.98.  The point for this morning is that, for all of its occasional difficulty, the kind of deeply 
substantive engagement we have with our EU partners from Brussels and here in Geneva is truly unique in the universe of U.S. trade relations, and, for that reason, it is greatly valued. 
5.99.  ·If, here in Geneva, we too often have the feeling that we are all talking past each other, 
and really not engaging on true substance, the gr eat value of the U.S.-EU trade partnership is that 
there is no question that we are tackling issues that matter. 
5.100.  And this is the spirit of engagement that we should all be striving to achieve in our work 
here at the WTO. 
5.101.  Many thanks again to the EU team for its hard work these past days and weeks. TERRITOIRE
 DOUANIER  DISTINCT  DE TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN,  MATSU 
5.102.  Tout d'abord, le Territoire Douanier Distinct de Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu souhaite 
remercier la délégation de l'Union européenne sous la direction de Monsieur Denis Redonnet pour les réponses qu'elle a fournies à nos questions écrites, ainsi que pour sa contribution à la séance 
de ce matin et à l'exercice qui se déroule cette semaine et qui a été ́ préparé ́ depuis plusieurs mois. 
5.103.  C'était un excellent examen des politiques commerciales. 5.104.  Nous avons quelques questions complémentaires concernant les directives sur les marchés 
publics pour l'Union européenne que nous avons transmises au Secrétariat lundi 6 Juillet. Très 
brièvement, nous aurions voulu avoir de plus amples informations sur ces questions. 
5.105.  Concernant la crise Grecque, nous notons que l'Eurogroupe va discuter d'un nouveau 
programme de moyen terme de soutien à la Grèce. Nous continuons à encourager l'Union 
européenne et les 28 États membres à participer de manière constructive aux discussions au 
Sommet de la zone euro. 
5.106.  Enfin, pour terminer, le Territoire douanier distinct de Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu 
salue les efforts de la Mission permanente de l'Union européenne sous la direction de 
S.E. M. l'Ambassadeur Pangratis. Nous remercions également le présentateur, S.E. M. l'Ambassadeur Duque pour ses commentaires très pertinents.  
URUGUAY 
5.107.  Muchas gracias, Señor Presidente, por dejarnos intervenir una vez más. 5.108.  En esta oportunidad queremos brevemente hacer referencia a un asunto que fue 
mencionado por la delegación de la Unión europea en todas sus intervenciones y que tiene que ver 
con las negociaciones de acuerdos comerciales preferenciales. 
5.109.  En particular, nos gustaría destacar que para Uruguay la negociación entre el MERCOSUR y 
la UE es prioritaria y, en este sentido, se realizarán todos los esfuerzos para una conclusión exitosa 
de la misma. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  THE SECRETARIAT  (INFORMING  ON AN ONLINE  Q&A  PILOT  PROJECT) 
5.110.  Thank you Mr Chairman. I wanted to bring to the attention of the Trade Policy Review 
Body Members an IT project that has been developed by the Secretariat to manage online the questions and answers process in the context of the TPRs. 
5.111.  Last year, as some of you may know, some Members requested the Secretariat to explore 
the possibility of putting in place an IT tool which should facilitate the submission of written questions online and the replies to these questions also online. 
5.112.  At the moment, written questions are submitted by e-mail or fax. These questions are 
forwarded to Members by the Secretariat in ba tches. Then, the questions and the replies are 
consolidated in a Word document which is uploaded in the Members' website. This is a very long process and sometimes not very user friendly.  
5.113.  I am pleased to announce that we have fi nalized a prototype of an  online Q&A application 
so as to allow Members to ask their questions online and the Member under review to provide the replies also online.  
5.114.  While replicating the existing paper procedures, this new application will provide new 
functionalities to Members, in particular for the Member receiving and answering the questions. Then, the Member under review will be able, for instance, to automatically sort out the questions 
received by theme so as to assign them by relevant Ministries or Agencies in the capital.  
5.115.  The Member will also be able to compare the answers given to different Members on the 
same theme before validating them and sending them  for distribution. Or the Member will be able 
to assign internal deadlines with other Ministries and Agencies and to monitor these deadlines. 
And, of course, there are more useful tools built into this prototype that may become a sort of 
database of questions and answers.  
5.116.  But before launching this system, we would like to test it. We are, therefore, looking for a 
couple of Members to volunteer to do a test in para llel with the paper procedure. The plan is to do 
this test on the occasion of a review planned du ring the last part of the year. And, I am very 
happy to inform Members that just this morning I had the confirmation from Thailand who is 
volunteering to participate in this pilot test on the occasion of its Trade Policy Review at the end of 
the year. 
5.117.  If you are interested in participating in this test and asking questions online, please contact 
the Secretariat and we will organize for those volunteering to participate in the pilot test, 
demonstration sessions and, of course, communicate the relevant IT codes that will allow them to 
access this tool after the summer break. 
5.118.  We hope that this test w ill allow us to identify and correct  any potential loopholes and bugs 
in the prototype and to see if more options may be added to better satisfying the needs of the 
Members. I truly believe that this online system w ill greatly facilitate this part of our TPR process. 
MR
 DENIS  REDONNET 
5.119.  I just want to say the following things. First, I and the team very much appreciate the 
positive and encouraging statements that we have received over this review and, in particular, we t a k e  v e r y  s e r i o u s l y  t h e  c a l l  t h a t  h a v e  c o m e  f r o m  m a n y  o f  y o u  f o r  c o n t i n u i n g  o u r  l e v e l  o f  engagement in the Organization in different areas and dimensions. 
5.120.  Secondly, we will deal very thoroughly with the questions that we have received yesterday 
and today. Those questions will be answered within the appropriate deadline. 
5.121.  Thirdly, as far as the exercise is concerne d, we are also very encouraged and thankful by 
some of the comments that were made. We will maintain these efforts in the coming years. We 
believe this exercise is important and we want to take it and will continue to take it very seriously. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.122.  Because I have just said that, I need to an swer the points that were raised this morning on 
substance by the delegation of Jamaica.  
5.123.  On the question of visas, we have currently no plans for a possible change in this area. But 
I want to come back on the issue that was raised on the question of corporative tax jurisdictions. 
We understand this is an issue that is politically important for a number of Members. 
5.124.  This issue has been discussed bilaterally, at  ministerial level in the context of our ACP-EU 
framework of institutions. The issue is indeed about the publication by the Commission as part of 
its action plan for fair and effective taxation aimed at tackling tax avoidance and harmful tax 
regime. The publication of a list of third countries which are mostly identified by EU member States as non-corporative tax jurisdictions.  
5.125.  This pan-European list of third country non-corporative tax jurisdictions that we have 
published has not in itself constituted an EU assessment of third countries. The European 
Commission recognizes that many of the countries that are listed by our member States in this area are actually making significant efforts to  improve their tax transparency and we have 
indicated at a political level that this would be hi ghlighted by the European Union in the future. As 
this in an-going process, I would formally invite  the Members concerned on this issue to send to 
the members States and to the Commission any information useful to properly reflect the situation 
in these jurisdictions. 
5.126.  We are confident on the Commission side that these exchanges will result in a better, more 
productive dialogue between us and the countries co ncerned. And we believe that this will advance 
the Agenda for fair and more transparent corporate taxation, which is, of course, the issue which is 
somewhat at the interface with the trade and investment policy questions that we are concerned 
with and reviewing as part of this exercise. 
5.127.  Finally, concerning the pilot test, we volunteer.  
AMBASSADOR
 ANGELOS  PANGRATIS 
5.128.  I heard a lot of words of appreciation both for key aspects of the Trade Policy of the EU 
and also for our efforts to reply in depth to the questions that were raised. In conclusion, I want to 
underline only two points from our discussions: 
5.129.  First, I also heard considerable recognition for the reforms already undertaken by the EU. 
Such comments concerned Public Procurement and other areas and, particularly, our Common Agricultural Policy. In this respect, I have to underline something I have been repeating in this 
Organization constantly. The success of the WTO to create common rules and disciplines that 
shape practices of Members need to be measured not only directly on the basis of the results of the negotiation and the negotiation rounds but also from the extend that these common rules and 
disciplines shape the reform that take place in between negotiating rounds, particularly in areas 
like agricultural policies where changes of national practices require important reforms of national legislations. 
5.130.  Second, the EU trade policy projects an image of obvious dynamism from both the agenda 
of negotiations with our partners but also from important internal, autonomous reform in several areas. I believe that the TPR illustrated convincingly the commitment of the EU to openness and transparency for all these important processes, the genuine EU willingness to constantly improve 
transparency and better listen to inputs from domestic stockholders but also from negotiating 
partners.  
5.131.  Third, obviously, in these efforts to create a more coherent multilateral framework to trade 
policy, Nairobi is the key next step. I just want to underline that nobody in this room should have 
any doubt about the deep commitment of the EU to reach results in Nairobi. We are fully convinced that this is the step we cannot miss collectively. Nairobi should be the arriving point of a 
transformation process that started in the dark days for the multilateral negotiations of 
December 2011 and passed through Bali and needs now to move forward. So now, you will certainly see the EU as you expected, fully commit ted and contributing to the light outcome. And I 
am sure that this Organization can do this step with success. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  5.132.  I thank again the Members for their positive comments and, on behalf of the EU and my 
colleagues, I am very grateful to the Chair, to our discussant, to the Secretariat and to all the Members for their active participation. WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy Review of the Euro pean Union has given us a good opportunity to 
examine the trade, economic, and investment policies of the EU at an important time for it and the multilateral trading system. About 1,400 question s were submitted to the EU before the meeting 
from 31 Members and nearly 50 delegations in tervened on Monday, which highlights the 
importance attached to the EU's trade and investment policy. 
6.2.  Our discussion was greatly helped by the stat ements from the heads of the delegation of the 
EU, H.E. Ambassador Angelos Pangratis and Mr Deni s Redonnet, Director for WTO Legal Affairs and 
Trade in Goods Issues, DG Trade. We also benefited from the clear and insightful comments from our Discussant, H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Duque, Pe rmanent Representative of Colombia to the 
WTO, acting in his personal capacity. 
6.3.  As Mr Redonnet pointed out in his opening statement, the EU is the first or second biggest 
trading partner for the majority of WTO Member s. Therefore, the EU's trade and investment 
policies affect many other countries and its current economic and monetary health affects the 
world economy. I am sure everyone here hopes that the problems facing one member of the euro 
area will be resolved in the near future, not only because we want to see the EU in better health but also because that will mean better trading opportunities for other Members.  
6.4.  For several years now economic growth in  the EU has been slow and unemployment has 
remained high, but there are encouraging signs of recovery, with growth in 2015 now expected to 
be stronger than earlier estimates had suggested. Th is is partly due to the policy of the European 
Central Bank and lower oil prices. In the longer term, EU initiatives for strengthening of the 
Economic and Monetary Union, the Investment Plan for Europe, the Digital Single Market, and 
other measures will also help. However, economic performance varies considerably from one Member State to another and the problems in one member of the euro area have yet to be 
resolved. 
6.5.  As the biggest trading entity  in the world, the EU is a vital part of the multilateral trading 
system. Several delegations commended the EU for its active participation in both the monitoring 
and negotiating pillars of the WTO and they noted that its leadership is essential for a successful 
outcome to the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nair obi later this year. The EU was also commended 
for its support for Aid for Trade and the progress made towards ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
6.6.  As I pointed out in my introductory remarks on Monday, the EU has an open transparent 
economy. It functions as a single market with a common trade and investment regime that applies 
to all 28 member States with common customs procedures and an unprecedented degree of 
economic integration among the member States that make up the European Union. 
6.7.  Members recognized the importance to them  of trade with the EU and they noted that, in 
general, the EU has few restrictions to trade. However, some of them expressed concerns with 
some elements of the EU's trade and investment regimes or with policies that can affect trade and 
investment. 
6.8.  Several delegations noted that the EU has made considerable progress over the past two 
years in several areas affecting trade and investment. For example, customs procedures should be 
greatly simplified by the entry into force of the new customs code, which, along with the single 
window, and electronic procedures will reduce the time and cost of importing goods. 
6.9.  They also welcomed the reforms in the financial sector which are aimed at improving the 
stability of the financial system in the EU in general and at building banking union and a capital 
market union. The ongoing reforms in telecoms were also commended as the advantages of a 
single telecoms market and investment opportunities in the sector would benefit all economic 
operators in the EU and those doing business with them. 
6.10.  Members noted that the continuing expans ion of the EU's network of trade agreements 
could bring benefits to the EU and the other countries involved. However, some delegations expressed concerns that such agreements co uld reduce the benefits of existing trade WT/TPR/W/85 • European Union 
 
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  arrangements. Others expressed interest in concluding reciprocal trade agreements with the EU in 
cases where graduation from the EU's GSP, or GSP + arrangements could mean a loss of 
preferences. 
6.11.  Many other positive points were raised by delegations in their interventions and it is not 
possible to list each and every one of them. Equally, I am not going to mention every concern 
raised about the EU's trade policies. However, the points that were raised several times in Members' interventions included: tariff protection; trade remedies, TBT and SPS measures, 
government procurement; and subsidies for agriculture and fishing. 
6.12.  The simple average tariff for the EU is quite low but some sectors remain relatively highly 
protected, particularly agriculture and fisheries an d some fibre products. Furthermore, tariff peaks, 
tariff escalation, tariff quotas, and non-ad valorem tariffs applying to these areas add to the 
complexity of the tariff system. 
6.13.  On trade remedies, although the number of in vestigations has declined significantly, several 
delegations remain concerned about the investigative procedures and the application of existing 
measures. 
6.14.  While some delegations noted that harmonization of TBT and SPS measures in the EU could 
facilitate trade, they were concerned about seve ral aspects related to the development, adoption, 
and application of these measures. In particular the adoption of measures which are not based on 
a scientific assessment of risk for SPS measures. 
6.15.  Several delegations noted the recent amendments to the regime for government 
procurement in the EU but remain concerned about the ability of third suppliers, particularly small 
and medium sized enterprise from outside the EU  to access the government procurement market. 
6.16.  Although EU policy for agriculture and fisheries went through substantial reform over the 
past two years, delegations were still concerned about the level of subsidies and the level of 
border protection applied in both sectors. 
6.17.  In conclusion, the EU is a vital part of the multilateral trading system and it is a critically 
important trade and investment partner to many other WTO Members. Furthermore, despite 
several years of low growth and high unemployment it has remained open to trade and 
investment. Indeed, the growing network of trade agreements with other countries, the reforms in areas like agriculture and fisheries, and the EU's role in the DDA and the preparations for the 10th 
Ministerial Conference in Nairobi all indicate that it wants to improve trading opportunities – 
imports as well as exports. At the same time, the EU should do its utmost to resume sustainable 
and robust growth to the benefit of the world economy as well as to the EU itself. 
6.18.  In closing I would like to thank Ambassador Pangratis, Mr Redonnet, and the rest of the EU 
delegation, Ambassador Duque as discussant, and the delegations for their participation in 
successfully concluding the 12th Trade Policy Review of the EU. 
__________