WT/TPR/M/317  
12 October 2015  
(15-5299)  Page: 1/83  
Trade Policy Review Body 
6 and 8 July 2015  
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
EUROPEAN UNION 
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 2  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESEN TATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION  .............. 4  
3  STATEMENT BY TH E DISCUSSANT .............................................................................. 10  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 14  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND 
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 68  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 82  
 
 
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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy Review of the Europe an Union was held on 6 and 8 July 2015. The 
Chairperson H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (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 delegation from Brussels; colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; the representatives of the 
member States of the European Union; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Duque 
(Colombia). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Tr ade 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 alternative timeline for its TPR. Nearly 800 questions by the 
following delegations had been submitted in writing before the deadline of 5.30 pm on 8 June 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 following delegations 
submitted written questions after the deadline: 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. These questions had also been transmitted to the delegation of the European Union. 
1.4.  Economic developments in the EU continued 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.  WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  1.9.  There had been several notable developments in the EU over the past two years, including: 
 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 noted that, in their questions, delegations 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 remark s 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/M/317 • 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 morning by expressing my sincere 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 represented 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/M/317 • 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 anothe r 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/M/317 • 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 important 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 also 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/M/317 • 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 th e enforcement function embodied in the Dispute 
Settlement Mechanism. 
2.26.  My delegation wishes to stress that we attach 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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  2.30.  Concluding the DDA would not only strengthen 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 ambitiou s 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 record  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/M/317 • 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 very much looking forward to our exchanges during 
these two days. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  I am pleased and honoured to be the discussant for this, the 12th Trade Policy Review of the 
European Union in the European Year for Developm ent. For the review we have the excellent input 
prepared by the WTO Secretariat and the EU itself, in particular the full and detailed presentation 
by Mr Denis Redonnet. I extend a warm welcome to your delegation. 
3.2.  The EU is unquestionably the most ambitious integration project of our time and its 
importance goes beyond economic and trade-related matters. Evidence of this lies in the award of 
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for "the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for 
democracy and human rights" to use the words of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. It is with good reason that the EU motto is "United in diversity", clearly expressing the aim of the EU to work for peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by its members' underlying cultural 
diversity as exemplified by the 24 official languages within its borders. 
3.3.  Its importance in trade-related matters is obvious. Although the population of the EU 
amounts to around only 7% of the world total,  it accounts for over 15% of trade, excluding 
intra-Community trade. As the Commission states, in 2013 the EU as a whole was the world's 
highest-ranking exporter of goods and its second-ranking importer. 
Economic performance 
3.4.  The previous Trade Policy Review noted that the economic aspects of the review were difficult 
for the EU and that the large number of measures  that had been implemented to achieve more 
balanced, sustainable growth had had different effects on its various members. During the period under review here, we find that structural reforms and the EU's economic recovery are under way 
although various difficulties remain, growth is still restrained and unemployment continues to be 
high. 
3.5.  I must draw attention to the difficulties associated with the events of recent months and 
exacerbated in recent days concerning the situation in Greece. These events add a new dimension 
of uncertainty to the European Union's economic outlook. 
3.6.  Despite this, the outlook for the current year shows some grounds for optimism where 
growth is concerned based on factors such as the fa ll in oil prices, the depreciation of the euro and 
the European Central Bank's efforts in quantitative easing. Those facts should help to boost internal demand and improve working conditions, potentially helping to raise levels of investment, with additional support from the Investment Plan. 
3.7.  The fiscal outlook also appears to be improving as a result of the various efforts at fiscal 
consolidation: the deficit-to-GDP ratio fell to  2.9% in the EU in 2014 and is projected to 
reach 2% of GDP in 2016. The debt-to-GDP ratio would appear to have peaked last year and 
should begin to fall as growth picks up. In any event, the recovery is fragile. 
3.8.  One important factor is the recovery in investment, which was stagnant in 2014. To help in 
the recovery, the EU has implemented an Investment Plan for the next three years to support the 
real economy through investment in transport, energy and telecommunications networks 
infrastructure among other things. 
Trade as a factor in development and growth 3.9.  The previous review pointed to trade as a key factor for economic recovery, growth and 
generating employment. It should be noted that the aim of EU trade policy is for it to act as a 
driver of economic growth seen within a broader framework that also seeks to achieve development-related, social and environmental objectives. 
3.10.  International trade continues to be important within the EU. Its exports to the world have 
continued to grow, posting record figures in 2013 despite a fall in imports in the same year as a result of a weak internal demand, although it is anticipated that imports will recover as demand 
returns. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  3.11.  Despite a slight contraction, intra-regional trade continues to play a key role in the EU and 
is one of the most notable aspects of the integration process. Indeed, for almost every member of the EU, intra-regional trade is higher than extra-re gional trade. The situation is similar for trade in 
services, which accounts for over half of most member States' international transactions. 
Progress in European integration 
3.12.  The European Union is the most advanced laboratory for economic integration in the world 
and the consolidation of the single market is just one subject of great interest to Members, as 
reflected in the variety of questions received. Progress in this area also plays a substantial role in 
providing tools to help improve competitiveness, productivity and, ultimately, economic growth among its members. 
3.13.  Robert Schuman's assertion of 1950 is well-known: "Europe will not happen overnight, or as 
part of some grand design; it will happen as a result of practical steps". Reports show further 
practical steps towards EU integration both in terms of completing the common market in various areas and in adjusting to new developments such as  the digital economy. And all of this is taking 
place amid the complex system that allocates competencies between the Commission and the 
member States. 
3.14.  Although the spectrum of issues is very broad, I shall refer to a number of noteworthy in 
trade policy issues where progress has been made since the previous review: 
3.15.  On tariffs, the conditions identified during the previous Trade Policy Review still exist. 
The EU is generally an open market with a simple average applied tariff of 6.5% in 2014, but the average applied tariff for agricultural goods, at 14.6%, continues to be substantially higher than 
the 4.4% levied on non-agricultural goods. We note that there has been a slight fall in both cases 
but for agricultural goods this was a result of the reduction in non- ad valorem  tariff rates applied 
in view of rising prices. The difference between tariff levels is an issue that has been discussed in 
the past and is important to many Members. 
3.16.  The previous review pointed up significant differences between the member States in the 
time and costs of importing and exporting, which still exist. Hence the importance of the adoption 
of the Union Customs Code that will apply from May 2016. The Code seeks to streamline and 
facilitate trade and is in line with efforts made by the WTO in this matter, in which the EU was an active participant. Additionally, when taken together, there are initiatives such as the implementation of the single window already under way, the extension of the system of authorized 
economic operators and arrangements on mutual recognition constitute an important development 
both for the internal market and for third countries. 
3.17.  During the previous review changes in the new phase of the Common Agricultural Policy 
were announced for the period between 2014 and 2020. Given that the EU is the world's top 
exporter and importer of agricultural products, any change in its policies in this area could have significant impact in other countries, hence Members' interest. The reforms that were introduced 
were already in force by 2015, including the new system of direct payments that will gradually 
result in convergence in the level of aid for members while maintaining the trend towards a fall in amber box and blue box support and an increase in green box support. Also worthy of note is the fact that rates of subsidy for exports have been zero since 2013. 
3.18.  As implementation of the system has only recently begun, the next review will provide us 
with the opportunity to assess its performance. Note in any event that in its 2015 report "Going for Growth" the OECD recommends greater reductions in agricultural subsidies and in barriers to 
market access for third countries. 
3.19.  There has been progress in public procurement t oo with new directives that focus on greater 
transparency, publicity, streamlining and uniformity in procedures. The gradual introduction of 
compulsory use of electronic procurement in particular could result in significant savings and 
greater participation by tenderers. Although the types of procurement covered by European 
legislation are growing, a large proportion st ill occurs outside the legislative framework. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  3.20.  Significant progress has been made in financial services in terms of implementing reforms to 
increase security and mitigate risk in the sector. These include the single rulebook, greater transparency and protection for investors, tools to combat money laundering, and above all measures to complete the banking union and strengthen the euro. The challenge lies in 
implementing them and making them operational. 
3.21.  In terms of telecommunications, the "Connected  Continent" initiative, still under discussion, 
stands out. I note that only a few days ago provisional agreement was announced between the 
Presidency and the European Parliament on new rules to eliminate "roaming" charges from 
June 2017 and safeguard internet access by ensuring  equal treatment of all data traffic. Although 
the agreement is yet to be confirmed by members, it is a significant development. 
3.22.  As noted in the Secretariat report, the role knowledge-based industries and the intensive 
use of intellectual property rights is very important in the European Union economy. They account 
for around 39% of the economy and are very si gnificant generators of employment. Whilst EU 
businesses are leaders in various technological industries, the fall in the number of patent 
applications is a matter of concern. As a result, it has become more important to successfully 
implement the Horizon 2020 Programme on Research, Innovation and Stronger Ties between Researchers and Businesses. 
WTO participation 
3.23.  As I stated earlier, the EU continues to be  a key player in world trade. The internal 
developments it has undergone as it moves forward in the process of economic integration, and its approaches to other markets, especially its role here in Geneva, are important in establishing new 
trade disciplines. 
3.24.  It its report the EU attaches utmost importance to the WTO and has given a clear signal of 
support for the conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations with outcomes in all areas, and to the 
formulation of the work plan agreed in Bali. Given the current state of the work, I trust that the EU 
will continue to play a leadership role so that we can complete the task entrusted to us. We need a successful Ministerial Conference this year as we celebrate the 20
th anniversary of the founding of 
the WTO. 
3.25.  They have also played a significant role at the WTO in other endeavours such as the 
completion of the Agreement on Trade Facilitatio n (TFA), and the work under way to extend the 
Information Technology Agreement and the Agreement on Environmental Goods. It should be 
noted that the EU is one of the principal dono r countries in the implementation of the TFA. 
Ratification of the agreement by th e EU in time for Nairobi will undoubtedly be necessary to ensure 
the agreement's rapid entry into force. 
3.26.  It is worth pointing out, especially in the light of the past week, that together with its 
member States, the EU continues to be the world's largest provider of aid for trade. Finally, I should highlight the very active role it pl ays both in the ordinary work of the various 
WTO Councils and Committees as well as in the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism. 
Other trade negotiations 3.27.  The EU has opened many other trade areas during the period under review because it takes 
the view that the negotiation of new bilateral ag reements creates opportunities for trade, growth 
and employment. During the period under review, four new trade agreements entered into force 
(including the Association Agreement with Colombia and Peru, in force since 2013), negotiations were concluded with three partners, opened with a fourth, and a further eight sets of negotiations 
continued. As in the previous review, the outcome of its negotiations with Japan and the 
United States will be of great interest to Members because their impact may be significantly broader than just the bilateral sphere. 
3.28.  The EU is also involved in work to conclude  an Agreement on Trade in Services (TISA), 
a sector of huge importance to its economy and to the generation of employment given its position as the world's largest exporter and importer of services. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  Challenges and conclusions 
3.29.  Although the EU is the most advanced integrat ion scheme in the world there are still various 
areas where competence is shared with the member States. The regulatory variety ensuing from regulations, decisions and directives produces di fferent effects in differe nt member States, with 
directives presenting the greatest challenges because they must be transposed into national law 
by way of implementing acts. They therefore requ ire careful formulation to reduce the risks of 
non-uniform application, including the potential to affect intra-regional trade and trade with 
third countries. 
3.30.  By way of illustration, although the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
contains common provisions on investment, restrictions can vary depending on the place of incorporation of a business, especially in the services sector. The differences in the various 
taxation systems, rates of income and corporation tax, and in social security contributions for each 
member State also alter market conditions. These are two areas in which new developments are likely to lead to better operation of the single market. 
3.31.  They are not the only areas, of course. The EU still has a long way to go. The recently 
published "Five Presidents' report" states that "I n significant policy areas, such as goods and 
services, as well as in areas with untapped potential, such as energy, digital and capital markets, 
the Single Market is still incomplete." 
3.32.  Various courses of action are outlined that cover the OECD's priorities very well. First: it is 
necessary to continue to strengthen the functioning of the single market. Mobility of labour is a key factor in this, as is increasing harmonization in tax matters. Second: there must be progress in 
removing obstacles to investment and the free movement of capital while further consolidating the 
banking union and a common market for capital. 
3.33.  Third: it is necessary to improve the outlook for growth, which in turn involves working in 
fields such as energy and the digital economy. Also in this vein it will be necessary to apply 
policies to increase competition in transport, telecommunications, postal and other services more effectively. 
3.34.  I shall close with a quotation from the report in question: "A complete economic and 
monetary union is not an end in itself. It is a mean s to create a better and fair er life for all citizens, 
to prepare the Union for future global challenges and to enable each of its members to prosper." 
3.35.  I hope therefore that it will be possible to ov ercome the structural and cyclical challenges 
that are currently grabbing the headlines so that the Union can progress further as I am convinced 
that it benefits all Members of the WTO. 
3.36.  Once again I appreciate this opportunity to act as discussant and hope that these remarks 
contribute to a successful review. WT/TPR/M/317 • 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 further 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 ha s 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 participation 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 written qu estions 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, th ere 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/M/317 • 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 larges t 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 ambi tious 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 internal  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/M/317 • 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 questions and wish it well in its Trade Policy Review 
this week. 
MEXICO 4.25.  The EU is Mexico's third largest trading partner. Over the last 15 years, trade with the EU 
has risen by a factor of 3.5, reaching US$64,9 50 million in 2014. The EU is the second largest 
source of foreign direct investment in Mexico, with US$149,146 million of investment since 1999, or 38% of the total received by Mexico since that date. 
4.26.  Fifteen years on from the entry into forc e of our Free Trade Agreement in 2000, our 
principal bilateral priority is to instigate the process for opening negotiations this year to 
modernize the agreement, move towards greater political dialogue, deepen cooperation and strengthen trade and investment flows. 
4.27.  As the Secretariat Report notes, the fact that the EU is one of the largest economies and 
trading entities globally means it plays a crucial role in the multilateral trading system. In fact it is the region with the highest level of participation in global value chains (66%); it also has the 
highest share of foreign value added in export s (39%), well above the world average (28%). 
At just over one third of its GDP, trade in good s and services is a major plank of its economy. 
4.28.  We note with concern that since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2013 developments in 
the EU economy have continued to be dominated by low and fragile growth, the evolution of the 
monetary crisis in the euro area, together with high unemployment and stagnant investment. The 
various measures that the European Central Bank, the Commission and the member States have implemented to address these difficulties are to be commended. We are confident that the efforts 
made and reforms rolled out, including progress in implementing the single financial supervisory 
mechanism will help to rebalance fiscal and monetary policies and generate better conditions in which to achieve better international financial stability and put the Union back on the road to 
greater growth. 
4.29.  Accordingly it is encouraging to note that the World Bank growth forecasts have been 
revised upwards and that growth could reach 1.5%  this year and 1.7% in 2016, putting the Union 
at a level similar to that of 2011. It is expected that greater growth will revive demand for imports 
and result in a record current account surplus of 3.5% of GDP in 2015. 
4.30.  As noted in the Secretariat Report, on trade matters specifically the EU continues to be an 
open, transparent economy. We applaud the implem entation of an electronic customs initiative 
and a single window, both of which will contribute  to that openness. We hope that the EU will 
announce its ratification of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation by this coming December. 
4.31.  It is interesting to note that whereas in 200 6 less than a quarter of EU trade was conducted 
within the framework of free trade agreements, that fi gure will stand at two thirds of its trade once 
the negotiations it is currently conducting with the US and Japan have been concluded. This will 
mean that only a few countries will be trading with the EU on an MFN basis. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.32.  Agriculture continues to be the sector of greatest concern to us. Not only do agricultural 
products continue to enjoy a higher level of tariff protection with significant tariff peaks but the recent adoption of a package of measures affecting the agrifood chain could ultimately create trade barriers in this sector. Although the efforts to reform the common agricultural policy are to 
be commended and the anticipated reduction in dist ortions to production in the EU that may ensue 
are a cause for celebration, there is still a long way to go where reducing CAP-induced trade distortions is concerned. 
4.33.  Additionally, there has been significant progress in various service sectors such as 
telecommunications and financial services. We applaud these and other EU initiatives and achievements in recent years, including the EU's support for the commitment made within the G-20 to resist protectionism even in the midst of the difficulties it has been experiencing. 
4.34.  It remains only for me to thank the EU for its replies to the questions raised by Mexico and 
to note the active and constructive work done by the EU delegation under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Angelos Pangratis in the work of this Organization, including the negotiations in 
the Doha Round, an area where we hope to continue working very closely with the EU with a view 
to a successful conclusion in 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 tr ade 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 century 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 
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, Canada 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.    WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.41.  Second, with respect to reforms to maximi ze 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 forward 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 wind ow 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 w ill be the real beneficiar ies 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 
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-making 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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. 
SWITZERLAND 
4.57.  Owing to geographic and cultural proximity, and its economic and political weight, the 
28-member European Union (EU) is by far Switzerland's main trading partner. In 2014, over half of Swiss exports of goods and services were sent  to the European Union, and two thirds of its 
imports came from there. Switzerland is also  one of the European Union's most important 
partners, ranking fourth among its merchandise trade partners with €1 billion in commercial transactions per working day, and second for trade in services. Switzerland also ranks second among foreign investors in the European Union. 
4.58.  WTO rules and the 1972 Free-Trade Agreement form the basis for trade between 
Switzerland and the European Union. Additionally , the European Union and Switzerland have built 
a bilateral edifice consisting of nearly 120 bilateral agreements that provide extended and 
reciprocal access to their respective markets. These agreements are reflected in the close 
cooperation in non-economic spheres such as research, security, asylum and the environment. 
4.59.  Given the scope and intensity of our relations, the difficulties in the euro zone are likely to 
have major repercussions for Switzerland, including on trade. Although the economic situation is 
improving in most of the countries of the European Union, the uncertainty inherent in the difficult situation of Greece vis-à-vis  its creditors is considerable. These uncertainties are exerting further 
upward pressures on the Swiss franc as a safe cu rrency, affecting the global competitiveness of 
our businesses. 
4.60.  We would like to take this opportunity to focus on two points of concern to us. 
4.61.  First, Switzerland is concerned at the way in which the European Union's anti-dumping 
duties are levied on products of Swiss origin wh en the proportion of components that are subject 
to EU anti-dumping rules contained in them is negligible. Our understanding is that an extension of anti-dumping measures without a prior anti-dumping inquiry contravenes the 
WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement. The written question s we have submitted in this regard contain 
further information on several cases of concern to us. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.62.  Secondly, the European Union is pursuing a very ambitious programme of negotiations for 
preferential agreements, notably with the Unit ed States, Japan and certain large emerging 
economies including India, MERCOSUR and several South-East Asian countries. In particular, Switzerland has been following the TTIP negotiations with the United States very closely. 
Agreements between large trading partners entail a risk of exclusion for other partners. 
Accordingly we would be interested to know whether the European Union envisages measures to reduce that risk for third countries, both during the negotiations for the agreement and following 
its conclusion, for example by providing for the possibility of third-country accession to the 
agreement. 
4.63.  We welcome and appreciate the European Union's commitment to the multilateral trading 
system and in particular the very hard work do ne by its Permanent Representative to Geneva, 
Ambassador Pangratis and his team. Strong commitment on the part of the major players is 
crucial to driving negotiations forward at the WTO, particularly at this critical stage where the success of the Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi is not yet guaranteed. 
4.64.  To conclude, my delegation expresses its sincere thanks for the replies to its written 
questions; we are still studying them and they have already prompted a number of follow-up questions. Once again, we wish the European Union every success in its Trade Policy Review. 
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 ag reements 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. 
4.2  Trade Facilitation 
4.69.  We commend the EU's ongoing work in improv ing 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 offe red 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 majo r 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 interest 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.  
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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  COLOMBIA 
4.78.  The period covered by this review has seen a continuation of the structural reforms aimed at 
stimulating economic recovery in the European Union with results that vary across the member States. While the growth rate and internal demand have improved, some very significant 
challenges still remain in terms of generating employment, an area where some member States 
have succeeded better than others. 
4.79.  The difference in results across the 28 members brings important political challenges with it, 
as shown in recent days. In any event, the outlook appears positive this year in relation to growth, 
revival of demand, improvements in the fiscal situation and unemployment, particularly in light of the support afforded by the European Central Bank's monetary easing programme and the new Investment Plan for Europe. 
4.80.  It has been a testing period for the soundness of the European institutions and one 
important aspect worthy of attention is that despite the difficulties, the European Union continues to be an open economy that applies transparent rules and procedures. In making changes to trade 
policy during the period under review the EU did not resort to protectionism in response to the 
difficulties. 
4.81.  Furthermore, in the period under review the EU continued to be the world's largest trading 
bloc. Having a single trade policy and common legislation in most trade-related areas has helped 
ensure that trade plays a central role in its econom ic performance. In any event it should be noted 
that despite the increase in the value of its exports in 2013, the EU's share in world trade has continued the downward trend observed in the previous review and has shrunk from 15.8% 
in 2010 to 15% in 2013. 
4.82.  With regard to EU trade policy, we wish to highlight several important facts in the 
Secretariat Report: 
4.83.  There have been no significant changes in tariff matters. There continues to be a high level 
of protection for some sectors, particularly agriculture, which benefits from the support available under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), now significantly revised to include the roll-out of a 
new direct payments scheme, the removal of export  refunds and the gradual withdrawal of various 
quotas. This is one further step in a clear trend on the part of the EU to set aside aid instruments that have distorting effects on trade although we note that the levels of aid continue to be high. 
4.84.  While the EU's average tariff has not fallen, in practice the many efforts to negotiate new 
trade agreements have improved market access. During the period under review a large number 
of agreements were concluded and entered into  force, including the Association Agreement 
with Colombia and Peru in force since 2013. Other negotiations under way, especially with the 
United States, are of huge importance, especially because of the type of disciplines that could 
result. 
4.85.  In adopting new directives under the "Alignment  Package" together with other legislation, 
the process of harmonizing technical, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements has continued. 
It should be noted that within the WTO SPS Comm ittee, Members have expressed concern at some 
of the provisions adopted by the EU during the period, some are of special concern to Colombia, 
particularly the measures related to maximum levels of pesticide residues (criteria for the 
definition of endocrine disruptors) and the amendment to regulations on novel foods. 
4.86.  We note the progress in public procurement where reforms have been made to improve 
transparency and enforcement, and to streamline procedures. On intellectual property, we note 
that progress continues towards implementation of the unitary patent, and that work continues on 
trademarks and trade secrets, especially the Fr amework Programme for Research and Innovation, 
all of which are important developments given the importance of intellectual property rights to 
European Union businesses. 
4.87.  In terms of services, there have been severa l important developments during the period 
under review, particularly in telecommunications and financial services where regulatory changes have continued with a view to improving monetary and banking union. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.88.  In addition to the importance of its involvement in the Doha Round negotiations, we note 
the valuable role played by the EU at the WTO in other negotiations such as the extension of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA II) and in particular the Agreement on Trade Facilitation. 
4.89.  On the latter subject, we welcome the progress noted in the reports in terms of the 
streamlining and harmonization of customs procedures, the operation of the single window and the 
extension and deepening of the system for authoriz ed economic operators, all of which are areas 
contained in the Agreement on Trade Facilitation. We also note that the ratification process for the 
agreement is under way and trust that it will be ready for MC10, as this will help to ensure that it 
enters into force soon. 
4.90.  The EU is an important user of the dispute settl ement mechanism in all roles. In view of the 
backlog of cases currently in the system, now is a good time to recall the importance of rapid 
progress in negotiations to improve understanding, another area in which the EU will also have an 
important role to play. 
4.91.  A phrase used recently by the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, provides 
an interesting perspective on the challenges that the European Union will face in the future. 
In March this year, he said that his aim was "to act in the European interest, at a moment when Europe is being called into question. To address the issues that matter for citizens, and can bring 
Europe closer to its citizens. To build a stronger and more prosperous Europe, but also a more 
social and caring one, a 'fairer Europe', to reconc ile citizens not only with the European project, 
but also with themselves, and to make a real difference". 
4.92.  Indeed, the final challenge facing the diversity of economic structures within the bloc is to 
help all member States to achieve the common aim of greater well-being in European society. 
4.93.   In concluding my statement I must thank the European Union for its replies to our 
questions and wish them a successful trade policy review. 
SINGAPORE 
4.94.  Singapore and the EU enjoy longstanding bilateral 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 
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 international 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 certai n 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; WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  (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 contributions 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 
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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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, New 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 workin g 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 
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 population  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, WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 esta blishing 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, ultimate ly promoting the bilateral partnerships for peace, 
growth, reform and civilization. 
4.119.  Today, EU is the biggest trading partner and la rgest 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, alth ough 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. 
4.124.  Since the conclusion of the Treaty on Eu ropean 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 region al 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 regi sters 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 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 inform ation, 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 economic 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 polic y 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.  W e  e x p e c t  t h a t  o b l i g a t i o n s  o n  w h i c h  w e  a r e 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.  
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 tariffs 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.   WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 concerns 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 o pportunity 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 Ar ea (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.  
4.151.  We are finally seeing weak signs of economic 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 an d 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 also 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.  WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.154.  Norway and the EU both participate actively 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 th e 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 emphasis 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. 
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 player 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 
PERU 
4.167.  I am glad to be able to make a brief reference to history by noting that in January 1961 
Peru established diplomatic relations with what  was then the European Economic Community. Our 
ties with the European Union since then have deve loped in various forums such as the Rio Group, 
the Andean Community and in recent years within the framework of the Latin America and 
European Union Summits. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.168.  Additionally the bilateral consultation mechanism established in October 2009 has enabled 
us to further strengthen political dialogue. Bilateral relations have also been enriched through various meetings between holders of high office su ch as the visit by the President of the Republic, 
Ollanta Humala, in June 2012, and as part of  visits to Peru by the European Union's 
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and its Commissioner for Enterprise 
and Industry in January 2013 and by its Commissioner for Development in July 2014. 
4.169.  In September 2013 the President of the Republic , Mr Ollanta Humala, met the President of 
the European Commission in New York at the United Nations General Assembly and only a few 
days ago, on 10 June, the President of the Repu blic met the President of the European Council, 
Mr Donald Tusk, at the Summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the European Union (CELAC-EU) in Brussels which addressed various topics of bilateral 
interest enabling us to look ahead to a strategic partnership with the European Union. 
4.170.  This environment of continued political dialogue has been supplemented since 
1 March 2013 by the entry into force of the Mult iparty Trade Agreement between Peru, Colombia 
and the European Union that has given us preferential access for 99.3% of agricultural products 
and 100% of industrial products and has become an  important tool in boosting economic and trade 
relations. 
4.171.  Bilateral trade under this Agreement exceeded US$11.2 billion in 2014, with the 
European Union accounting for 14% of all Peru's trade in that year. It should be noted that 17% of Peru's total exports to the world are to the European Union and that the EU ranks third among Peru's destination markets. 
4.172.  In terms of investment, the European Union has become the chief source of foreign direct 
investment in Peru, accounting for 50% of all investment in several sectors of the economy including communications, mining, finance and energy. 
4.173.  All these overlapping interests go well beyond the trade aspect of our relations with the 
European Union. Accordingly please allow me, in a tangible demonstration of the excellent standard of our relations and the high level of mutual understanding between us, to point to the 
support we have received from the various European Council bodies for waiver of the Schengen 
visa for Peru; that support has helped to take this process forward and it is hoped that the waiver will enter into force in 2015 once the bilateral agreement has been signed and ratified. 
4.174.  Turning to the Secretariat Report in this Trade Policy Review I would note that the 
European Union continues to be an open and transparent economy and that its place as one of the 
world's largest economies and trading bodies gives it a key role in the multilateral trading system. Accordingly we welcome the European Union's repeated commitment to a successful conclusion to 
the Doha Development Round. 
4.175.  As noted in the Secretariat Report, since the last Trade Policy Review of the 
European Union in 2013, developments have contin ued to be dominated by low and fragile growth, 
and by the evolution of the monetary crisis in the euro area. Furthermore, unemployment remains 
high, investment has been stagnant, and inflatio n has slipped into deflation in some periods. 
4.176.  Despite macroeconomic and fiscal problems affecting some member States, overall the EU 
has open and transparent trade and investment re gimes, but although integration is increasing 
there are still significant differences across the 28 member States in some policy areas. Against 
that background we welcome the efforts that the authorities in the European Union and the member States are making to overcome these challenges. 
4.177.  Similarly, while recognizing that the Common Agricultural Policy reforms may have reduced 
production distortions in the European Union we would draw attention to the fact that total funding for agriculture and rural development will remain above €50 billion annually; we hope that the 
reforms will genuinely contribute to promoting agricultural trade within the framework of the rules 
and commitments underlying the multilateral trading system. 
4.178.  Peru's relations with the European Union are based on shared values and principles 
including democracy, the rule of law, human righ ts, as well as a convergence of positions in WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  political areas such as stability, freedom from social unrest, socially inclusive economic growth, 
climate change, and others, that allow us to look ahead to achieving greater cooperation between both parties. 
4.179.  I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation of the replies forwarded to 
us by the European Union and which we will pass on to our competent authorities for evaluation 
and follow-up and we look forward to the replie s to the additional questions we have raised. 
ARGENTINA 
4.180.  As a bloc, the EU ranks third among our trading partners and in 2014 accounted for 14.2% 
of our total exports and 17.3% of our total imports. The EU for its part is the chief foreign investor in Argentina with investments of US$41.086 billion in 2013. 
4.181.  In the period 2003-2011, bilateral trade with  the EU grew steadily, peaking in 2011 at 
US$25,768 million with a surplus for Argentina of US$2,539 million. However, since 2012 total 
trade has fallen considerably, standing at US$21,523 million in 2014. 
4.182.  In 2012 the trade balance with the EU became a deficit of US$336 million, reversing 
ten years of trade surpluses. In 2013 the deficit reached its lowest point at US$2,863 million when 
our exports to the EU fell by 9.7% while our imports from the EU rose by 11.3%. 
4.183.  In 2014, Argentine exports totalled US$10,230 million, 4.7% less than in 2013, following 
the virtual closure of the European market to Argentine biodiesel (13% of Argentine exports 
in 2012), because of the EU-imposed anti-dumping measure that Argentina is at present challenging before the WTO. 
4.184.  Our country appreciates the EU as a potential partner with whom trade relations could be 
developed further taking into account greater complementarity in agricultural, fishery, industrial 
products and even in advanced technologies such as those in the nuclear and satellite fields. Full potential in these areas has not been reached because of the ongoing protectionist policies and 
subsidies in the EU, among other reasons. 
4.185.  However we are optimistic that the agricultural negotiations in the Doha Round will finally 
agree to a withdrawal of export subsidies including disciplines on official support for export finance 
and on international food aid, as was proposed in the section on export competition in the 
Draft Modalities of 2008. We are also optimistic that the EU will draw on the 2008 Draft Modalities to reduce its internal aid to agriculture. 
4.186.  We are also concerned by subsidies to fisheries. We hope that the EU as a champion of 
multilateralism and the environment will robustly  address this concern and achieve an outcome 
that can be described as an important WTO contribution to trade and the environment. 
4.187.  In terms of market access for agricultural and industrial products we are concerned by the 
position maintained by the EU in the past, namely an asymmetry in outcomes in industry and 
agriculture. If asymmetry there must be, there should be greater trade liberalization in agriculture where tariff restrictions on imports are much greater and hamper the export of greater 
value-added products, and include very complex tariffs and special safeguards. 
4.188.  Despite this, because of its multilateral outlook we are optimistic that the EU can make an 
important contribution to the multilateral trading system in the Doha Round. 
4.189.  However, we are less optimistic where non-tariff restrictions on imports into the EU are 
concerned. Recent developments in the EU on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are just one 
example of the problems faced by our exporters as  is clear from the agendas of the Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade Committees. It is on these issues that we 
would call on the EU to make a greater effort because while a recurrent risk of non-tariff 
restrictions on imports remains, no negotiation on market access is likely to achieve its goal. The EU must take its decisions on the basis of th e science, in line with the standard practice in 
the WTO. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.190.  We are making these points on EU trade policy and its role in the Doha Round negotiations 
in the hope that they will contribute to a satisfactory conclusion of the Round in accordance with the Doha mandate that gave rise to it, while taking account of the development component in which agriculture must be the core. 
4.191.  To conclude, in reiterating our appreciation of this new opportunity to exchange 
information and ideas concerning the trade policies and practices of the EU we should like to draw attention once again to the importance of this ex ercise in transparency fr om every point of view 
and to wish the EU authorities success in this, the 12
th review of their trade policy. 
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 Union 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.  
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 migran ts 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 world'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 European 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  RUSSIAN  FEDERATION 
4.201.  The Russian delegation welcomes the 12th Trade 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 request 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. 
4.206.  Furthermore, I would like also to highligh t 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.  WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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, 
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.  Since its launch, one of the pillars of the great European Union project has been the 
pursuit of economic unity, with a single trade policy and common legislation on most trade and 
investment-related issues. We are closely following developments in the European economy, particularly in the euro zone, and hope for a prompt recovery in all States, particularly those that have been most affected by the monetary crisis and debt. We note that the EU's recovery from the 
global financial crisis has been slow and fragile, but that better indicators are anticipated this year 
and in the coming years. We are therefore confiden t that the uncertainty that has arisen in some 
of those States, especially in the last few days, w ill be resolved rapidly and that the crisis exit 
strategy will be satisfactory to all members. 
4.213.  Costa Rica recognizes the importance that the EU attaches to the WTO and to the 
multilateral trading system. International trade has played a crucial role as the main source of 
economic growth in the EU and it is a critical element in times of crisis. As the Secretariat Report 
notes, exports provided cushions for economic sl owdown and were a major pulling force of growth 
in the period 2010-2013. We appreciate the work an d leadership provided by the EU on topics of 
interest to this Organization such as the review of the Dispute Settlement Understanding, 
its efforts to achieve the Agreement on Trade Facilitation, and its commitment to other initiatives 
such as expansion of the Information Technology Agreement, and its interest in making progress in other areas such as the Agreement on Environmental Goods or the Agreement on Trade 
in Services (TISA) – and the fact that any progress made contributes to the multilateral 
trading system. The commitment shown for many years by the European Union and its member States to the Aid-for-Trade Programme should also be noted. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.214.  We welcome the entry into force in October 2013 of the trade pillar of the Association 
Agreement between the European Union and Central America. This fulfilled a long-standing desire to develop closer ties between the two regions. 
4.215.  The European Union ranks third among our trad ing partners behind the United States and 
the Central American Common Market; in 2014 it was the destination of 17.4% of our exports and 
accounted for 8% of our imports. Our total trade with the European Union has continued to grow steadily at an average rate of 6% per year over the last ten years, from US$1,955 million in 2004 
to US$3,383 million in 2014. 
4.216.  We acknowledge the openness and transparency of the EU's trade and investment regime. 
We note in particular the initiatives to facilitate trade such as the electronic customs initiative that includes an automatic import/export system and single window and the extension of the system 
for authorized economic operators. Moreover, we are following with interest the process of 
harmonizing standards and technical requirements that is under way in the EU and the trade impact of its technical regulations. 
4.217.  We have also been closely monitoring the reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy, 
which represent some progress towards promoting the establishment of a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system. Nonetheless, we note that the European agriculture sector remains 
highly protected: the total funding for agriculture and rural development will continue to be over 
€50 billion a year, and there is still scope to reduce and eliminate the distortions in this sphere. 
4.218.  We are also keenly following developments in the negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade 
Treaty between the EU and the United States and this would appear to be an appropriate 
opportunity to obtain further information on progress in this matter. 
4.219.  Costa Rica submitted several questions to the EU concerning services and intellectual 
property. My delegation is looking forward to  receiving the replies to those questions. 
CHILE 
4.220.  We have submitted 24 questions to the EU on issues including geographical indications, 
anti-dumping, countervailing measures, competition policy and climate change and the replies will 
be studied by our teams. 
4.221.  The edifice of historic ties between Chile and Europe in terms of politics, culture, trade, 
education, law and economics stem from the founding days of our republic and the shaping of our State as one governed by the rule of law – a process markedly influenced by Europe. 
4.222.  Our doctrinal and ideological roots draw on the same sources and we share the same basic 
vision of the State, society, human rights, democracy, integration and international cooperation. We share a vision of society as a community of communities made up of free individuals, based on 
the common good and communitarianism. 
4.223.  When what was then the European Economic Community began to formalize external links 
with Latin America, it established its first representation in Santiago, Chile in 1967. It was initially 
an information office but was evidence of an intent ion to strengthen ties as a body. Its choice of 
Chile clearly indicated the special tie between us. 
4.224.  Those ties have remained in place over ti me, and the support of what was then the 
European Community was pivotal in strengthening the recovery of our democracy, a process that 
ended in 1990, and the subsequent transition that re-consolidated civil liberties and launched 
economic recovery in our country. 
4.225.  Chile profoundly appreciates how significant the European Union was in that process; 
our relationship goes beyond trade, although obviou sly trade is also an aspect of it that we value 
and are seeking to enhance. 
4.226.  Today, formal relations are based chiefly on the Association Agreement in force since 
February 2003 that opened Chile's doors to the world's top trading power, the top importer of food WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  in the world, the top investor in Latin America and Chile, and the top contributor to development 
cooperation throughout the world as well as in Latin America and Chile. 
4.227.  Before that date, in 2002 in fact, Chile and the EU signed the recently renewed Agreement 
on Science and Technology, which originally fell within the EU Framework Programmes for Science 
and Technology and now falls under Horizon 2020, Erasmus Plus and others. It has been very 
beneficial to the country and has enabled hundreds of Chilean professionals and academics to join research projects with their European counterparts and has strengthened capacity-building and 
good practice within our institutions. 
4.228.  In particular, I must highlight the close cooperation between us in astronomy through the 
European Space Organization: the world's largest observatories have been established in Chile and they conduct scientific work for both Chile and the ESO. 
4.229.  The Association Agreement is comprehensive – it goes far beyond an FTA: it incorporates a 
clause on democracy and promotes a society based on shared common values. It includes three pillars: policy, trade (including trade in goods, services, investment, intellectual property, 
SPS, TBT, trade defence, public procurement and capital movements, and establishes a dispute 
settlement mechanism); and one additional , very important pillar: cooperation. 
4.230.  Both parties are very pleased with the application of the Agreement. Despite the European 
crisis, trade between the two economies has grow n by an average of almost 13% annually since 
the entry into force of the Association Agreemen t that was signed in 2002. Chilean exports have 
more than doubled and European exports to Chile have grown by around 90%. 
4.231.  Nonetheless, because of the crisis our export s have been falling since 2009 although we 
maintain a surplus. We anticipate that this process will be reinvigorated in the short term. 
4.232.  We see signs of recovery in the EU and hope they will be consolidated despite recent 
events that have brought new elements of uncertainty into the integration process. We are 
confident that as in the past, the EU will be able to take the appropriate decisions in conformity 
with its founding principles and political capacity. 
4.233.  The Association Agreement has been a key element in developing investment. 
Foreign direct investment (FDI) from the EU accounts for over 32% of the total amount invested in 
Chile since 1974, almost US$37 billion. The electricity, gas and water sector absorbed 33% of that investment. Of the capital investment obtained from the EU, 16% went to the mining sector. The communications and financial services sectors accounted for 27% of all capital investment by 
the EU in Chile. 
4.234.  Chilean investments in the European Union account for close to 3% of the total amount 
invested by Chile worldwide, at close to US$900 milli on. Industry is the chief beneficiary of direct 
Chilean investment at 68%, while services account for 32%. 
4.235.  Academic exchanges are ongoing and increasing. Of those selected under 
Chile's programme of grants for study abroad, 70% chose a university in the European Union. 
I should also note that in Santiago in 2013, at the request of the Chilean universities, 
an "Academic EU-LAC Summit" was held within the framework of the official summit of Heads of 
State for the first time, with a view to establis hing a common area of higher education, science 
and technology. In all, 230 universities from both  regions were represented. The second meeting 
to that end was held in Brussels recently. 
4.236.  Finally, I am pleased to state that a short while ago we agreed to begin work to modernize 
the Association Agreement, update its content an d disciplines and give a regional outlook to 
cooperation between us. 
4.237.  We note that at Session 75 of the WTO Trade Agreements Committee, we drew up a report 
with the European Union as provided for in paragraph 15 of the Transparency Mechanism for 
Regional Trade Agreements. The report was drawn up for the first time using a format that will be 
followed in future similar exercises. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.238.  Drawing on the reports, we encourage the EU to  continue to move forward on its road to 
open, transparent trade and accordingly we would in  future like the EU to have less recourse to 
antidumping measures, and to pursue the process of  agricultural reform by moving towards less 
distortive markets. 
4.239.  The EU has a great responsibility in the negotiations to conclude the Doha Round. We are 
confident that with its forward-looking vision it will continue to contribute to the process and will in Nairobi embark upon a new, more profo und stage of multilateralism in trade. 
THAILAND 
4.240.  Thailand fully associates herself with th e 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 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.248.  In this context, I am pleased to note that 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 develo ped 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 
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  i n  t h e  W T O ,  w i l l  c o n t i n u e  t o  p l a y  a n  
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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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. 
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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 
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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 Secretaria t 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. 
4.275.  On the labour market side, many divergences 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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. 
DOMINICAN
 REPUBLIC   
4.285.  The European Union ranks second among the Dominican Republic's trading partners, and 
this relationship has further intensified through the Economic Association Agreement with 
CARIFOR countries, of which the Dominican Republic forms part. In 2013 Dominican imports from the European Union stood at €1.1 billion. Ex ports from the Dominican Republic to the 
European Union include agricultural products (cocoa, banana, sugar), surgical and medical 
apparatus and instruments, and footwear. 
4.286.  In this, its 12
th Trade Policy Review, we would commend the European Union on what the 
Secretariat Report describes as its open and tran sparent economy. The EU constitutes the world's 
largest trading bloc with 28 member States and, despite the wide diversity among them in terms of economy, legal systems and political institutions, it is a highly integrated economic unit, with a single trade policy and common legislation in most trade-related spheres, and operates as a single 
market. 
4.287.  We are nonetheless concerned that since its pr evious Trade Policy Review, the economy of 
the EU has continued to record very low growth, with no increase in GDP in 2013 and only 1.3% 
in 2014. Whilst the main macroeconomic indicators of most member States have improved, 
unemployment remains high, investment has been stagnant, and inflation has slipped into deflation in some periods. Moreover, there remain significant differences across 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. 
4.288.  The measures taken by the European Central Bank in early 2015 to implement an asset 
purchase programme are very important and the programme  has been extended to include bonds 
issued by euro area central governments, agenci es, and European institutions. Combined monthly 
asset purchases are to amount to €60 billion and the intention is to continue the programme until at least September 2016 in the hope that it will revitalize the euro zone economies. In addition, 
the Commission has initiated an Investment Plan for Europe which includes a European Fund for 
Strategic Investments to support the real economy. The Plan aims to mobilize an additional €315 billion in the period 2015-2017 for investments in strategic areas such as in 
infrastructure. 
4.289.  Also of interest are the trade negotiations that the EU is engaged in with some trading 
partners, particularly the United States and Japan, and the negotiations that it has concluded with Canada. 
4.290.  Additionally, on trade facilitation, 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. In addition, the system of authorized economic 
operators (AEOs) has continued to expand and th e network of mutual recognition agreements for 
AEOs now includes China. 
4.291.  Although the report states that the process of harmonization of EU standards and technical 
requirements is ongoing, we would express concern with regard to non-tariff barriers in the form 
of both technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which are still widespread. Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014, the EU submitted 196 notifications under the WTO Agreement [?to the TBT Committee]  and individual member States submitted 
another 68, in addition to 151 notifications to the SPS Committee. We have registered our WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  concerns at the TBT Committee about the directive regulating tobacco products and the legislation 
in Ireland and the United Kingdom on plain packag ing for products derived from tobacco. We urge 
the EU to continue its efforts not to create unnece ssary barriers to trade especially in regard to 
trade from developing countries. 
4.292.  In the area of public procurement a series of new directives were agreed in 2014 which 
have reformed the legal framework, and they are being transposed into national law in the member States. The package is intended to im prove transparency and enforcement, and to 
simplify procedures. 
4.293.  The Secretariat Report notes that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) underwent 
significant reform with the adoption of several di rectives and implementing rules covering direct 
payments to agricultural producers, market measures, and rural development; however it goes on 
to explain that although the reform in the CAP may reduce distortions to production in the EU, 
the total funding for agriculture and rural de velopment will remain over €50 billion a year, 
a considerable sum, which affects the competitiveness of EU products in international markets to 
the detriment of the rest. In addition, protection instruments remain in place such as high tariffs, 
tariff quotas and use of the Special Agricultural Safeguard that protect agricultural producers from variations in international prices. 
4.294.  The Dominican Republic has submitted a number of questions to the EU on the agreements 
it has negotiated with other States. 
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 the fi fth 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 valuable 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 billi on 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 have been left untouched over the years. Gaining 
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 de velopments 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 and the European Union have had close relations in a wide range of areas both 
at bilateral and regional levels. Relations between institutions draw on the San José dialogue begun in 1984 that forms the basis of enhanced cooperation, economic ties and regional WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  integration between the European Union and Central America. More recently the Country Strategy 
Paper 2007-2013 has provided the basis for deep-seated cooperation between Guatemala and the European Union. Under the strategy, the EU allocated €135 million to programmes in Guatemala to support social cohesion and people's security, and economic development and trade. In the light of 
the EU's great interest in the region and the g ood relations between the parties, in August 2014 a 
new cooperation programme was approved for the period 2014-2020. Other important projects in Guatemala that currently receive support from the European Union are the pilot plan for the 
Adjacency Zone between Guatemala and Belize, programmes to provide aid to families 
experiencing food insecurity, as well as leadership training projects and projects for indigenous organizations. 
4.313.  Guatemala and the European Union have also historically had very close trading relations. 
Since the 1970s, Guatemala has been among the beneficiary countries of the Generalized System 
of Preferences (GSP) granted by the EU to developing countries. Our trading relations are currently governed by the section on trade contained in the European Union-Central America Association 
Agreement signed in Tegucigalpa in June 2012. Th e agreement was negotiated by Central America 
and the European Union to provide greater legal certainty and deepen relations between them in 
the areas of trade, cooperation and policy. The section on trade entered into force for Guatemala 
in December 2013 and includes chapters on trade in goods and services, regional economic 
integration, intellectual property and others. 
4.314.  Guatemala's chief exports to the EU are suga r, coffee and banana. However, in recent 
years other non-traditional products have established very successful footholds in the 
European market such as ornamental plants, fruit, mini-vegetables and rum, among others. 
Conversely, the main products imported from the EU into Guatemala are vehicles, machinery, agrichemicals and medicinal products. In the medium term we anticipate that the gradual 
expansion of Guatemala's exports to the EU than ks to the Agreement will enable better rural 
development for those of our small agricultural pr oducers, representing one third of the country's 
workforce, who want to reap the benefits international trade. 
4.315.  In so far as the Trade Policy Review proper is concerned, we note the EU's active 
participation in multilateral trade and its implementation of initiatives to facilitate trade such as the electronic customs system that includes an automatic import/export system and single window to reduce documentation procedures. We are also of the view that major short term challenges are to 
improve macroeconomic figures, revive economic  growth and reduce unemployment, and manage 
the significant differences that still remain between  the member States, despite their high level of 
integration. 
4.316.  We acknowledge the efforts made by the European Union during the period covered by this 
Trade Policy Review. We thank the EU for its replies to the questions we submitted and wish the delegation here today every success in this exercise. 
ECUADOR 
4.317.  Ecuador is taking part with great interest in this Trade Policy Review, firstly because of the 
importance of the European Union to the world economy and world trade and secondly because on 
17 July 2014 we completed the negotiations for a Multiparty Trade Agreement with the 
European Union, Colombia and Peru. 
4.318.  The European Union is one of Ecuador's most important trading partners and in recent 
years has been the top destination for Ecuadorian non-petroleum exports. 
4.319.  That being said, I should like to refer to the reports submitted for this Trade Policy Review 
and to highlight the active role played by the Eu ropean Union in the multilateral trading system 
and its commitment to promote the Doha Development Agenda. It is also important to highlight its 
economic contribution to "Aid for Trade". 
4.320.  Ecuador has noted the remarks in the Secretariat report stating that in 2013 extra-EU 
trade in goods and services accounted for around 35% of the bloc's GDP and that the principal macroeconomic indicators for most of the member States have improved. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.321.  We also noted the measures taken by the European Commission to tackle the concerns set 
out in the Secretariat report such as high unemployment and stagnation of investment. 
4.322.  Additionally the Secretariat report refers to the privileges that the EU member States can 
grant to economic operators established in the EU and to third countries with subsidiaries 
established in the EU. In that regard, Ecuador is concerned that that type of benefit (fewer 
customs controls or easier admittance to simplified customs procedures) benefit only imported products originating in beneficiary countries with subsidiaries in the EU. 
4.323.  Ecuador has noted a gradual change in guidelines for internal aid following the successive 
reforms of the CAP. Nonetheless it is a matter of concern that such changes amount to a transfer 
o f  m e a s u r e s  t h a t  w i l l  c o n t i n u e  t o  h a v e  a  d i s t o r t i v e  e f f e c t  o n  p r o d u c t i o n  i n  t h e  w o r l d  t r a d e  i n  agricultural products. 
4.324.  That being said, I refer to the efforts by the European Union in customs matters to 
implement an electronic customs initiative that includes an automatic import/export system and single window, which will unquestionably help to reduce the time needed to process documentation 
for imports. We hope the system will be implemented in all member States of the bloc as there are 
significant differences in clearance times and infrastructure. 
4.325.  We also note the remarks in the Secretariat report on export credits and other supports to 
industry and services provided by the member Stat es that fall under EU rules on state aid. Those 
rules are currently undergoing reform to streamline them and improve enforcement. 
4.326.  By way of conclusion we would like to express our thanks to the European Union delegation 
for its replies to the questions we have raised on some specific aspects of its trade policy; they will 
contribute significantly to strengthening relations with the bloc, particularly when internal 
procedures are in train to ratify the multiparty agreement signed last year. 
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 participat ing 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 econ omic 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.  WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.334.  In 2014, total trade between Indonesia an d 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 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 
second largest foreign investme nt, 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.  Reading the Secretariat report we note the ch allenges faced by the economy of the region, 
including low growth with an increase of 1.3% in GDP in 2014, the monetary crisis in the euro zone, high unemployment and stagnation in investment. Nonetheless we applaud the efforts 
under way to improve indicators, including monetary easing through the expanded asset purchase 
programme, and the Investment Plan for Europe. 
4.339.  Where trade policy is concerned we note that work to deepen preferential agreements has 
continued with its trading partners such as Un ited States, Japan and Canada. In addition, the 
Generalized System of Preferences remains in force for developing countries and least developed 
countries. 
4.340.  MFN tariffs have remained stable over the last two years. However there is still a high level 
of protection for EU products and a complex structure of import tariffs that includes compound 
tariffs that have a specific and an ad valorem  element. 
4.341.  On the bilateral level we would highlight the ongoing cooperation of member States of the 
European Union focusing on various areas such as Central American regional integration, public 
safety, support for economic growth, education, human rights and the national quality system, and 
others. 
4.342.  Additionally, together with the other countries of Central America, El Salvador has signed a 
bi-regional preferential agreement with the Europe an Union. The agreement entered into force for 
El Salvador on 1 October 2013 and provides an op portunity to strengthen ties in the spheres of 
trade, policy and cooperation. 
4.343.  As far as bilateral trade is concerned, the European Union ranked third among our export 
destinations and fourth for imports, representing total trade of US$803 million in 2014, and reflecting the trading importance to El Salvador of the European Union. 
4.344.  That trade is largely supplementary given that in  line with official information for the period 
2012-2014 exports from El Salvador to the European Union were heavily focused on coffee, tuna 
loins and tinned tuna, sugar, natural honey, slips and others whereas exports from European Union countries to El Salvador consisted chiefly of medicinal products, metals, chemical 
fertilizers and perfumes, among others. 
4.345.  In the fourth quarter of 2014, the balance of foreign direct investment from member 
States of the European Union was US$973 million, making it our third largest foreign investor. 
The investment is focused in the agroindustry and telecommunications sectors. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.346.  On the multilateral level, as stated in the Secretariat report, the European Union is one of 
the most active WTO Members as well as one of the most committed to completing the Doha Development Agenda. El Salvador applauds the European Union's efforts within this Organization and thanks it for the support it gives to small economies, a group to which El Salvador belongs. 
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 revi ew. 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 congratula te 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/M/317 • 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 appreciate s 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 vital 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 and Sr i 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 destinat ion 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 assistance 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/M/317 • 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 for 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 Preferences ( G S P ) ,  w h i c h  c a m e  i n t o  e f f e c t  d u r i n g  t h e  
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 meas ures 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 Fe bruary 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 occupying 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/M/317 • 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 welcomes the delegation of the European Union to this important forum for the 
multilateral trading system that helps to provid e transparency in its Members' trade policies. 
4.374.  As one of the largest economies and trading entities in the world, the European Union 
plays a key role in the multilateral trading system and has historically been a major market for our country. The countries of the EU absorb around 20% of all our exports every year. 
4.375.  Our country's exports to the EU consists princi pally of high quality agricultural products 
such as chilled and frozen beef, wood pulp, hide s and skins, wood, fresh fruits and wool among 
others. Last year, exports of cellulose rose strongly and became our fourth largest export. It is anticipated that these exports will grow further this year with almost half of them bound for the 
European Union. That is why the development of tr ading relations with the EU is a priority on our 
external agenda. 
4.376.  In 2014 our country lost preferential access for its goods to the Community market under 
the Generalized System of Preferences and severa l sectors were adversely affected (especially 
citrus fruits, blueberries ( arándanos ), skins, wood, horse meat and marine products). In addition, 
the recession has had an effect on European demand for imports from Uruguay – they fell by around 8% during the period under review. 
4.377.  In accordance with the provisions of the Framework Agreement for Cooperation between 
the European Economic Community and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay of 1992, the 9
th meeting 
of the Uruguay-European Union Joint Committee was held in June 2014. This system of dialogue 
and consultations enables points of common interest to be identified and fosters dialogue in the 
fields of cooperation and bilateral trade. 
4.378.  With regard to the quota for high quality beef opened in 2009 by the European Union 
following the dispute between the United Stat es and the European Union referred to as 
European Communities – Measures Concerni ng Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) , it is of 
interest to Uruguay that greater flexibility is being introduced into the mechanism for disseminating updated statistical information on the use of the quota. This will prevent and 
minimize potential quarterly administrative difficulties. 
4.379.  Regarding the recent accession of Croatia to the European Union and pursuant to 
Article XXIV:6 of the GATT, Uruguay duly requested compensatory adjustment and recorded its 
rights as an initial negotiator with a principal supplying interest. On various occasions it reiterated 
its request for fair and necessary compensation. 
4.380.  In addition, Uruguay sought to initiate procedures to export sheep meat on the bone under 
a compartmentalized, separate system of producti on that was submitted to the OIE. While the EU 
authorities are still considering recognition of the compartment, this delegation reiterates Uruguay's willingness for the compartment to be examined, evaluated and then undergo the recognition procedures. 
4.381.  On harmonization of European rules among the EU member States there is still a degree of 
disparity at European Union border inspection posts in controls for Eschericia coli  (STEC) in beef. 
Since it is in Uruguay's interests for the criteria to be harmonized, we appreciate the effort the EU 
is making to formulate guidelines laying down uniform criteria in this matter. 
4.382.  Also on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, we would like to express our concern at the 
proposal adopted by the European Commission on a package of measures affecting the agrifood 
chain. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.383.  Uruguay imports manufactured products from the EU including machinery of all types, 
electrical equipment, fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, chemical products and others. The EU is extremely important for our country as a supplier of capital goods and inputs for manufacturing industry. 
4.384.  European firms have been expanding their presence in Uruguay's manufacturing 
and service sectors, and today they play a ma jor role in strategic sectors of the country 
such as telecommunications, logistics, port services, energy, construction, infrastructure, financial 
services, real estate and agribusiness. We are of the view that this demonstrates 
Uruguay's openness and transparency to investment and highlights our status as a logistics hub in South America and a gateway to MERCOSUR. 
4.385.  Uruguay acknowledges the efforts made by the EU in the reforms it is making to alleviate 
the low, fragile levels of growth experienced in recent years. 
4.386.  In terms of the current EU trade policy, we would comment as follows: 
4.387.  Our country recognizes the importance of the recent reform to the Common Agricultural 
Policy (CAP) and directives and rules to strengthen  the market and reduce distortions in European 
agricultural production. Despite this, however, very significant production subsidies, restrictions on market access and use of the Special Agricultural Safeguard remain in place and they have a 
profound effect on countries that export agricultural products. 
4.388.  The reform of the CAP increases use of the Green Box Measures and although it reduces 
Amber Box Measures, distortive measures remain very significant. 
4.389.  Uruguay recognizes the importance of the EU policy decision not to use direct subsidies for 
exports and it would be very significant if the EU were to adopt commitments in that regard. 
4.390.  Moreover, for Uruguay the negotiation of the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement remains the 
priority, and it will do its utmost to bring it to a successful conclusion. 
PAKISTAN 
4.391.  Allow me to begin by quoting from the Go vernment'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. 
4.395.  With all due deference to these noble endeavours, 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 preferential 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. 
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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.404.  We are looking forward to continued cooperatio n 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. 
PANAMA 
4.406.  The European Union continues to be an extremely integrated, open and transparent 
economy. Hitherto it has posted moderate growth which, although slow and fragile, is projected to 
improve in the coming years. 
4.407.  The European Union is making significant efforts at structural reforms to increase 
competitiveness especially in areas such as fiscal consolidation, the labour market, education and 
social welfare. It expects that this approach will lead in the long-term to greater progress in its economic recovery. 
4.408.  On foreign direct investment, the European Union continues as a bloc to be the chief 
destination and chief supplier of foreign direct investment in the world. 
4.409.  We believe it is also necessary to note that the European Union attaches great importance 
to development cooperation and in 2012, together with its member States, was the largest 
supplier of aid for trade, accounting for 32% of total aid-for-trade flow. We also note the significant efforts made and support provided by the European Union in the field of trade facilitation. We should like to take this opportunity  to congratulate the European Union on initiating 
the process to ratify the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in February this year. 
4.410.  Since its last review the European Union has begun implementing four new bilateral trade 
agreements, including the agreement between the European Union and Central America, 
the first region-to-region Association Agreement, that entered into force on 1 August 2013. 
The agreement was signed in order to foster and consolidate regional trade through rules and regulations on trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, public procurement, 
trade facilitation, dispute settlement and other matters. 
4.411.  In 2014, trade in goods between Panama and the European Union accounted for 13%, 
ranking it second. The figure for 2014 showed a 133% rise on the figure for 2010. Panama has had a trade balance deficit with the European Union each year from 2010 to 2013. 
4.412.  In 2014, exports from Panama to the European Union accounted for 23% of all exports of 
goods. The European Union absorbs the largest pr oportion of exports of Panamanian goods, and 
there was a 4% rise in the figure compared to 2010. In 2014, imports from the European Union 
accounted for 11.4% of the total by value. The European Union ranks second as the country of 
origin of imports, with an increase of 158% compared to 2010. 
4.413.  Investment in Panama from the European Union amounted to PAB 7,888 million in 2013, 
accounting for 25% of the total, the largest share of all. 
4.414.  The flow of freight from the European Union through the Panama Canal in 2014 
was 24,906,216 long tons, accounting for 5% of the total, the fifth largest. 
4.415.  To conclude we would congratulate the European Union on its distinguished role at the 
WTO and its active participation in plurilateral initiatives and negotiations. 
BENIN 4.416.  Benin's interest in today's proceedings is twofold because it has excellent relations of 
cooperation in various areas of economic, social and institutional development both with the 
European Union as an entity and with the Union's member States, which are among Benin's most significant bilateral partners. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.417.  The European Union is a dynamic Member of our Organization due to its weight in 
international trade and its size: it announced its enlargement at its last TPR and has had 28 members since the accession of Croatia in July 2013. 
4.418.  It is unquestionably a key player with a popu lation of over 500 million and has an open 
trade regime that accounts for more than 17% of the world's GDP in 2013, making it the world's 
largest common market. 
4.419.  It ranked top for trade in goods and services and for inward and outward stocks of FDI 
in 2013, with €523 billion received (46.2% of world inward flows) and €475.5 billion invested 
abroad (43.5% of world outward flows). 
4.420.  It should be noted that the European Union is actively committed to defending a trade 
policy that supports reliable, transparent trade rules that are conducive to promoting sustainable 
growth and development. 
4.421.  The delegation of Benin urges the European Union to continue its efforts so that the WTO 
can continue to be the ideal framework for prom oting and defending a fair and equitable world 
trading system for all its players, including deve loping countries and especially LDCs, a framework 
that creates the enabling environment and the tool s and mechanisms necessary to make trade an 
effective lever for wealth creation and hence poverty reduction. 
4.422.  Among other things, this requires a productive commitment and a combined effort on 
everyone's part to conclude the Doha Development Agenda as soon as possible, including the development dimension. 
4.423.  The delegation of Benin reiterates that it is fully disposed to work towards that objective 
and that there is an immediate need to formulate the post-Bali work programme which, in 
conformity with the instructions from our Minister s in Bali in December 2013 will, firstly, be based 
on decisions taken at the 9
th Ministerial Conference, particularly on agriculture, development and 
LDC issues, including the crucial cotton question, as well as all other issues under the Doha 
mandate that are central to concluding the Round, and secondly, will prioritize issues in the Bali Package where legally binding outcomes could not be achieved. 
4.424.  The European Union Report states that while the EU remains committed to the further 
development of the multilateral trading system, the EU is also actively participating in plurilateral negotiations It should be noted that in that process, the EU pays attention to ensuring that plurilateral initiatives are transparent and inclusive, and that they remain compatible with the 
WTO rules. 
4.425.  It is therefore strongly recommended that those initiatives should usefully supplement 
rather than supplant multilateral action in the WTO. 
4.426.  One aspect of the European Union's trade policy is its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 
which following measures adopted at end-2013 to cover the period 2014-2020, seeks to encourage the use of policy instruments that have less distortive effects. 
4.427.  The delegation of Benin encourages the Eu ropean Union, in cooperation with other 
WTO Members to continue its work to substantially reduce or even eliminate all measures that have trade-distortive effects. 
4.428.  The delegation of Benin takes this opportunity to welcome the action taken by the 
European Union to provide developing countries, including LDCs, with assistance by way of aid for 
trade to help them build the supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure that they need 
to implement and benefit from the WTO Agreem ents, and to increase their trade generally. 
4.429.  To conclude, following the launch of Phase Two of the Enhanced Integrated Framework 
(EIF) during the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade, the Beninese delegation urges the 
European Union to continue its work to support the full and effective integration of the least 
developed countries in the multilateral trading system. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  MAURITIUS 
4.430.  Mauritius and the EU share excellent relations. 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 Agreement. 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. 
HONDURAS 4.436.  The EU is currently regarded as a highly integrated economic unit with common policies 
and legislation covering most trade-related areas; it plays a key role in the multilateral trading 
system and has stated its commitment to concluding the DDA. 
4.437.  At the same time the reports acknowledge that the EU is typified by its open and 
transparent trade and investment regimes. It wo uld appear from the reports that intellectual 
property is very important to the EU economy and a main driver of growth to ensure that creativity 
and innovation are rewarded. 
4.438.  According to the FAO, in 2012, in value terms, the EU was the second biggest producer, 
the second biggest exporter, and the biggest import e r  o f  a g r i c u l t u r a l  p r o d u c t s  i n  t h e  w o r l d ,  s o  
developments in agricultural production and trade policies in the EU are clearly of interest to the Members of the WTO. 
4.439.  We note also that distribution services are one of the largest services sectors with 
wholesale and retail trade accounting for over 11% of GDP and nearly 15% of employment. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.440.  Extra-EU trade is critical to the economy, with trade in goods and services equivalent to 
about 35% of EU GDP in 2013. Accordingly at regional and bilateral level, we would note that application of the Association Agreement between the EU and the Central American region (i.e. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama as one party) started 
in 2013. The Agreement is the first region-to-re gion Association Agreement and relies on three 
mutually reinforcing pillars, namely political dialogue, cooperation, and a trade agreement. 
4.441.  The Agreement involved an ambitious alliance that has helped to deepen, strengthen and 
enhance the fruitful political, trade and cooperation-related ties that began to be established 
between our regions in 1984. The agreement has helped to strengthen the Central American 
integration process and generate greater opportunities for Honduran exporters who are favoured under the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+), enabling them to increase their exports 
to this important market in recent years. 
4.442.  It is clear from the report that in 2013, at the HS four-digit level, the EU's top three 
imports were coffee, oil-cake, and soya beans. Th e main sources of imports of coffee were Brazil, 
Switzerland, Viet Nam, and Honduras, as shown in the positive balance in our trading relations. 
4.443.  In 2014 we exported goods to the value of around US$900 million including coffee, 
coconuts, cashew nuts, fish, sugar cane, tobacco and potatoes among others, and imported goods 
to the value of US$630 million, chiefly electric motors and generators, tractors, optical fibres, 
paper and polymers of ethylene. The EU as a bloc ranks fifth among Honduras's trading partners in 
terms of exports and eighth in terms of imports. 
4.444.  In terms of flows of FDI, the EU has invest ed over US$283 million, including in businesses 
in the telecommunications, manufacturing and construction industries. 
4.445.  On 10 June, prior to the Second EU-CELAC Summit 2015, Honduras signed an agreement 
with the European Union that will provide €40 millio n to improve food security in the dry corridor 
and covers programmes to generate employment and provide support to small producers that will 
help them improve their method of cultivation, drip irrigation and ferti-irrigation. Additionally an agreement was signed with the European Investment Bank for over €65 million to construct the 
road along the western corridor, a project that w ill have an impact on trade for both economic 
blocs. 
4.446.  It is worth mentioning that the EU is one of the main donors in aid for trade and for trade 
facilitation programmes in a multilateral as well as the regional and bilateral context, and we 
therefore take this opportunity to express our de ep appreciation to the European Union of the 
valuable support and cooperation it has provided. 
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.  WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 the 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. 
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 sy stem 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 isolated 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 
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 commitmen t 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 evaluation 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 Global 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.  
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 through 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 Privat e 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 OECS 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 and tr ading 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.   
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 commitment 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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 of many WTO Members, including Nigeria. To that end, Nigeria welcomes EU’s further Trade 
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 evolution of agricultural policy has continued with the 
adoption, in December 2013, of the basic regula tions for a comprehensive package of reforms, 
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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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.   
NICARAGUA 
4.507.  Nicaragua notes that EU trade policy continues to seek to progressively abolish or lower 
obstacles to international trade, contribute to  sustainable development, and use trade as an 
important element driving the growth of the econom y of its member States, helping to create jobs 
and raising productivity. This demonstrates that the EU continues to be the world's largest trading 
bloc, and its overall trade grew. 
4.508.  We note that during the period under review the EU has continued to undertake legislative 
activities aimed at strengthening the legal structure of the European Union and its institutional 
framework, among other initiatives. However, my  delegation hopes that the implementation of 
these initiatives will not affect the exports of main products in the European Union market. 
4.509.  Nicaragua attaches huge importance to trade relations with the huge economic and trading 
bloc that is the European Union, as show n by the entry into force of the agreement 
on 1 August 2013. 
4.510.  Exports from Nicaragua to the European Union totalled US$325.47 million whereas imports 
from European Union countries stood at US$326.87 million for the same period. 
4.511.  Historically the member States of the Europe an Union have ranked fifth among Nicaragua's 
overall export destinations. In 2014, they accounted  for around 6.3% of Nicaragua's total exports, 
a slight fall of 0.8% compared to 2013, but this was against a background of economic and 
financial crisis in the European Union; moreover the association agreement had only entered into 
force in August 2013. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  4.512.  However, Nicaragua expects that in the medium and long term, implementation of the 
Association Agreement will help to increase Nicaraguan exports to the European Union, foster exports of higher value-added goods and facilitate diversification of trade, thus generating more 
opportunities for Nicaragua to become part of global production chains. 
4.513.  On investment, during the period 2012-2014, Nicaragua received a total of 
US$352.71 million from the countries of the European Union by way of Foreign Direct Investment. 
4.514.  The investments were from 11 EU countries, notably Spain which in 2014 accounted for 
62.3% of total investment from the EU, followed by Germany (21%), and Denmark (6.2%). 
Between them these three countries accounted for 89.5% of the total investment in Nicaragua by European Union member countries. 
4.515.  In relation to the Cooperation Pillar of the Association Agreement, Nicaragua hopes to 
continue to benefit from the EU's cooperation instruments to make it easier to diversify and 
generally facilitate trade in order to become mo re fully integrated into the global economy. 
JAMAICA 
4.516.  The Government and Secretariat reports prepar ed 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 
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 groups, 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. WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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, 
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 co mmitment 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 WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  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/M/317 • 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/M/317 • 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 development 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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  5.19.  Finally, we have been encouraged in the cont ext 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 th e 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 archit ecture 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 represen t 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 ta riff 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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  5.30.  In relation to cotton, I would like to respond 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 welcomed  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 regu latory 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 provid e 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/M/317 • 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 measures 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 discu ssant 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/M/317 • 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 Directives, 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 comme nts 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/M/317 • 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 ener gy 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 perhaps 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/M/317 • 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 delegations 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.  L e t  m e  j u s t  s a y  t o  c o n c l u d e  t h a t  m a n y  o f  y o u  c o m m e n d e d  t h e  E U  o n  M o n d a y  f o r  
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.  First I would like to welcome Ambassador Pangratis to the review and thank him for his 
introductory remarks, highlighting as they did hi s awareness of the importance of the EU to the 
Members of this Organization. 
5.73.  This morning I shall deal briefly with some of the main points raised in this Trade Policy 
Review. I would like to thank Mr Redonnet for the comprehensive remarks and comments he has 
just made, and his extensive efforts to respond to most of the concerns raised over the past 
two days. 
5.74.  First I note that most of the delegations that took the floor highlighted the European Union's 
role as the world's largest economic bloc, one of the main agents for trade and investment, a key 
trading partner and a leader in aid for trade. 
5.75.  This makes it more than clear why the EU is important and relevant to the multilateral 
trading system. That importance is reflected in two areas. On the one hand, Members' interest in 
knowing about the reforms and progress it is making towards consolidating its internal market and 
the process of economic integration. On the other hand, the importance that they attach to macroeconomic stability in view of the importance of its market to its trading partners. 
Some Members who referred to the latter point expressed concern at the uncertainty generated by 
the issues that are hitting the headlines. For that reason we appreciate the comments and remarks WT/TPR/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  that Ambassador Pangratis made this morning on th e situation in Greece in the light of the current 
economic situation in the European Union. 
5.76.  Although generally speaking we have heard positive comments on recent developments, 
Members have expressed a number of concerns that are well worth recalling. Agricultural policies 
were a recurring theme in the statements. On the subject of market access there were calls not 
only to reduce levels of protection but al so to work towards tariff simplification. 
5.77.  Worthy of note is Members' acknowledgement of the reforms that are under way in internal 
aid although several expressed concerns at the high levels still in place and referred to them as 
merely "box-shifting". These concerns imply that monitoring should continue into the effects of aggregate support on trade. We also heard statements referring to progress in export subsidies, as well as the importance of consolidating them. 
5.78.  Several delegations highlighted progress and propos als in the field of regulation of services 
such as telecommunications and financial services, and urged the EU to continue on its path of openness and internal harmonization. 
5.79.  Things will move in the right direction in several of these areas if we succeed in concluding 
the Doha Round negotiations. As I said on the first day, this is an important year for the WTO and we face the challenge of producing concrete results for Nairobi. Many speakers stressed the 
importance of EU leadership in the work we are doing at the WTO. The efforts of all Members, 
including the EU, will be required if we are to move forward on these matters and other areas of 
the Round. 
5.80.  A number of specific questions were also raised. Many speakers expressed concern about 
the need to ensure that sanitary regulations and technical rules were based on scientific study, 
risk analysis and international standards, and for them to be transparent and predictable. 
In particular, a number of speakers raised questions and expressed concern about the recent 
proposal for a regulation on GMOs. 
5.81.  There was widespread appreciation of the reforms that are under way in the fields of public 
procurement and trade facilitation. The challe nge posed by the differing competences of 
the Commission and the member States was noted. Several speakers expressed concern that 
harmonization of rules needs to be accompanied by consistent implementation. 
5.82.  I must draw attention to the comment made by some of the developing countries, and 
especially the LDCs that took the floor, highlighti ng the important role played by the EU's aid for 
trade as well as their requests for better market access when the EU reviews the rules of origin 
that apply under preferential schemes. 
5.83.  I would in any event draw attention to the very full additional information provided this 
morning by the EU on many of the areas I have just referred to, and to the information contained 
in the EU's written replies, which I am sure Members will study in detail. 
5.84.  I shall take this opportunity to express a few words of appreciation to Angelos Pangratis. His 
leadership and constructive attitude were referred to expressly by many of the delegations that 
took the floor on Monday. On a personal level, I would like to thank him for the friendship and support he has shown me since I have been in Geneva. I wish him every success in his activities when he leaves this city and am confident that our paths will cross again in the future. 
5.85.  Finally I would again like to express my thanks  for being granted the honour of acting as 
discussant in this exercise. Thanks are due also to the EU for its constructive participation and the considerable efforts it made to reply to the large number of questions it received; to the 
Secretariat for its preparatory work for this review; and to all the delegations that have 
contributed to this interesting debate. I shall now conclude my statement. WT/TPR/M/317 • 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 answer s 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 made 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 Monday  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/M/317 • 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 relationship, 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. 
SEPARATE
 CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
5.102.  First of all, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu wishes 
to thank the European Union delegation, led by Mr Denis Redonnet, for its answers to our written questions and for its contribution this morning and over the past several months in preparation for 
this week. 
5.103.  This has been an excellent Trade Policy Review. 
5.104.  We have a small number of follow-up questions for the European Union concerning 
directives on public procurement which we provided to the Secretariat on Monday 6 July. 
Very briefly, we would be interested in fuller information in that matter. 
5.105.  On the Greek crisis we note that the Euro Group is going to discuss a new medium-term 
support programme for Greece. We continue to encourage the European Union and its 
28 member States to participate constructively at the euro zone summit discussions. 
5.106.  Finally, to close, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
welcomes the efforts of the Permanent Mission of the European Union led by H.E. Mr Pangratis. 
Our thanks are also due to our discussant, HE Mr Duque for his very pertinent remarks. 
URUGUAY 5.107.  Thank you, Mr Chairman, for allowing us to take the floor once again. 
5.108.  On this occasion we would refer briefly to  a matter mentioned by the European Union 
delegation in all its statements that relates to negotiations of preferential trade agreements. 
5.109.  We would particularly stress that for Uruguay the negotiation between MERCOSUR and the 
EU is the priority and accordingly all efforts should be made to bring it to a successful conclusion. WT/TPR/M/317 • 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 finalized 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 will 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 take very seriously the call that has come from many of you for continuing our level of 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 concerned, 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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  5.122.  Because I have just said that, I need to answer 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, 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 th ese 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 fo r 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 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 reforms 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 imag e 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/M/317 • 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/M/317 • European Union 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy Review of the European 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 statemen ts 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 statem ent, 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 expansion 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/M/317 • 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 invest igations 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. 
__________