RESTRICTED  
  
TN/TF/M/53  
 
7 November 2013  
(13-6176)   Page: 1/2 
Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation    
 
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
HELD IN THE CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD FROM 15 – 16 OCTOBER 2013 
 
Chairman: H.E. Mr. Eduardo Sperisen-Yurt (Guatemala) 
1.1.  The Chairman welcomed delegations to  the meeting of the Negotiating Group.  
1.2.  He recalled that the proposed agenda had been circulated in WTO/AIR/4200. As Members 
would have seen from the airgram, the meeting sought to accomplish three main tasks: first, it 
was set to evaluate the current state-of-play. Members would be briefed by his Friends on the outcome of the activities undertaken since the last NGTF meeting in July. They would be invited to harvest the progress made by integrating the re sulting language into the next revision Draft 
Consolidated Negotiating Text. Furthermore, delega tions would have an opportunity to discuss the 
next steps.   
1.3.  The agenda was adopted. 
1.4.  The representative of Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, expressed his 
disappointment over the fact that the meeting had been convened on the day of Eid-al-Adha, an 
important event for the Muslim people. The Arab Group was really concerned by the disrespect 
shown to the Muslim people by convening the meeting on that day. They had sent a letter about 
this matter to the WTO Secretariat three weeks ago and had hoped that this would be taken into consideration. The day was an official UN holiday. The Arab Group was concerned that the WTO did not take UN holidays into account. They hoped that the Chair would transmit this statement to the 
Director-General and that he would take all necessary steps to ensure that this would not happen 
again in the future. It was really a problem since the capitals would not be reachable, and there were important decisions to take.  
1.5.  The representative of Turkey full y supported the statement made by Egypt. 
1.6.  The representative of Saudi Arabia, spea king also on behalf of Kuwait, supported the 
statement made by the coordinator of the Arab Group.  
1.7.  The representative of Qatar congratulated the Muslim countries for the celebration of Eid-al-
Adha. He then added his voice to what previous speakers had said about holding this meeting 
during that time. He hoped for this message to be considered, not just for the Muslim countries but for the entire region. 
1.8.  The Chairman expressed his apologies for the meeting taking place during that particular 
time. He had not been aware of the request by the Arab Group but would ensure that this would 
not happen again. 
REPORTS BY FACILITATORS, CONSIDERATION OF NEW/REVISED TEXTS FOR INCLUSION 
INTO THE DRAFT CONS OLIDATED NEGOTIATING TEXT AND DECISION ON NEXT STEPS. 
1.9.  This part of the meeting was conducted in informal mode.  
1.10.  The Negotiating Group took note of the statements made. TN/TF/M/53 
 
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  AD HOC ATTENDANCE OF RELEVANT INTERN ATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE 
IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, WCO AND THE WORLD BANK, AT THE NEXT MEETING OF THE NEGOTIATING GROUP  
1.11.  The Chairman suggested inviting relevant international organizations, including the IMF, 
OECD, UNCTAD, WCO and the World Bank to attend the next formal meeting of the Negotiating 
Group on an ad hoc basis, as provided for in the Work Plan. 
1.12.  It was so agreed. 
OTHER BUSINESS 1.13.  The Chairman addressed the dates for the Negotiating Group's next meeting. He observed 
that, with there only being a few weeks to the MC9, the Group was in the hands of the TNC as to 
when it would meet again – and in which form. Details would be communicated in due course.   
1.14.  It was so agreed. 
1.15.  The Negotiating Group took note of the statements made. 
 
1.16.  The meeting was adjourned. 
 
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