This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption and shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered to express the consent of the European Union to be bound by the Agreements.

1.The Agreements with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States on the necessary compensatory adjustments under Article XXI of GATS resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities, are hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.

(10)The agreed compensatory adjustments constitute a satisfactory and balanced outcome of the negotiations. They should therefore be approved on behalf of the European Union,

(9)Following the conclusion of the negotiations, in accordance with the Council Conclusions of 26 July 2006, the Commission was authorised to sign the respective agreements with each of the affected WTO Members concerned. With a view to launch the certification procedure provided for by the applicable WTO rules, on 14 September 2006 the Commission transmitted the draft consolidated schedule to the WTO Secretariat. The certification was concluded on 15 December 2006.

(8)The Commission conducted negotiations with the affected WTO Members. As a result of those negotiations, agreement was reached on compensatory adjustments related to the modifications and withdrawals notified on 28 May 2004.

(7)Following the submission of the notification and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of GATS, eighteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States (hereinafter referred to as the affected WTO Members) submitted claims of interest.

(6)With a view to present a consolidated schedule, on 28 May 2004 the European Union submitted a communication pursuant to Article V of GATS whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw certain specific commitments included in its own schedule and in those of the acceding Member States, pursuant to Article V:5 of GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:l(b ) of GATS.

(5)In order to ensure that the acceding Member States are covered by limitations included in the list of specific commitments of the European Union and to ensure consistency with the acquis communautaire, it was necessary to modify or withdraw certain specific commitments included in the list of specific commitments of the European Union and in the lists of specific commitments of the acceding Member States.

(4)The current schedule of the European Union and its Member States only covers the specific commitments related to the twelve Member States of 1994. The individual schedules of specific commitments of the Member States that have joined the European Union in 1995 and in 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the acceding Member States) were adopted prior to their accession.

(3)Pursuant to Article XX of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (hereinafter referred to as GATS), WTO Members shall set out in a schedule the specific commitments they undertake under Part III of GATS.

(2)The Treaty concerning the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, to the European Union entered into force on 1 May 2004.

(1)The Treaty concerning the accession of the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union entered into force on 1 January 1995.

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2), and Article 207, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) thereof,

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The Agreements permit the consolidation of fourteen of the seventeen different GATS schedules applicable in the territory of the European Union into a single text.

The Agreements are not expected to have a financial impact on the EU budget.

The proposal does not affect the protection of fundamental rights within the European Union.

This proposal for a Council decision is submitted in accordance with paragraph 6 of Article 218 TFEU, which envisages the adoption by the Council of a decision authorising the conclusion of the agreement. There exists no other legal instrument that could be used in order to achieve the objective expressed in this proposal

The proposal to conclude the Agreements does not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objective of having a consolidated GATS schedule for the whole of the European Union.

The Agreements, as presented to the Council, do not cover any matters that fall outside the scope of the European Union’s exclusive competence.

The Agreements are to be concluded by the European Union pursuant to a decision of the Council based on Article 218(6) TFEU, following the European Parliament’s consent.

In accordance with Opinion 2/15, all the matters covered by the Agreements must also be held to fall within the competence of the European Union and, more particularly, within the scope of Articles 91, 100(2) and 207 TFEU.

In its Opinion 2/15 of 16 May 2017, the Court confirmed, under the rules existing after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU’s exclusive competence with regard to all matters covered by the agreement that had been negotiated with Singapore, except for non-direct investment and investor-to-state dispute settlement where the Member States are defendants that the Court considered to be of shared competence of the European Union and the Member States. The Court drew the EU exclusive competence from the scope of the Common Commercial Policy under Article 207(1) TFEU and from Article 3(2) TFEU (based on the affectation of existing common rules contained in secondary legislation).

On 18 February 2008, the Commission seized the Court of Justice of the European Union for an opinion under Article 300(6) EC on whether the European Union had the necessary competence to sign and conclude alone the Agreements. In its Opinion 1/08 of 30 November 2009, the Court concluded that, under the rules existing before the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Agreements had to be concluded by the European Union and its Member States.

The Agreements are fully consistent with European Union policies and do not require the European Union to amend its rules, regulations or standards in any regulated area. The Agreements safeguard public services and have no impact on the governments’ right to regulate in the public interest.

The negotiation and conclusion of the Agreements is a necessary step for the entry into force of a common GATS schedule for the whole of the European Union. The entry into force of the EU25 schedule is needed, on the one hand, in order to ensure that all the Member States concerned are covered by the same horizontal limitations and that their commitments are not in breach of the acquis communautaire and, on the other hand, to advance in further consolidation processes.

The fact that the Agreements have not yet been formally concluded is hindering the consolidation process of the EU GATS schedule regarding the Member States having joined the European Union after 2006, since the WTO Members who claimed to be affected by the modifications of the schedules of those Member States refuse to engage in this process until the legal status of the Agreements had been clarified.

At this stage, the Council has not yet approved the conclusion of the Agreements, which have not been ratified by all the Member States concerned.

On 11 October 2007 the Parliament, in a consultation procedure, approved the conclusion of the Agreements.

On 23 July 2007, the Council agreed on the text of a draft decision of the Council and of the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council approving the conclusion of the Agreements on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

Accordingly, on 27 March 2007, the Commission submitted a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreements.

The agreed compensatory adjustments constituted a satisfactory and balanced outcome of the negotiations and should therefore be approved on behalf of the European Union.

Thereby, the European Union became the first member of the World Trade Organization that successfully used the GATS provisions on the modification and withdrawal of commitments. As a result of the successful consolidation of the EU GATS schedule, its services commitments could be presented in a single document covering its, at that time, twenty five Member States (hereafter "the EU25 consolidated schedule").

To this end, on 28 May 2004, the European Union notified to the WTO the modification and withdrawal of certain commitments included in the EU GATS schedule and in the GATS schedules of the thirteen Member States concerned. The European Union subsequently entered into negotiations with eighteen WTO Members, who claimed to be affected by these modifications and withdrawals, under Article XXI of GATS. In the course of such negotiations, in accordance with the Council Conclusions of 26 July 2006, the European Union agreed on the compensation to be offered to the affected WTO Members. The notified modifications and withdrawals, together with the agreed compensatory adjustments, were incorporated into a consolidated EU GATS schedule, the certification of which was concluded pursuant to the applicable WTO rules on 15 December 2006.

In order to ensure that those thirteen Member States did not maintain commitments which would be in breach of the acquis communautaire and that they were covered by the horizontal limitations included in the EU GATS schedule, it was necessary to notify the modification and withdrawal of certain specific commitments included in the EU GATS schedule and in the individual GATS schedules of the thirteen Member States concerned, and to consolidate those individual schedules with the EU GATS schedule.

The terms and conditions under which WTO Members commit access to their market to the services and service suppliers of other WTO Members are specified in their GATS schedules of specific commitments. The original schedule of specific commitments of the European Union and its Member States (hereafter "the EU GATS schedule") dates back to 1994, and only covers those twelve Member States who were members of the European Union at that time. The thirteen Member States that have joined the European Union in 1995 and 2004 continued to maintain their individual GATS schedules, which were adopted prior to their accession to the European Union.

The present Commission proposal for a Council decision aims at formally concluding the compensatory agreements reached between the European Union and several WTO Members in order to obtain a consolidated GATS schedule of specific commitments covering all the Member States who were members of the European Union in 2006 (hereafter "the Agreements").

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The following abbreviations are used to indicate the Member States:

- New (less restrictive) language for IT's ENT in mode 3 on bars, cafes and restaurants, including a commitment on its non-discriminatory nature.

- FI: change in Mode 3 permanent residency requirements (“At least one of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the managing director shall have their permanent residence in the European Community…" instead of “At least one half of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the delegates, the managing director, the holder of the procuration and the person entitled to sign in the name of the credit institution shall have their place of residence in the European Community…”).

- A clarificatory footnote indicating that Sub-sectors 2.C.h) to 2.C.m) of the Services Sectoral Classification List contained in MTN,GNS/W/120 (value-added services) and Sub-sectors 2.C.a) to 2.C.g) of that List are included here. Sub-sector 2.C.o) of that List is also included here to the extent that it falls under this definition. For the purpose of this schedule, subsector 2C.n of that list (on-line information and/or data processing) is reflected in this schedule of Commitments under 1.B (Computer and related services).

- A clarification from FI that its three Mode 3 horizontal limitations on legal entities under market access, on subsidiaries, branches, agencies and representative offices under national treatment, and on investment under market access do not apply to telecommunications services.

- New and improved commitments by the entire EC as offered in its revised DDA offer.

- Improved conditions for CSS/Mode 4 by SE for computer and related services in the horizontal section and new commitments by SE for CSS/Mode 4 for CPC 845 and 849.

- Market Access and National Treatment commitments by CY and MT in the horizontal section and in the sector-specific section in the sectors where CY and MT have undertaken Mode 3 commitments.

- Removal of the national treatment limitation for AT in Mode 3 on branches of foreign joint stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

- Footnote on coverage indicating that this limitation does not apply to telecommunication and computer and related services.

*Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471) (pages 233 and 234). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (CPC 641,642 and 643) (page 232). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) – (x) (e) transferable securities (page 223). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Insurance and Insurance-Related Services - (i) Direct insurance (including co-insurance): (a) life and (b) non-life (pages 211 and 212). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Research and Development Services - b) R & D Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) (pages 89 and 90). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Computer and Related Services - a)Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841) (page 82) - b) Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) (page 83) - c) Data Processing Services (CPC 843) (page 85) - d) Data Base Services (CPC 844) (page 86). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Cyprus' and Malta's commitments on mode 4 under national treatment (pages 25, 29 and 32 of S/SECRET/8). These commitments are withdrawn.

*Services auxiliary to all modes of transport - Cargo handling services (page 259). A market access limitation under mode 3 has been introduced for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*Air Transport - Computer Reservations System (page 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Hungary did not include the national treatment limitation on the obligations of parent or participating carriers in respect of a CRS controlled by an air carrier of one or more third countries.

*Air Transport - Sales and Marketing (pages 247 and 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Estonia did not include the national treatment limitation on distribution through CRS of air transport services provided by CRS parent carrier.

*Air Transport - Rental of aircraft with crew (page 246). Two market access limitations (one under modes 1 and 2 and another one under mode 3) are introduced for Poland.

*Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) (pages 193, 213 and 217). The market access limitations indicating that “the establishment of a specialised management company is required to perform the activities of management of unit trusts and investment companies” and that “only firms having their registered office in the Community can act as depositories of the assets of investment funds”, both under mode 1 and 3, were not included in the schedule of Czech Republic as regards mode 3, Estonia (not included in mode 1 nor in mode 3), Latvia as regards mode 3, Lithuania as regards mode 1, Hungary as regards mode 3 and Slovakia as regards mode 3 . These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*Education services (page 156): limitation to “only privately funded services”. This limitation was not included in the schedule of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia (only not included with regard to adult education services) and Slovakia. This limitation is now extended to these Member States. In the case of Slovenia, such an extension only refers to adult education services.

*Services incidental to manufacturing (pages 109 and 110). The commitments included in the schedule of Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are withdrawn.

*Rental/Leasing services without operators - Relating to Aircraft (page 95). The market access limitation under mode 2 is extended to Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden and the market access limitation under mode 3 is extended to Estonia, Hungary and Austria.

*Latvia’s market access commitment on mode 4 – contractual services suppliers (CSS) (page 33). The schedule of specific commitments of Latvia did not include the limitation that the temporary entry and stay within the Member State concerned shall be for a period of not more than three months in any 12 months period. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – establishment of commercial presence (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Lithuania did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public or supplying services. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – service sellers (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Poland did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Intra-company transfers (ICT) (page 26). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia did not include the limitation that the receiving entity must be effectively providing like services in the territory of the Community Member State concerned. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitation on subsidies under mode 4 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Malta and Slovakia did not include the limitation on subsidies under mode 4 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidies under mode 3 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden included only part of the limitations on subsidies on mode 3 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidiaries under mode 3 (page 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*National treatment limitations on branches, agencies and representative offices under mode 3 (pages 9 and 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*Market access entry (page 9): “In all EC Member States services considered as public utilities at a national or local level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators”. This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

9.Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

8.In view of the foregoing, the proposed modifications and the agreed compensatory adjustments are incorporated into the EC's draft GATS consolidated schedule, which results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and Australia.

7.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Australia was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

6.During such negotiations, the EC and Australia have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the modifications and withdrawals contained in document S/SECRET/8. Annex I and II of this report, together with the joint letter to which it is attached, constitute the Agreement between the EC and Australia with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

5.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006).

4.Australia submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/164 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/225 with regard to S/SECRET/9. The EC and Australia entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

3.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, fourteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

2.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, eighteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

1.On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications (hereafter "the proposed modifications"), pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS. The proposed modifications are contained in Annex I.

Pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the GATS (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999), the EC submits the following report:

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Report on the result of the negotiations conducted in accordance of Article XXI:2(a) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

This letter and Annex I and II of the report attached to it constitute the Agreement between the EC and Australia with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the Lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

The Report on the result of these negotiations, which is attached to this letter, includes (1) the proposed modifications in the notifications referred to above, (2) the agreed compensatory adjustments with regard to the modifications or withdrawals notified in S/SECRET/8, and (3) the draft consolidated schedule of specific commitments that results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and Australia.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Australia was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006). During such negotiations, the EC and Australia have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the withdrawals and modifications contained in document S/SECRET/8.

Following the submission of each Communication, Australia submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/164 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/225 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Australia entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications, pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS.

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Joint letter from the European Communities and its Member States on the one part, and Australia, on the other part, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the Implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999)

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The following abbreviations are used to indicate the Member States:

- New (less restrictive) language for IT's ENT in mode 3 on bars, cafes and restaurants, including a commitment on its non-discriminatory nature.

- FI: change in Mode 3 permanent residency requirements (“At least one of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the managing director shall have their permanent residence in the European Community…" instead of “At least one half of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the delegates, the managing director, the holder of the procuration and the person entitled to sign in the name of the credit institution shall have their place of residence in the European Community…”).

- A clarificatory footnote indicating that Sub-sectors 2.C.h) to 2.C.m) of the Services Sectoral Classification List contained in MTN,GNS/W/120 (value-added services) and Sub-sectors 2.C.a) to 2.C.g) of that List are included here. Sub-sector 2.C.o) of that List is also included here to the extent that it falls under this definition. For the purpose of this schedule, subsector 2C.n of that list (on-line information and/or data processing) is reflected in this schedule of Commitments under 1.B (Computer and related services).

- A clarification from FI that its three Mode 3 horizontal limitations on legal entities under market access, on subsidiaries, branches, agencies and representative offices under national treatment, and on investment under market access do not apply to telecommunications services.

- New and improved commitments by the entire EC as offered in its revised DDA offer.

- Improved conditions for CSS/Mode 4 by SE for computer and related services in the horizontal section and new commitments by SE for CSS/Mode 4 for CPC 845 and 849.

- Market Access and National Treatment commitments by CY and MT in the horizontal section and in the sector-specific section in the sectors where CY and MT have undertaken Mode 3 commitments.

- Removal of the national treatment limitation for AT in Mode 3 on branches of foreign joint stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

- Footnote on coverage indicating that this limitation does not apply to telecommunication and computer and related services.

*Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471) (pages 233 and 234). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (CPC 641,642 and 643) (page 232). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) – (x) (e) transferable securities (page 223). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Insurance and Insurance-Related Services - (i) Direct insurance (including co-insurance): (a) life and (b) non-life (pages 211 and 212). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Research and Development Services - b) R & D Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) (pages 89 and 90). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Computer and Related Services - a)Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841) (page 82) - b) Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) (page 83) - c) Data Processing Services (CPC 843) (page 85) - d) Data Base Services (CPC 844) (page 86). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Cyprus' and Malta's commitments on mode 4 under national treatment (pages 25, 29 and 32 of S/SECRET/8). These commitments are withdrawn.

*Services auxiliary to all modes of transport - Cargo handling services (page 259). A market access limitation under mode 3 has been introduced for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*Air Transport - Computer Reservations System (page 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Hungary did not include the national treatment limitation on the obligations of parent or participating carriers in respect of a CRS controlled by an air carrier of one or more third countries.

*Air Transport - Sales and Marketing (pages 247 and 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Estonia did not include the national treatment limitation on distribution through CRS of air transport services provided by CRS parent carrier.

*Air Transport - Rental of aircraft with crew (page 246). Two market access limitations (one under modes 1 and 2 and another one under mode 3) are introduced for Poland.

*Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) (pages 193, 213 and 217). The market access limitations indicating that “the establishment of a specialised management company is required to perform the activities of management of unit trusts and investment companies” and that “only firms having their registered office in the Community can act as depositories of the assets of investment funds”, both under mode 1 and 3, were not included in the schedule of Czech Republic as regards mode 3, Estonia (not included in mode 1 nor in mode 3), Latvia as regards mode 3, Lithuania as regards mode 1, Hungary as regards mode 3 and Slovakia as regards mode 3 . These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*Education services (page 156): limitation to “only privately funded services”. This limitation was not included in the schedule of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia (only not included with regard to adult education services) and Slovakia. This limitation is now extended to these Member States. In the case of Slovenia, such an extension only refers to adult education services.

*Services incidental to manufacturing (pages 109 and 110). The commitments included in the schedule of Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are withdrawn.

*Rental/Leasing services without operators - Relating to Aircraft (page 95). The market access limitation under mode 2 is extended to Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden and the market access limitation under mode 3 is extended to Estonia, Hungary and Austria.

*Latvia’s market access commitment on mode 4 – contractual services suppliers (CSS) (page 33). The schedule of specific commitments of Latvia did not include the limitation that the temporary entry and stay within the Member State concerned shall be for a period of not more than three months in any 12 months period. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – establishment of commercial presence (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Lithuania did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public or supplying services. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – service sellers (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Poland did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Intra-company transfers (ICT) (page 26). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia did not include the limitation that the receiving entity must be effectively providing like services in the territory of the Community Member State concerned. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitation on subsidies under mode 4 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Malta and Slovakia did not include the limitation on subsidies under mode 4 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidies under mode 3 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden included only part of the limitations on subsidies on mode 3 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidiaries under mode 3 (page 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*National treatment limitations on branches, agencies and representative offices under mode 3 (pages 9 and 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*Market access entry (page 9): “In all EC Member States services considered as public utilities at a national or local level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators”. This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

9.Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

8.In view of the foregoing, the proposed modifications and the agreed compensatory adjustments are incorporated into the EC's draft GATS consolidated schedule, which results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and the Argentina.

7.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Argentina was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

6.During such negotiations, the EC and Argentina have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the modifications and withdrawals contained in document S/SECRET/8. Annex I and II of this report, together with the joint letter to which it is attached, constitute the Agreement between the EC and Argentina with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

5.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006).

4.Argentina submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/175 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/228 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Argentina entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

3.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, fourteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

2.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, eighteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

1.On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications (hereafter "the proposed modifications"), pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS. The proposed modifications are contained in Annex I.

Pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the GATS (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999), the EC submits the following report:

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Report on the result of the negotiations conducted in accordance of Article XXI:2(a) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

This letter and Annex I and II of the report attached to it constitute the Agreement between the EC and Argentina with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the Lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

The Report on the result of these negotiations, which is attached to this letter, includes (1) the proposed modifications in the notifications referred to above, (2) the agreed compensatory adjustments with regard to the modifications or withdrawals notified in S/SECRET/8, and (3) the draft consolidated schedule of specific commitments that results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and Argentina.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Argentina was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006). During such negotiations, the EC and Argentina have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the withdrawals and modifications contained in document S/SECRET/8.

Following the submission of each Communication, Argentina submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/175 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/228 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Argentina entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications, pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS.

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Joint letter from the European Communities and its Member States on the one part, and Argentina, on the other part, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999)

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The following abbreviations are used to indicate the Member States:

- New (less restrictive) language for IT's ENT in mode 3 on bars, cafes and restaurants, including a commitment on its non-discriminatory nature.

- FI: change in Mode 3 permanent residency requirements (“At least one of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the managing director shall have their permanent residence in the European Community…" instead of “At least one half of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the delegates, the managing director, the holder of the procuration and the person entitled to sign in the name of the credit institution shall have their place of residence in the European Community…”).

- A clarificatory footnote indicating that Sub-sectors 2.C.h) to 2.C.m) of the Services Sectoral Classification List contained in MTN,GNS/W/120 (value-added services) and Sub-sectors 2.C.a) to 2.C.g) of that List are included here. Sub-sector 2.C.o) of that List is also included here to the extent that it falls under this definition. For the purpose of this schedule, subsector 2C.n of that list (on-line information and/or data processing) is reflected in this schedule of Commitments under 1.B (Computer and related services).

- A clarification from FI that its three Mode 3 horizontal limitations on legal entities under market access, on subsidiaries, branches, agencies and representative offices under national treatment, and on investment under market access do not apply to telecommunications services.

- New and improved commitments by the entire EC as offered in its revised DDA offer.

- Improved conditions for CSS/Mode 4 by SE for computer and related services in the horizontal section and new commitments by SE for CSS/Mode 4 for CPC 845 and 849.

- Market Access and National Treatment commitments by CY and MT in the horizontal section and in the sector-specific section in the sectors where CY and MT have undertaken Mode 3 commitments.

- Removal of the national treatment limitation for AT in Mode 3 on branches of foreign joint stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

- Footnote on coverage indicating that this limitation does not apply to telecommunication and computer and related services.

*Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471) (pages 233 and 234). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (CPC 641,642 and 643) (page 232). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) – (x) (e) transferable securities (page 223). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Insurance and Insurance-Related Services - (i) Direct insurance (including co-insurance): (a) life and (b) non-life (pages 211 and 212). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Research and Development Services - b) R & D Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) (pages 89 and 90). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Computer and Related Services - a)Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841) (page 82) - b) Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) (page 83) - c) Data Processing Services (CPC 843) (page 85) - d) Data Base Services (CPC 844) (page 86). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Cyprus' and Malta's commitments on mode 4 under national treatment (pages 25, 29 and 32 of S/SECRET/8). These commitments are withdrawn.

*Services auxiliary to all modes of transport - Cargo handling services (page 259). A market access limitation under mode 3 has been introduced for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*Air Transport - Computer Reservations System (page 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Hungary did not include the national treatment limitation on the obligations of parent or participating carriers in respect of a CRS controlled by an air carrier of one or more third countries.

*Air Transport - Sales and Marketing (pages 247 and 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Estonia did not include the national treatment limitation on distribution through CRS of air transport services provided by CRS parent carrier.

*Air Transport - Rental of aircraft with crew (page 246). Two market access limitations (one under modes 1 and 2 and another one under mode 3) are introduced for Poland.

*Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) (pages 193, 213 and 217). The market access limitations indicating that “the establishment of a specialised management company is required to perform the activities of management of unit trusts and investment companies” and that “only firms having their registered office in the Community can act as depositories of the assets of investment funds”, both under mode 1 and 3, were not included in the schedule of Czech Republic as regards mode 3, Estonia (not included in mode 1 nor in mode 3), Latvia as regards mode 3, Lithuania as regards mode 1, Hungary as regards mode 3 and Slovakia as regards mode 3 . These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*Education services (page 156): limitation to “only privately funded services”. This limitation was not included in the schedule of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia (only not included with regard to adult education services) and Slovakia. This limitation is now extended to these Member States. In the case of Slovenia, such an extension only refers to adult education services.

*Services incidental to manufacturing (pages 109 and 110). The commitments included in the schedule of Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are withdrawn.

*Rental/Leasing services without operators - Relating to Aircraft (page 95). The market access limitation under mode 2 is extended to Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden and the market access limitation under mode 3 is extended to Estonia, Hungary and Austria.

*Latvia’s market access commitment on mode 4 – contractual services suppliers (CSS) (page 33). The schedule of specific commitments of Latvia did not include the limitation that the temporary entry and stay within the Member State concerned shall be for a period of not more than three months in any 12 months period. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – establishment of commercial presence (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Lithuania did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public or supplying services. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – service sellers (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Poland did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Intra-company transfers (ICT) (page 26). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia did not include the limitation that the receiving entity must be effectively providing like services in the territory of the Community Member State concerned. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitation on subsidies under mode 4 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Malta and Slovakia did not include the limitation on subsidies under mode 4 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidies under mode 3 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden included only part of the limitations on subsidies on mode 3 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidiaries under mode 3 (page 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*National treatment limitations on branches, agencies and representative offices under mode 3 (pages 9 and 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*Market access entry (page 9): “In all EC Member States services considered as public utilities at a national or local level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators”. This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

9.Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

8.In view of the foregoing, the proposed modifications and the agreed compensatory adjustments are incorporated into the EC's draft GATS consolidated schedule, which results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and the Brazil.

7.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Brazil was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

6.During such negotiations, the EC and Brazil have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the modifications and withdrawals contained in document S/SECRET/8. Annex I and II of this report, together with the joint letter to which it is attached, constitute the Agreement between the EC and Brazil with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

5.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006).

4.Brazil submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/171 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/224 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Brazil entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

3.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, fourteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

2.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, eighteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

1.On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications (hereafter "the proposed modifications"), pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS. The proposed modifications are contained in Annex I.

Pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the GATS (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999), the EC submits the following report:

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Report on the result of the negotiations conducted in accordance of Article XXI:2(a) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

This letter and Annex I and II of the report attached to it constitute the Agreement between the EC and Brazil with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the Lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

The Report on the result of these negotiations, which is attached to this letter, includes (1) the proposed modifications in the notifications referred to above, (2) the agreed compensatory adjustments with regard to the modifications or withdrawals notified in S/SECRET/8, and (3) the draft consolidated schedule of specific commitments that results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and Brazil.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Brazil was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006). During such negotiations, the EC and Brazil have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the withdrawals and modifications contained in document S/SECRET/8.

Following the submission of each Communication, Brazil submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/171 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/224 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Brazil entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications, pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS.

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Joint letter from the European Communities and its Member States on the one part, and Brazil, on the other part, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999)

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The following abbreviations are used to indicate the Member States:

- New (less restrictive) language for IT's ENT in mode 3 on bars, cafes and restaurants, including a commitment on its non-discriminatory nature.

- FI: change in Mode 3 permanent residency requirements (“At least one of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the managing director shall have their permanent residence in the European Community…" instead of “At least one half of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the delegates, the managing director, the holder of the procuration and the person entitled to sign in the name of the credit institution shall have their place of residence in the European Community…”).

- A clarificatory footnote indicating that Sub-sectors 2.C.h) to 2.C.m) of the Services Sectoral Classification List contained in MTN,GNS/W/120 (value-added services) and Sub-sectors 2.C.a) to 2.C.g) of that List are included here. Sub-sector 2.C.o) of that List is also included here to the extent that it falls under this definition. For the purpose of this schedule, subsector 2C.n of that list (on-line information and/or data processing) is reflected in this schedule of Commitments under 1.B (Computer and related services).

- A clarification from FI that its three Mode 3 horizontal limitations on legal entities under market access, on subsidiaries, branches, agencies and representative offices under national treatment, and on investment under market access do not apply to telecommunications services.

- New and improved commitments by the entire EC as offered in its revised DDA offer.

- Improved conditions for CSS/Mode 4 by SE for computer and related services in the horizontal section and new commitments by SE for CSS/Mode 4 for CPC 845 and 849.

- Market Access and National Treatment commitments by CY and MT in the horizontal section and in the sector-specific section in the sectors where CY and MT have undertaken Mode 3 commitments.

- Removal of the national treatment limitation for AT in Mode 3 on branches of foreign joint stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

- Footnote on coverage indicating that this limitation does not apply to telecommunication and computer and related services.

*Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471) (pages 233 and 234). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (CPC 641,642 and 643) (page 232). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) – (x) (e) transferable securities (page 223). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Insurance and Insurance-Related Services - (i) Direct insurance (including co-insurance): (a) life and (b) non-life (pages 211 and 212). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Research and Development Services - b) R & D Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) (pages 89 and 90). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Computer and Related Services - a)Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841) (page 82) - b) Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) (page 83) - c) Data Processing Services (CPC 843) (page 85) - d) Data Base Services (CPC 844) (page 86). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Cyprus' and Malta's commitments on mode 4 under national treatment (pages 25, 29 and 32 of S/SECRET/8). These commitments are withdrawn.

*Services auxiliary to all modes of transport - Cargo handling services (page 259). A market access limitation under mode 3 has been introduced for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*Air Transport - Computer Reservations System (page 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Hungary did not include the national treatment limitation on the obligations of parent or participating carriers in respect of a CRS controlled by an air carrier of one or more third countries.

*Air Transport - Sales and Marketing (pages 247 and 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Estonia did not include the national treatment limitation on distribution through CRS of air transport services provided by CRS parent carrier.

*Air Transport - Rental of aircraft with crew (page 246). Two market access limitations (one under modes 1 and 2 and another one under mode 3) are introduced for Poland.

*Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) (pages 193, 213 and 217). The market access limitations indicating that “the establishment of a specialised management company is required to perform the activities of management of unit trusts and investment companies” and that “only firms having their registered office in the Community can act as depositories of the assets of investment funds”, both under mode 1 and 3, were not included in the schedule of Czech Republic as regards mode 3, Estonia (not included in mode 1 nor in mode 3), Latvia as regards mode 3, Lithuania as regards mode 1, Hungary as regards mode 3 and Slovakia as regards mode 3 . These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*Education services (page 156): limitation to “only privately funded services”. This limitation was not included in the schedule of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia (only not included with regard to adult education services) and Slovakia. This limitation is now extended to these Member States. In the case of Slovenia, such an extension only refers to adult education services.

*Services incidental to manufacturing (pages 109 and 110). The commitments included in the schedule of Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are withdrawn.

*Rental/Leasing services without operators - Relating to Aircraft (page 95). The market access limitation under mode 2 is extended to Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden and the market access limitation under mode 3 is extended to Estonia, Hungary and Austria.

*Latvia’s market access commitment on mode 4 – contractual services suppliers (CSS) (page 33). The schedule of specific commitments of Latvia did not include the limitation that the temporary entry and stay within the Member State concerned shall be for a period of not more than three months in any 12 months period. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – establishment of commercial presence (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Lithuania did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public or supplying services. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – service sellers (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Poland did not include the limitation that those representatives will not be engaged in making direct sales to the general public. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Intra-company transfers (ICT) (page 26). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia did not include the limitation that the receiving entity must be effectively providing like services in the territory of the Community Member State concerned. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitation on subsidies under mode 4 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, Malta and Slovakia did not include the limitation on subsidies under mode 4 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. This limitation is now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidies under mode 3 (page 13). The schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden included only part of the limitations on subsidies on mode 3 inscribed in the schedule of the EC and its Member States. These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*National treatment limitations on subsidiaries under mode 3 (page 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*National treatment limitations on branches, agencies and representative offices under mode 3 (pages 9 and 10). This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

*Market access entry (page 9): “In all EC Member States services considered as public utilities at a national or local level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators”. This entry was not included in the schedule of specific commitments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden. This limitation now applies to all Member States.

9.Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

8.In view of the foregoing, the proposed modifications and the agreed compensatory adjustments are incorporated into the EC's draft GATS consolidated schedule, which results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and the Canada.

7.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Canada was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

6.During such negotiations, the EC and Canada have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the modifications and withdrawals contained in document S/SECRET/8. Annex I and II of this report, together with the joint letter to which it is attached, constitute the Agreement between the EC and Canada with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

5.With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006).

4.Canada submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/165 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/216 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Canada entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

3.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, fourteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

2.Following the submission of the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, and pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, eighteen WTO Members (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States) submitted a respective claim of interest.

1.On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications (hereafter "the proposed modifications"), pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS. The proposed modifications are contained in Annex I.

Pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the GATS (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999), the EC submits the following report:

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Report on the result of the negotiations conducted in accordance of Article XXI:2(a) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Pursuant to the procedures referred to in paragraphs 20 to 22 of S/L/80, the EC will transmit, to the Secretariat for circulation, the draft consolidated schedule for certification by 14 September 2006, provided that an agreement has been signed with all affected Members, or the period foreseen in paragraph 7 of S/L/80 has expired, and no arbitration has been requested. The results of the negotiations are to enter into force, after completion of the certification procedures, on a date to be specified by the EC following completion of the EC's internal approval procedures, which the EC endeavours to accelerate as much as possible. The modifications and withdrawals proposed in documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 shall not enter into force until all of the compensatory adjustments indicated in Annex II have entered into force.

This letter and Annex I and II of the report attached to it constitute the Agreement between the EC and Canada with regard to S/SECRET/8 for purposes of Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to modify the Lists of Article II Exemptions of the EC and its Member States. The Agreement shall not be interpreted to affect the Parties' rights and obligations under Article VIII of the GATS.

The Report on the result of these negotiations, which is attached to this letter, includes (1) the proposed modifications in the notifications referred to above, (2) the agreed compensatory adjustments with regard to the modifications or withdrawals notified in S/SECRET/8, and (3) the draft consolidated schedule of specific commitments that results from merging existing schedules of commitments of the EC and its Member States and from inserting therein both the modifications or withdrawals of commitments notified by the EC under documents S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9 and the compensatory adjustments agreed between the EC and Canada.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/9, no agreement between the EC and Canada was reached by the end of the period provided for negotiations and no affected Member referred the matter to arbitration within the applicable deadline pursuant to paragraph 7 of S/L/80. Pursuant to Article XXI:3(b) of the GATS and subject to completion of the procedures set out in paragraphs 20-22 of S/L/80, the EC shall be free to implement the modifications and withdrawals proposed in document S/SECRET/9.

With regard to the procedure initiated by the notification contained in document S/SECRET/8, the initial period for the negotiations, which expired on 26 October 2004, was extended (by mutual agreement) five times (until 26 April 2005, until 27 February 2006, until 1 June 2006, until 1 July and until 17 July 2006). During such negotiations, the EC and Canada have agreed on compensatory adjustments related to the withdrawals and modifications contained in document S/SECRET/8.

Following the submission of each Communication, Canada submitted two respective claims of interest pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS (S/L/165 with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/L/216 with regard to S/SECRET/9). The EC and Canada entered into negotiations pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS with regard to S/SECRET/8 and S/SECRET/9.

On 28 May 2004 and on 4 April 2005, the EC submitted two respective Communications pursuant to Article V of the GATS (circulated as document S/SECRET/8, dated 11 June 2004, and as document S/SECRET/9, dated 12 April 2005), whereby it notified its intention to modify or withdraw the specific commitments included in the list attached to the communications, pursuant to Article V:5 of the GATS and in accordance with the terms of Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS.

the modifications proposed in the GATS Schedules of the European Communities and its Member States (hereafter the EC) to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Communities

Joint letter from the European Communities and its Member States on the one part, and Canada, on the other part, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (S/L/80 of 29 October 1999)

on the conclusion of the relevant agreements under Article XXI GATS with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Hong Kong China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and the United States, on the necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union

The following abbreviations are used to indicate the Member States:

- New (less restrictive) language for IT's ENT in mode 3 on bars, cafes and restaurants, including a commitment on its non-discriminatory nature.

- FI: change in Mode 3 permanent residency requirements (“At least one of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the managing director shall have their permanent residence in the European Community…" instead of “At least one half of the founders, the members of the board of directors, the supervisory board and the delegates, the managing director, the holder of the procuration and the person entitled to sign in the name of the credit institution shall have their place of residence in the European Community…”).

- A clarificatory footnote indicating that Sub-sectors 2.C.h) to 2.C.m) of the Services Sectoral Classification List contained in MTN,GNS/W/120 (value-added services) and Sub-sectors 2.C.a) to 2.C.g) of that List are included here. Sub-sector 2.C.o) of that List is also included here to the extent that it falls under this definition. For the purpose of this schedule, subsector 2C.n of that list (on-line information and/or data processing) is reflected in this schedule of Commitments under 1.B (Computer and related services).

- A clarification from FI that its three Mode 3 horizontal limitations on legal entities under market access, on subsidiaries, branches, agencies and representative offices under national treatment, and on investment under market access do not apply to telecommunications services.

- New and improved commitments by the entire EC as offered in its revised DDA offer.

- Improved conditions for CSS/Mode 4 by SE for computer and related services in the horizontal section and new commitments by SE for CSS/Mode 4 for CPC 845 and 849.

- Market Access and National Treatment commitments by CY and MT in the horizontal section and in the sector-specific section in the sectors where CY and MT have undertaken Mode 3 commitments.

- Removal of the national treatment limitation for AT in Mode 3 on branches of foreign joint stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and limited liability companies (Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

- Footnote on coverage indicating that this limitation does not apply to telecommunication and computer and related services.

*Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Services (CPC 7471) (pages 233 and 234). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Hotels, Restaurants and Catering (CPC 641,642 and 643) (page 232). Malta's commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Banking and Other Financial Services (excluding insurance) – (x) (e) transferable securities (page 223). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Insurance and Insurance-Related Services - (i) Direct insurance (including co-insurance): (a) life and (b) non-life (pages 211 and 212). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Research and Development Services - b) R & D Services on Social Sciences and Humanities (CPC 852) (pages 89 and 90). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Computer and Related Services - a)Consultancy Services related to the Installation of Computer Hardware (CPC 841) (page 82) - b) Software Implementation Services (CPC 842) (page 83) - c) Data Processing Services (CPC 843) (page 85) - d) Data Base Services (CPC 844) (page 86). Cyprus' commitments on mode 4 (ICT, BV and CSS) under national treatment are withdrawn.

*Cyprus' and Malta's commitments on mode 4 under national treatment (pages 25, 29 and 32 of S/SECRET/8). These commitments are withdrawn.

*Services auxiliary to all modes of transport - Cargo handling services (page 259). A market access limitation under mode 3 has been introduced for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

*Air Transport - Computer Reservations System (page 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Hungary did not include the national treatment limitation on the obligations of parent or participating carriers in respect of a CRS controlled by an air carrier of one or more third countries.

*Air Transport - Sales and Marketing (pages 247 and 248). The schedule of specific commitments of Estonia did not include the national treatment limitation on distribution through CRS of air transport services provided by CRS parent carrier.

*Air Transport - Rental of aircraft with crew (page 246). Two market access limitations (one under modes 1 and 2 and another one under mode 3) are introduced for Poland.

*Banking and other financial services (excluding insurance) (pages 193, 213 and 217). The market access limitations indicating that “the establishment of a specialised management company is required to perform the activities of management of unit trusts and investment companies” and that “only firms having their registered office in the Community can act as depositories of the assets of investment funds”, both under mode 1 and 3, were not included in the schedule of Czech Republic as regards mode 3, Estonia (not included in mode 1 nor in mode 3), Latvia as regards mode 3, Lithuania as regards mode 1, Hungary as regards mode 3 and Slovakia as regards mode 3 . These limitations are now extended to these Member States.

*Education services (page 156): limitation to “only privately funded services”. This limitation was not included in the schedule of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia (only not included with regard to adult education services) and Slovakia. This limitation is now extended to these Member States. In the case of Slovenia, such an extension only refers to adult education services.

*Services incidental to manufacturing (pages 109 and 110). The commitments included in the schedule of Latvia, Lithuania and Austria are withdrawn.

*Rental/Leasing services without operators - Relating to Aircraft (page 95). The market access limitation under mode 2 is extended to Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden and the market access limitation under mode 3 is extended to Estonia, Hungary and Austria.

*Latvia’s market access commitment on mode 4 – contractual services suppliers (CSS) (page 33). The schedule of specific commitments of Latvia did not include the limitation that the temporary entry and stay within the Member State concerned shall be for a period of not more than three months in any 12 months period. This limitation is now extended to this Member State.

*Market access entry on mode 4 - Business visitors (BV) – establishment of commercial presence (page 30). The schedule of specific commitments of Lithuania did not include the limitation