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Global Services Network Alert Quad Group, Others Call for Progress in Services Talks
The Quad Group – Canada, EU, Japan, and the US - along with a dozen other developed and developing countries, issued a joint statement urging progress on the WTO services negotiations. The statement said that the signatories “strongly believe that it is in every Member’s interest to participate in the services negotiations, both to secure a positive outcome on services itself and in support of wider DDA objectives.” For a copy of the statement, click here: http://www.ogproject.org/csi/112004.doc.
Speech by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson
In a November 24 speech to the European Parliament, new EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson emphasized the need to make progress on a balanced, ambitious WTO agenda, with the effective participation of all members. He also called for improving the functioning and transparency of the WTO. His speech is available at http://europa.eu.int/comm/commission_barroso/mandelson/speeches_articles/temp_icentre.cfm?temp=sppm005_en.
Annual Reports From Committee on Trade in Financial Services, Working Parties on Domestic Regulation and GATS Rules
A series of reports to the WTO Council for Trade in Services has been made available on the WTO website. These include the Annual Report of the Committee on Trade in Financial Services (S/FIN/12), available here; the Report of the Working Party on Domestic Regulation (S/WPDR/7), available here; and, the Annual Report of the Working Party on GATS Rules (S/WPGR/14), available here.
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