Update on WTO General Council process

In preparation for the General Council meeting starting today (27 July), two meetings were held at the WTO yesterday (26 July) afternoon on an 'informal basis'.

At the 3.00pm meeting on agriculture, the chair of the agriculture negotiationsreported that there had been negotiations among a small group of countries in thepast week. There had not been agreement among them. He did not go intodetails of the substance. He indicated he will prepare a report on the state ofnegotiations to a meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee to be held onThursday. There will not be any 'texts' of any new additional points agreed onsince July 2004 package last year.

At the 5.00pm meeting on NAMA, the chair of the NAMA negotiations alsoreported that there had not been agreement on key aspects such as theformula to reduce tariff and how to treat unbound tariffs. Thus there will alsonot be any new agreed 'texts'. He can be expected to also give a report tothe TNC meeting on Thursday on the state of negotiations.

Discussions are still going on, on five special and differential treatment proposalsrelating to LDCs. There is some expectation that at least some of theseproposals will be agreed to before the end of this week.

The General Council will meet today to discuss 8 issues. On Thursday theTrade Negotiations Committee will resume its suspended meeting. It is atthis TNC meeting that the reports on agriculture, NAMA, services, S and D willbe first presented and discussed.

On Friday will be the resumed General Council meeting. It will hear a reporton the TNC meeting. There could be more discussions on the substance.

The Director General designate Pascal Lamy is expected to speak to theGeneral Council on Friday. According to some people, he may announcethe persons he will appoint as deputy directors general.