The Council for
Trade in Services,Having regard to the Annex on
Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications,
Having
regard to the
final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications on the negotiations
conducted under the terms of the Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications
adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994,
Decides as
follows:
To adopt the
text of the "Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services"
(hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to take note of the Schedules of Commitments
and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Report of
the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications.
Commencing
immediately and continuing until the date of entry into force of the Protocol Members
concerned shall, to the fullest extent consistent with their existing legislation and
regulations, not take measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings
resulting from these negotiations.
During the
period from 15 January to 15 February 1997, a Member which has a Schedule of Commitments
annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of
Article II Exemptions. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List
of Article II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period.
A Group on
basic telecommunications reporting to the Council for Trade in Services shall conduct
consultations on the implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing its work no later than
90 days from the adoption of the Decision.
The Council
for Trade in Services shall monitor the acceptance of the Protocol by Members concerned
and shall, at the request of a Member, examine any concerns raised regarding the
application of paragraph 2 above.
Members of
the World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules of
Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Article II may submit, for approval by the
Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II relating to
basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. |
