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Annex A back to top
Framework for Establishing Modalities in Agriculture
Participants recognize that reforms in all areas of the negotiations
are inter-related and agree to conclude the work to establish
modalities for the further commitments, including provisions for
special and differential treatment and taking into account non-trade
concerns as provided for in the Agreement on Agriculture, within the
timeframe specified in paragraph 4 of the Cancún Ministerial Text,
on the basis of the following framework:
Domestic Support
1. The Doha Ministerial Declaration
calls for “substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support”. All
developed countries shall achieve reductions in trade-distorting support significantly
larger than in the Uruguay Round, that will result in Members having the higher
trade-distorting subsidies making greater efforts.
Reductions shall take place under the following
parameters:
1.1. Reduce the Final Bound Total AMS
in the range of […]% - […]%.
1.2 Reduce
de minimis by […]%.
1.3 Article 6.5 of the Agreement on Agriculture
will be modified so as Members may have recourse to the following measures:
(i) direct payments if:
— such payments are based on
fixed areas and yields; or
— such payments are made on 85%
or less of the base level of production; or
— livestock payments are made
on a fixed number of head.
(ii) support under 1.3(i) shall
not exceed 5% of the total value of agriculture production in the 2000-2002
period by […]. Subsequently, such support shall be subject to an annual linear
reduction of […]% for a further period of […] years.
1.4 The sum of allowed support under
the AMS, support under paragraph 1.3(i) and de minimis shall be reduced
in the first period referred to in paragraph 1.3(ii) so that it is significantly
less than the sum of de minimis, payments under Article 6.5, and the
final bound AMS level, in 2000.
1.5 Green Box criteria remain under negotiation.
Special and differential treatment
1.6 Having regard to their development, food security and/or livelihood
security needs, developing countries shall benefit from special and differential
treatment, including lower reductions of trade-distorting domestic support under
paragraphs 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4 above, longer implementation periods and with respect
to the provisions of Article 6.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture and of the
Green Box.
1.7 Developing countries shall be exempt from the requirement to
reduce de minimis trade-distorting domestic support.
Market Access
2. The Doha Ministerial Declaration
calls for “substantial improvements in market access.” Negotiations should
therefore provide increased access opportunities for all and in particular for
the developing countries. To achieve this, commitments shall be based on the
following parameters:
2.1 The formula applicable for tariff
reduction by developed countries shall be a blended formula under which each
element will contribute to substantial improvement in market access. The formula
shall be as follows:
(i) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to a […]% average tariff
cut and a minimum of […]%; for these import-sensitive tariff lines market access
increase will result from a combination of tariff cuts and TRQs.
(ii) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to a Swiss formula coefficient
[…].
(iii) […]% of tariff lines shall be duty-free.
2.2 For the tariff lines that exceed
a maximum of […]% developed-country participants shall either reduce them to
that maximum, or ensure effective additional market access in these or other
areas through a request-offer process that could include TRQs.
2.3 The issue of tariff escalation will
be effectively addressed.
2.4 The use and duration of the special
agricultural safeguard (SSG) remains under negotiation.
Special and differential treatment
2.5 Having regard to their development,
food security and/or livelihood security needs, developing countries shall benefit
from special and differential treatment, including lower tariff reductions and
longer implementation periods.
2.6 The formula applicable for tariff
reductions by developing countries shall be as follows:
(i) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to a […]% average tariff
cut and a minimum of […]%; for these import-sensitive tariff lines market access
increase will result from a combination of tariff cuts and TRQs. Within this
category, developing countries shall have additional flexibility under conditions
to be determined to designate Special Products (SP) which would only be subject
to a linear cut of a minimum of […]% and no new commitments regarding TRQs.
(ii) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to […]% average tariff cut
and a minimum of […]%.
(iii) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to […]% average tariff cut
and a minimum of […]%.
or in place of (ii) and (iii) above
(ii) […]% of tariff lines shall be subject to a Swiss formula coefficient
of […].
2.7 The applicability and/or extent of
the provisions of paragraph 2.2 above to developing countries remain under negotiation,
taking into account their development needs.
2.8 A special agricultural safeguard
(SSM) shall be established for use by developing countries subject to conditions
and for products to be determined.
2.9 All developed countries will seek
to provide duty-free access for at least […]% of imports from developing countries
through a combination of MFN and preferential access.
2.10 Participants undertake to take
account of the importance of preferential access for developing countries.
Export Competition
3. The Doha Ministerial Declaration
calls for “reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies.” To achieve this, disciplines shall be established on export subsidies, export
credits, export state trading enterprises, and food aid programs. Reduction
commitments shall be applied in a parallel manner according to the following
parameters:
3.1 With regard to export subsidies:
— Members shall commit to eliminate over a […] year period export
subsidies for the following products of particular interest to developing countries
[…];
— for the remaining products, Members shall commit to reduce, with
a view to phasing out, budgetary and quantity allowances for export subsidies.
3.2 With regard to export credits:
— Members shall commit to eliminate, over the same period
as in the first indent of paragraph 3.1 the trade-distorting element of export
credits through disciplines that reduce the repayment terms to commercial practice
([…] months), for the same products in the second indent of paragraph 3.1 in
a manner that is equivalent in effect;
— for the remaining products, a reduction effort, with a view to phasing
out, that is parallel to the reduction in the second indent of paragraph 3.1
in its equivalent effect for export credits shall be undertaken.
3.3. Without prejudging the outcome of the negotiations, reductions of,
with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies mentioned in paragraphs
3.1 and 3.2 will occur on a schedule that is parallel in its equivalence of
effect on export subsidies and export credits.
3.4 The provisions related to the reductions of, with a view to phasing
out, all forms of export subsidies under paragraphs 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 above shall
apply equally to all forms of export subsidies related to or provided, directly
or indirectly, to, by or through export state trading enterprises.
3.5 Additional disciplines shall
be agreed in order to prevent commercial displacement through food aid operations.
3.6 The question of the end date for
phasing out of all forms of export subsidies remains under negotiation.
3.7 Strengthening of Article 12
of the Agreement on Agriculture on export prohibitions and export restrictions
will be addressed in the negotiations.
Special and differential treatment
3.8 Developing countries shall benefit from longer implementation
periods for reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies.
3.9 Until such time as the phasing out of all forms of export subsidies
is completed, developing countries shall continue to benefit from the special
and differential treatment provisions of Article 9.4 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
3.10 Participants shall ensure that the disciplines on export credits
to be agreed shall make appropriate provision for differential treatment in favour of least-developed and net food-importing developing countries as provided
for in paragraph 4 of the Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative
Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing
Countries.
Other
4. Least-developed countries shall be exempt from reduction commitments. The objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for products originating
from least-developed countries shall be expeditiously pursued.
5. The particular concerns of recently acceded Members shall be effectively
addressed.
6. Subject to the provisions of the
framework set out in paragraphs 1 to 5 above, relevant parts of the Revised
First Draft of Modalities and the related questions specified in the report
of the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture Special Session to the TNC (TN/AG/10
refers) will serve as reference documents for the further work on modalities,
including with respect to the following issues of interest but not agreed: product-specific
commitments in domestic support, terms of expansion/opening of TRQs, in-quota
tariff rates, single desk export privileges, export taxes, proposals for flexibility
for certain groupings, certain non-trade concerns, implementation period, sectoral
initiatives, inter-pillar linkages, peace clause, continuation clause, GIs,
and other detailed rules.
Annex B back to top
Framework for Establishing Modalities in Market Access for Non-Agricultural Products
1. We reaffirm that
negotiations on market access for non-agricultural products shall aim to reduce
or as appropriate eliminate tariffs, including the reduction or elimination of
tariff peaks, high tariffs, and tariff escalation, as well as non-tariff
barriers, in particular on products of export interest to developing countries. We also reaffirm the importance of special
and differential treatment and less than full reciprocity in reduction commitments
as integral parts of the modalities.
2. We acknowledge the substantial work undertaken by the Negotiating
Group on Market Access and the progress towards achieving an agreement
on negotiating modalities. We take note of the constructive dialogue on the
Chair's Draft Elements of Modalities (TN/MA/W/35/Rev.1) and confirm our intention
to use this document as a reference for the future work of the Negotiating Group. We instruct the Negotiating Group to continue its work, as mandated by paragraph
16 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration with its corresponding references to
the relevant provisions of Article XXVIII bis of GATT 1994
and to the provisions cited in paragraph 50 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration,
on the basis set out below.
3. We recognize that a formula approach is key to reducing tariffs,
and reducing or eliminating tariff peaks, high tariffs, and tariff escalation. We agree that the Negotiating Group should continue its work on a non-linear
formula applied on a line-by-line basis which shall take fully into account
the special needs and interests of developing and least-developed country participants,
including through less than full reciprocity in reduction commitments.
4. We further agree on the following elements regarding the formula:
— product coverage shall be comprehensive without a priori
exclusions;
— tariff reductions or elimination shall commence from the bound rates
after full implementation of current concessions; however, for unbound
tariff lines, the basis for commencing the tariff reductions shall be [two]
times the MFN applied rate in the base year;
— the base year for MFN applied tariff rates shall be 2001 (applicable
rates on 14 November);
— credit shall be given for autonomous liberalization provided that
the tariff lines were bound on an MFN basis in the WTO since the conclusion
of the Uruguay Round;
— all non-ad valorem duties shall be converted to ad valorem
equivalents on the basis of a methodology to be determined and bound in ad
valorem terms;
— negotiations shall commence on the basis of the HS96 or HS2002
nomenclature, with the results of the negotiations to be finalized in HS2002
nomenclature;
— the reference period for import data shall be 1999-2001.
5. We furthermore agree that, as an exception, participants with a
binding coverage of non-agricultural tariff lines of less than [35] percent
would be exempt from making tariff reductions through the formula. Instead,
we expect them to bind [100] percent of non-agricultural tariff lines at an
average level that does not exceed the overall average of bound tariffs for
all developing countries after full implementation of current concessions.
6. We recognize that a sectorial tariff component, aiming at elimination
or harmonization is another key element to achieving the objectives of paragraph
16 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration with regard to the reduction or elimination
of tariffs, in particular on products of export interest to developing countries. We recognise that participation by all participants will be important to that
effect. We therefore encourage the Negotiating Group to pursue its discussions
on such a component, which includes adequate provisions of flexibility for developing-country
participants.
7. We agree that developing-country participants shall have longer
implementation periods for tariff reductions. In addition, they would be given
the flexibility of keeping tariff lines unbound, as an exception, or not applying
formula cuts, for up to [5] percent of tariff lines provided they do not exceed
[5] percent of the total value of a Member's imports. We furthermore agree
that this flexibility could not be used to exclude entire HS Chapters.
8. We agree that least-developed country participants shall not be
required to apply the formula nor participate in the sectorial approach, however,
as part of their contribution to this round of negotiations, they are expected
to substantially increase their level of binding commitments. Furthermore,
in recognition of the need to enhance the integration of least-developed countries
into the multilateral trading system and support the diversification
of their production and export base, we call upon developed-country participants
and other participants who so decide, to grant on an autonomous basis duty-free
and quota-free market access for non-agricultural products originating from
least-developed countries by the year […].
9. We recognize that newly acceded Members shall have recourse to special
provisions for tariff reductions in order to take into account their extensive
market access commitments undertaken as part of their accession and that staged
tariff reductions are still being implemented in many cases. We instruct the
Negotiating Group to further elaborate on such provisions.
10. We agree that pending agreement on core modalities for tariffs, the
possibilities of supplementary modalities such as zero-for-zero sector elimination, sectorial harmonization, and request & offer, should be kept open. In addition,
we ask participants to consider the elimination of low duties.
11. We recognize that NTBs are an integral part of these negotiations
and request participants to intensify their work on NTBs. In particular,
we encourage all participants to make notifications on NTBs by 31 October 2003
and to proceed with identification, examination, categorization, and ultimately
negotiations on NTBs. We take note that the modalities for addressing NTBs
in these negotiations could include request/offer, horizontal, or vertical approaches;
and should fully take into account the principle of special and differential
treatment for developing and least-developed country participants.
12. We recognize that appropriate studies and capacity building measures
shall be an integral part of the modalities to be agreed. We also recognize
the work that has already been undertaken in these areas and ask participants
to continue to identify such issues to improve participation in the negotiations.
13. The following issues of importance shall be further considered: non-reciprocal preference erosion and high tariff revenue dependency.
Annex C back to top
Special and Differential Treatment
GATT 1994
— Article XVIII:C
“The General Council instructs the Council on Trade in Goods to develop
and adopt procedures for recourse to Article XVIII:C. The concerns raised by
developing countries, especially the least-developed countries, including those
related to the suspension of concessions or other obligations under Article
XVIII:C, shall be addressed.”
GATT 1994
— Article XXXVI
“The General Council agrees that the Committee on Trade
and Development shall annually review the implementation of Article XXXVI of
GATT 1994, and report to the General Council with concrete recommendations, as
agreed, no later than the last General Council of each year.”
GATT 1994
— Article XXXVII
“The
General Council agrees that any Member may initiate discussions in the Committee
on Trade and Development on the basis of Article XXXVII and decides that a
Member shall, upon request, provide a detailed explanation to matters raised in
regard to the provisions under paragraph 1, with a view to reaching a solution
that is satisfactory to all Members concerned.”
GATT 1994
— Article XXXVIII
“The General Council instructs the Director-General to pursue and conclude
cooperation arrangements as may be necessary to further the objectives set forth
in Article XXXVI of the GATT 1994. The General Council further instructs the
Committee on Trade and Development to receive studies and reports from relevant
international agencies and organizations that may assist Members in analyzing
the development plans and policies of individual developing and least-developed
country Members, export potential and market prospects over the short and medium
terms, measures that could be taken in the WTO framework and by other international
agencies and organizations as well as the assistance required by developing
and least-developed country Members to help achieve their respective development
goals.”
Understanding on the Interpretation of
Article XVII of the GATT 1994
“While
acknowledging that the provisions of Article XVII of the GATT 1994 apply to all
Members, Members recognize that state trading enterprises may have a significant
role to play in promoting and protecting public policy objectives in developing
and least-developed country Members.”
Understanding on Balance-of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994
— Paragraph
8
“The General Council mandates the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions
to examine ways and means of simplifying the administrative requirements within
the full consultation procedures.”
Enabling Clause
“The General Council confirms that the terms and conditions of the Enabling
Clause shall apply when action is taken by Members under the provisions of this
Clause.”
Agreement on Agriculture
— Article 15.2
“The General Council confirms that least-developed country Members remain
exempt from reduction commitments, as provided in Article 15.2, unless decided
otherwise by consensus.”
PSI Agreement
— Article 3.3
“(a) The General Council agrees that technical assistance
for purposes of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection shall address the concerns
of developing and least-developed country Members relating among others to:
(i) training customs and revenue officials to promote and achieve the objectives
of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection through the activities defined in
Article 1.3 of the Agreement, in order to ensure the proper inspection of consignments
to be exported to the user Member, and the prevention of false declaration,
wrong classification and any fraud;
(ii) regulation of preshipment entities.
(b) The General
Council further agrees that customs authorities of Members shall, in accordance
with paragraph 8.3 of the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns, closely cooperate in the context of the Agreement on Customs
Valuation, and of the Decision Regarding Cases where Customs Administrations
Have Reasons to Doubt the Truth or Accuracy of the Declared Value.”
Agreement on Rules of Origin
“In
regard to preferential rules of origin under the Common Declaration in Annex II
to the Agreement, the General Council agrees that in their arrangements for
mutual reduction or elimination of tariff or non-tariff barriers, developing and
least-developed country Members shall have the right to adopt preferential rules
of origin designed to achieve trade policy objectives relating to their rapid
economic development, particularly through generating regional trade.
Furthermore, the General Council instructs the Director-General to take action
to facilitate the increased participation of developing and least-developed
country Members in the activities of the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin
of the World Customs Organisation as well as to coordinate with this organization in identifying technical and financial assistance needs of
developing and least-developed country Members, and report to the Committee on
Rules of Origin and the Council for Trade in Goods periodically, and the General
Council as appropriate.”
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures — Article 1.2
“It is
understood that the requirement to take into account the “development purposes
and financial and trade needs of developing country Members” in Article 1.2 of
the Agreement means that the burden of the administrative procedures used to
implement import licensing regimes shall be further reduced in order to
facilitate trade of developing country Members and minimize possible adverse
effects to their trade, including by making import licensing procedures as
expeditious as possible.”
GATS —
Article IV
“Pursuant to Article IV.3 of the GATS, in all services negotiations, whether
broad-based rounds of negotiations or separate negotiations on specific sectors,
modalities shall be developed in order to allow the priorities of
least-developed country Members to be presented and duly taken into account.”
GATS —
Article IV.3
“The
General Council agrees that the information to be provided by Members shall
indicate how the requirement that special priority be given to least-developed
country Members in the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article IV is
being met, and that contact points, in this context, shall provide information
of particular interest to services suppliers from least-developed country
Members.”
GATS —
Article XXV
“The General Council instructs the WTO
Secretariat to pursue with a view to concluding arrangements with relevant
international institutions that have the technical assistance capacity to assist
developing and least-developed country Members in addressing their supply-side
and infrastructural constraints and their development needs in the services
sector. This shall be without prejudice to the prerogative of the Council
for Trade in Services to decide upon technical assistance to developing
countries which shall be provided at the multilateral level by the Secretariat,
in accordance with Article XXV.2.”
GATS, Annex on Telecommunications
— Paragraph 6
“The
General Council instructs the Council for Trade in Services to put in place
arrangements for prompt notification of any measures taken with regard to the
implementation of subparagraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 6 of the Annex on
Telecommunications.”
TRIPS Agreement
— Article 66.2
“Members, having regard to Article 66.2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, and having regard to the decision of
the TRIPS Council of 19 February 2003, contained in document IP/C/28, reaffirm
that this decision be expeditiously implemented in a way that ensures the
monitoring and full implementation of the obligations in Article 66.2.”
TRIPS Agreement
— Article 67
“The General Council agrees that technical and financial cooperation,
in accordance with Article 67, shall be provided on request and on mutually
agreed terms and conditions, with due consideration given to comprehensive programmes
comprising such components as improving the relevant legal framework in line
with the general obligations of the Agreement, enhancing enforcement mechanisms,
increasing training of personnel at the various levels, assisting in the preparation
of laws and procedures in an effort to encourage and monitor technology transfer,
making use of the rights and policy flexibility in the Agreement, and strengthening
or establishing coordination between intellectual property rights, investment
and competition authorities.
The General Council instructs the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights to annually review the state of implementation of the Agreement
between the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organisation,
taking into account opportunities for technical assistance as provided for in
the Agreement.”
TRIPS Agreement
— Article 70.9
“For purposes of the requirement to grant exclusive marketing rights during
transition periods, it is understood that there is a clear distinction between
“patent rights” on the one hand and “exclusive marketing rights” on the other. Patent rights are set out in Article 28 of the TRIPS Agreement. Exclusive marketing
rights are not the same as patent rights. Members have the right to define
exclusive marketing rights, so long as the definition accords with the meaning
of the term in the TRIPS Agreement as interpreted under the rules of public
international law. There is no requirement to grant exclusive marketing rights
unless marketing approval is granted in that WTO Member for which exclusive
marketing rights is sought.”
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes
— Article 8.10
“Pursuant to Article 8.10 of the DSU, the General Council agrees that
in disputes between a developing country Member and a developed-country Member,
at least one panellist shall be from a developing country Member, unless the
developing country Member party to the dispute waives this right.”
Decision on Measures in Favour of Least-Developed Countries
— Paragraph 2 (v)
“The General Council agrees that the WTO through its participation in
the Integrated Framework and JITAP and other relevant institutions will work
to ensure that supply-side constraints of the LDCs are identified in the Diagnostic
Trade Integration Studies (DTIS) and are addressed in the implementation and
follow-up taking into account the specific circumstances of each beneficiary
country. The General Council also instructs the Sub-Committee of the LDCs to
undertake a biennial review of the implementation of the DTIS and to monitor
the possible impact of assistance that is targeted towards the diversification
of exports from LDCs, including through comparing the composition and concentration
of LDCs' export structures over time and across LDCs and through the
establishment of other relevant indicators.”
Rules Relating to Notification Procedures
“Recognizing the practical difficulties faced by least-developed country
Members in abiding fully by their notification obligations, the General Council
instructs the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries to examine possible
improvements to the notification procedures for least-developed country Members,
taking into account the experience regarding Secretariat produced reports that
helped fulfil some of these requirements. In conducting its examination, the
Sub-Committee shall seek the input of relevant WTO bodies, which may be in a
position to advise on practical means for improving the notification procedures
in relation to least-developed country Members, for example the possibility of
longer timeframes, specified exemptions and simplified procedures for
notifications, and cross-notifications. The Committee on Trade and
Development shall forward the Sub-Committee's report to the General Council by
31 December 2003 for appropriate action.”
Enabling Clause1
“The
General Council agrees that in formulating schemes under paragraph 2(a), (b) and
(c) of the Enabling Clause, and in furtherance of paragraph 3 thereof,
developed-country Members will take into account, among other factors, the needs
of developing and least-developed country Members [and consult with them] with a
view to ensuring that their products of export interest are accorded meaningful
market access. The Committee on Trade and Development will annually review the
progress made in this regard and report to the General Council with
recommendations, if any.”
[Review of Progress on Market Access for Least-Developed Countries]1
“We recall paragraph 2(d) of the Decision on Differential and More Favourable
Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller Participation of Developing Countries, and
Members' commitment to the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for
products originating from least-developed countries, as contained in paragraph
42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. The General Council agrees to review the
progress made in providing access to the least-developed countries on the above
basis.”
Decision on Measures in Favour
of Least-Developed Countries — Paragraph 2 (ii)1
“Without prejudice to the binding commitments that may result from work
under Paragraphs 13, 16 and 42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, and building
upon our commitment in the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Members shall continue
to expeditiously pursue the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access
for products originating from [all] least-developed countries in a manner that
ensures security and predictability. We urge Members to adopt and implement
rules of origin so as to facilitate exports from least-developed countries.”
Annex D back to top
Relationship between Trade and Investment
1. The objective of the negotiations shall be to establish an agreement
to secure transparent, stable and predictable conditions for [long term cross-border
investment, particularly foreign direct investment][foreign direct investment],
that will contribute to the expansion of trade, and the need for enhanced technical
assistance and capacity-building in this area. Any agreement will reflect in
a balanced manner the interests of home and host countries, and take due account
of the development policies and objectives of the host government as well as
their right to regulate in the public interest.
2. Paragraphs 45-51 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration shall apply
to these negotiations.
3. The Chair of the Negotiating Group on Investment shall hold the
Group’s first meeting within one month from the date of this decision. The
Chair of the Negotiating Group shall conduct the negotiations with a view to
presenting a draft text by no later than [30 June 2004].
4. On the basis of paragraph 22 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration
and the work done thus far under the Working Group on the Relationship between
Trade and Investment, the multilateral framework shall include the following
elements:
—
Scope and Definition ([long-term cross-border investment,
particularly FDI][Foreign Direct Investment]);
—
Transparency;
—
Non-discrimination (MFN and NT with limited exceptions);
—
Pre-establishment commitments based on a GATS-type, positive list approach;
—
Exceptions and balance-of-payments safeguards;
—
Consultations and the settlement of disputes between Members
(investor to state dispute settlement mechanisms shall not be included);
—
Special and Differential Treatment for developing and least-developed
country Members including flexibility regarding transparency obligations, commitments
(NT, MFN and pre-establishment commitments) and transition periods, as necessary;
—
Provisions as necessary to clarify the relationship
between this Agreement and relevant WTO provisions;
— Provisions to clarify the relationship between this Agreement
and existing bilateral and regional arrangements on investment;
—
Other issues that participants may wish to put forward.
5. Recognizing the needs of developing and least-developed countries
for enhanced support for technical assistance and capacity building, including
policy analysis and development so that they may better evaluate the implications
of closer multilateral cooperation for their development policies and objectives,
and human and institutional development, we shall work in cooperation with other
relevant intergovernmental organizations, including UNCTAD, and through appropriate
regional and bilateral channels, to continue to provide strengthened and adequately
resourced technical assistance and capacity building to respond to these needs
during the negotiations and after their conclusion.
Annex E back to top
Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy
1. Negotiations on a multilateral agreement on trade and competition
policy shall be based on the elements contained in paragraph 25 of the Doha
Ministerial Declaration and on the work undertaken in the Working Group on the
Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy. The objective of the negotiations
shall be to establish an agreement to secure better and more equitable conditions
for international trade, by facilitating effective voluntary cooperation on
anti-competitive practices which adversely affect international trade, in particular
hardcore cartels which have an impact on developing and least-developed countries'
economies, and assisting WTO Members in the establishment, implementation and
enforcement of competition rules within their respective jurisdictions. The
negotiations will not deal with state-to-state arrangements that limit competition
or with practices implemented pursuant to such arrangements.
2. The provisions of the agreement will be drafted in such a way that
individual decisions of national competition authorities shall not be subject
to challenge or recommendations under the WTO dispute settlement system. The
principle of non-discrimination will apply only to laws, regulations and guidelines
of general application. The principle of procedural fairness will respect the
legal and judicial systems of each WTO Member. Consideration shall also be
given to the inclusion of a possible peer review mechanism.
3. We reaffirm that full account shall be taken of the industrial policy,
social policy and other needs of developing and least-developed country participants
and appropriate flexibility provided to address them. The right of all Members
to implement exceptions or exclusions from the application of national competition
laws on the basis of transparent domestic legal processes will be safeguarded. Transition periods for implementation of the agreement by developing countries
and least-developed countries shall apply.
4. Recognizing the needs of developing and least-developed countries
for improved support for technical assistance and capacity building, we shall
continue to work to provide adequate technical assistance and capacity building
during the negotiations and after their conclusion. In this respect, no later
than the end of 2003, a meeting will be convened to start a collaborative effort
with other international organizations, including UNCTAD, the World Bank, the
OECD and others, in order to begin to identify and assess needs related to capacity
building to assist in the implementation of the results of the negotiations.
5. Paragraphs 45-51 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration shall apply
to these negotiations. At its first meeting after this Session of the Ministerial
Conference, the Trade Negotiations Committee shall establish a Negotiating Group
on Trade and Competition Policy and appoint its Chair. The first meeting of
the Negotiating Group shall agree on a work plan and schedule of meetings.
Annex F back to top
Transparency in Government Procurement
1. The objective of the negotiations will be to establish a multilateral
agreement on transparency in government procurement. Negotiations will be based
on paragraph 26 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and will build on the progress
made in the Working Group on Transparency in Government Procurement, in particular
the 12 issues identified by the Chair.
2. Negotiations shall be limited to transparency only and will include
special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed country
Members, including flexibility regarding the extent of commitments and transitional
periods as necessary.
3. Paragraphs 45-51 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration shall apply
to these negotiations. At its first meeting after this Session of the Ministerial
Conference, the Trade Negotiations Committee shall establish a Negotiating Group
on Transparency in Government Procurement and appoint its Chair. The first
meeting of the Negotiating Group shall agree on a work plan and schedule of
meetings.
4. Participants shall submit their initial negotiating proposals
for transparency in government procurement by [31 January 2004]. The Chair
of the Negotiating Group shall conduct the negotiations with a view to presenting
a draft text by no later than [30 June 2004]. Other organizational issues,
including the number and timing of meetings of the Negotiating Group, shall
be determined at its first meeting or as necessary thereafter.
5. Recognizing the needs of developing and least-developed countries
for improved support for technical assistance and capacity building, we shall
continue to work to provide adequate technical assistance and capacity building
during the negotiations and after their conclusion.
6. No later than the end of 2003, WTO Members will convene a meeting
devoted to starting a collaborative effort with other international organizations,
including the World Bank, UNCTAD, and others, in order to begin to identify
and assess needs related to capacity building to assist the implementation of
the results of the negotiations.
Annex G back to top
Trade Facilitation
1. Negotiations shall aim, by clarifying and improving relevant
aspects of GATT Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994, at the establishment
of an agreement to further expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods,
including goods in transit.
2. In the case of developing and least-developed countries, it is agreed
that their implementation capacities shall be an important factor to take into
account in the negotiations. The negotiations shall also take fully into account
the principle of special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed
countries.
3. Recognizing the needs of developing and least-developed countries
for enhanced technical assistance and capacity building in this area, Members
commit themselves to ensuring adequate technical assistance and support for
capacity building in this area both during the negotiations and after their
conclusion.
4. In order to make the process of identification and assessment of
needs related to technical assistance and capacity building effective and operational
and to ensure better coherence, a collaborative effort shall be undertaken with
other international organizations, including the World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD and
the WCO, in this regard.
5. Due account shall be taken of the relevant work undertaken by other
international organizations in this area.
6. Paragraphs 45-51 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration shall apply
to these negotiations. At its first meeting after this Session of the Ministerial
Conference, the Trade Negotiations Committee shall establish a Negotiating Group
on Trade Facilitation and appoint its Chair. The first meeting of the Negotiating
Group shall agree on a work plan and schedule of meetings.
1These proposals have been agreed to ad referendum.
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