Member countries of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) gave the green light for the accession of the United Kingdom at a meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Committee on Government Procurement on Wednesday 27 February in Geneva.
This procedure forms part of the British withdrawal process from the European Union, with the United Kingdom having participated in the GPA for more than 20 years as a member of the EU. Launched in June 2018, the procedure allowing London to become a full member of this plurilateral treaty, led to an agreement in principle in November (see EUROPE 12148). The decision of the 47 members of the GPA will guarantee British access to a market worth $1,700 billion annually.
“Today’s decision underlines our determination to minimise any disruption, however we leave the European Union”, said UK Ambassador, Julian Braithwaite.
Committee Chairman, Carlos Vanderloo of Canada, praised the British delegation “for the courage, persistence and skill it has shown throughout the process of its accession negotiation”.
The British accession will take effect 30 days after London has submitted its instrument of acceptance. The United Kingdom will be covered by the GPA as an EU Member State until the date of its withdrawal from the EU, or the expiry date of any possible transition period. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)