In Geneva, where a round of plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce (‘digital trade’) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) (see EUROPE 12252/7) is taking place from 13 to 15 May, the European Union stressed on Monday 13 May the importance of setting up “a pragmatic negotiating framework” to ensure that these talks lead to a sufficiently ambitious outcome.
The Union recalled its strategic objectives of 1) negotiating a set of WTO rules and obligations of commercial interest that are 2) supported by as many WTO members as possible.
The aim is therefore to design “a pragmatic negotiating framework with a certain degree of flexibility”, not only during the discussions, but also on the final text, said the European representative, according to his statement made at the WTO. This will prevent the outcome of the negotiations from focusing on the lowest common denominator, he said.
Seventy-seven WTO member countries have chosen to participate in these talks.
This is the initial cycle that will allow participants to address substantive issues for the first time.
See the EU declaration to the WTO: http://bit.ly/2QaDVyF. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)