The European Commission has chosen to express optimism in its report on the latest round of negotiations to conclude an investment agreement between the European Union and China, even though the negotiations have reached their 21st round (see EUROPE 12221/21).
In Beijing between 10 and 14 June 2019, the “negotiations progressed more rapidly”, thanks to the agreement reached last April at the EU-China Summit, which aimed to pave the way for an ambitious agreement by 2020 (see EUROPE 12063/1).
The chief negotiators continued discussions on market access on the basis of offers exchanged on the periphery of the 2018 EU-China Summit.
According to the report, they discussed commitments, reservations and concerns regarding the financial services and ICT and telecommunications sectors, as well as reservations that apply to all sectors.
The parties have also made progress on policy issues related to freedom of transfers and liberalisation of capital movements.
The report also notes that areas of convergence have been moved forward in discussions on financial services and matters related to national treatment have progressed.
Discussions between the parties on investor-state dispute settlement were "constructive", as they also were on issues related to sustainable development. Further technical work on these two issues will need to be completed before the 22nd round, scheduled for 15-19 July 2019 in Brussels. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)