The Commission published a laconic report on the results of the latest round of talks between the EU and China to seal a comprehensive investment agreement on Monday 11 November.
This 24th meeting, from 5 to 8 November 2019, focused on “investment liberalisation and disciplines guaranteeing equal conditions of competition (‘level playing field’)”, the report states. In these talks, the EU’s main objective is to obtain from China a degree of openness to European economic operators equivalent to that offered by the EU.
According to the report, specific sessions were also held, including on transparency and competition issues, public enterprises, financial services, transfers and capital movements.
The report notes “substantial progress” in the settlement of disputes between States.
The text also confirms the sustained pace of meetings, with the 25th round already on the negotiators’ agenda by 16 December, who have committed themselves to “advancing internal processes with a view to exchanging revised market access offers before the end of the year”.
At the EU-China Summit in April 2019, the parties reiterated their determination to make “decisive” progress by the end of the year towards an agreement in 2020 (see EUROPE 12355/14, 12232/7).
As a first success, at the beginning of November, the parties concluded an agreement on geographical indications (see EUROPE 12364/17). (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)