20/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body, meeting on Monday 20 December, agreed to establish an arbitration panel between the EU and Russia, according to a Geneva official. The EU had requested the opening of the case, stating that Russia discriminates against foreign companies in its public procurement (see EUROPE 12834/12). Russia refused this manoeuvre on 29 November (see EUROPE 12842/29), but could not oppose it in the EU’s second WTO application. The trial process could take a year or more. (LM)