Negotiations break off without agreement, but Chinese authorities invite Lamy to Beijing to conclude

Brussels, 24/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - After four days of intensive talks, the Europeans and Chinese parted on Thursday without having been able to agree on the conditions for China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "Pascal Lamy will not go to Beijing as long as there is not further progress in technical negotiations", said his spokesperson. For its part, Chinese television said that the European Commissioner had been invited to Beijing to finalise the agreement.

In Brussels, these indications received a formal denial. It was agreed that "enormous progress has been achieved; nevertheless, not enough to conclude". A joint press release published in Beijing, added: "the gap is narrowing, but we have still not reached the end of our troubles". The Commission spokesperson recalled that Mr. Lamy had been ready to take the plane all week but, "unfortunately, the news reaching him did not allow it". He has, however, refused to qualify this as a failure: "We continue to remain committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible", he assured. On the ground, the team led by Hans-Friedrich Beseler, Director General for Trade in the Commission, declared that they would not be leaving Beijing immediately in order to allow the Chinese authorities to make last minute concessions. "The ball is obviously in the Chinese camp", sources in Brussels said. The questions in suspence essentially concern access to the Chinese market for European providers of telecommunications and insurance services (this sector is said not even to have been broached), as well as customs tariffs, Community sources stipulated.

In Beijing, the assessment was more positive. Long Yongtu, Deputy Minister for Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the negotiations were "very close" to agreement. "The Chinese party thinks conditions are right for discussions at ministerial level between China and the EU. MOFTEC (Trade) Minister Shi Guangsheng invites European Commissioner Pascal Lamy to come to China to conclude negotiations on China's accession to the WTO."