Brussels, 16/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Member States of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) started negotiations in Geneva about trade facilitation. The negotiation group on the subject, chaired by the Malaysian Ambassador Muhamad Noor Yacob, met for the first time on 15 November, notably to adopt a working plan and a timetable for forthcoming meetings. Negotiations on trade facilitation follow a framework agreement on the finalisation of the Doha round, adopted by the Council of the WTO on 1 August. In "annex D" to the framework agreement, the Member States agreed to open negotiations, which will aim to clarify and improve aspects of articles V; VII and X of the GATT agreement of 1994 with a view to further expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. Another objective of the negotiations is to enhance technical assistance in this area. Lastly, negotiations should also help to improve cooperation between the customs services and all other authorities which are able to facilitate trade. Special and differentiated treatment will be provided for developing countries and the least developed countries, it was agreed. The next meeting of the negotiation group will take place on 22 and 23 November.