World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Meeting in Frankfurt
(Overview and Evaluation)

24 January 2001
First International Organizations Division

On 24 January an informal meeting on the launch of the World Trade Organization (WTO) New Round was held in Frankfurt under the auspices of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshiji Nogami. The informal meeting was held at the vice-ministerial level and attended by Australia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the WTO Secretariat. The following is an overview and provisional evaluation of the informal meeting:

Overview

1. An exchange of views took place on the present situation encompassing the WTO, and it was confirmed that the launching of a new round is this year's priority.
2. It was observed that negotiations should take place over a balanced and sufficiently broad-based agenda, and in particular that there was a consensus regarding the importance of consideration for developing countries. In relation to investment and competition, the European Commission's (EC) new approach of permitting plurilateral agreements was also discussed. Furthermore, regarding the environment, some of the members expressed caution over the handling of the precautionary principle stating they believed they would be used as new barriers to trade.
3. As regards how to proceed in the future, developing country members emphasized that results must be achieved on the issue of implementation, and a broad consensus of opinion was reached regarding the fact that discussion must take place in a larger context toward this end. Furthermore, the importance of an informal meeting such as this was widely noted, and Japan's initiative praised. The significance of the informal meeting to discuss individual issues was also pointed out, and an agreement was reached on the point that efforts must be expended to achieve a broad consensus before the beginning of the latter half of 2001 regarding what issues to place on the agenda of a new round.

Provisional Evaluation

1. Although it was regrettable that India was unable to attend the informal meeting, frank and sincere views were exchanged by vice-ministerial level attendees from countries in varying positions.
2. As regards discussions on a new round, although differences of opinion continue to exist among each of the countries, it was confirmed that the importance of enhancing anti-dumping regulations and labor would not be placed on the agenda, enabling them, it would appear, to narrow down the points for discussion to some extent.
3. Although many challenges still remain to ensure a new round is successfully launched at the WTO Fourth Ministerial Conference in November, the fact that Japan's initiative to convene such a meeting was highly appreciated as a proactive approach taken by Japan.