title: SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG nr. 2552/97 van Olivier DUPUIS aan de Commissie. China/SAP

eurovoc_concepts:
China
committee of inquiry
export
generalised preferences
human rights
international sanctions
manufactured goods
prisoner
slavery
working conditions

formats: html pdf print

text: 25. 2. 98 NL Publicatieblad van de Europese Gemeenschappen C 60/137 Hoewel het Verenigd Koninkrijk ten tijde van de storting nog niet tot de Gemeenschap was toegetreden, heeft de Commissie om nadere gegevens verzocht om te bepalen welke maatregelen kunnen worden genomen tegen eventuele verdere gevolgen. (98/C 60/226) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG P-2551/97 van Richard Balfe (PSE) aan de Commissie (15 juli 1997) Betreft: Sri Lanka Wil de Commissie een verklaring afleggen over de huidige toestand in Sri Lanka? Antwoord van de heer Mar(cid:14)·n namens de Commissie (1 augustus 1997) Zoals zij reeds bij meerdere gelegenheden opmerkte, blijft de Commissie ernstig verontrust door de interne conflicten die na 14 jaar nog blijven verhinderen dat het normale leven in Sri Lanka weer kan worden opgenomen en de bevolking in voorspoed kan leven. Zij is met name bezorgd over de aanhoudende maar al te geloofwaardige rapporten van ernstige schendingen van de mensenrechten niet alleen door de zogenaamde Tamil Tigers, maar ook wel door de veiligheidstroepen, resulterende in de dood van onschuldige burgers die op geen enkele wijze verantwoordelijk zijn voor het gewapend conflict. Derhalve steunt zij ten volle de recente verklaring van President Chandrika Kumaratunga dat alle maatregelen zijn genomen om onschuldige Tamil burgers te beschermen en de door hem aan Tamil-partijen gegeven verzekering dat de in Colombo en zijn voorsteden wonende onschuldige Tamils niet mogen worden lastig gevallen door de veiligheidstroepen. Niettemin kan de Commissie niet verhullen enigszins ongerust te zijn over de vraag of de mensenrechtencom- missie, die de task force mensenrechten nogal plotseling heeft vervangen, in staat zal zijn snel volledig operationeel te worden en haar ruimere mandaat efficie¤nt uit te voeren. De Commissie van haar kant blijft klaar om een omvangrijk herstel- en wederopbouwprogramma te starten ten einde de regering van Sri Lanka te helpen, zodra de omstandigheden zulks mogelijk maken. Vanzelfsprekend is een eerste voorwaarde het vaststellen van de behoeften en het uitwerken van een programma dat in volledige veiligheid kan worden uitgevoerd. De Commissie zal de plaatselijke situatie derhalve van nabij blijven volgen zodat zij een dergelijk programma onverwijld kan starten. (98/C 60/227) SCHRIFTELIJKE VRAAG P-2552/97 van Olivier Dupuis (ARE) aan de Commissie (15 juli 1997) Betreft: China/SAP In zijn verslag over (cid:132)de mededeling van de Commissie over het beleid op lange termijn voor de betrekkingen tussen China en Europa(cid:148) (verslag-McMillan-Scott › A4-0198/97) verzoekt het Parlement aan de Commissie onderzoeken in te stellen naar dwangarbeid en arbeid in de gevangenissen in China, overeenkomstig de artike- len 9, 10 en 11 van de verordeningen van de Raad nrs. 3281/94 (1) en 1256/96 (2) betreffende het Stelsel van Algemene Preferenties. Heeft de Commissie reeds een begin gemaakt met dit onderzoek? Zo ja, wanneer denkt zij dan haar conclusies aan de Raad te kunnen voorleggen? Is zij voornemens het Parlement in te lichten over dit onderzoek, op welk moment en op welke wijze? Ingeval zij dit onderzoek nog niet gestart mocht hebben, wanneer denkt zij dit dan te doen? Is de Commissie verder voornemens in het kader van dit onderzoek gebruik te maken van de ervaringen ter zake van gespecialiseerde organisaties en met name van die van de (cid:132)Laoga(cid:14)¤ Research Foundation(cid:148)? (1) PB L 348 van 31. 12. 1994, blz. 1. (2) PB L 160 van 29. 6. 1996, blz. 1


title: Decision on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to the adoption of a European Parliament and Council Directive amending for the third time Directive 88/344/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on extraction solvents used in the production of foodstuffs and food ingredients (C4- 0151/97 96/0195(COD))

eurovoc_concepts:
approximation of laws
foodstuff
human nutrition
solvent

formats: html print


title: KOMMISSIONENS FÖRORDNING (EG) nr 1357/97 av den 15 juli 1997 om fastställande av representativa priser och tilläggsbelopp för import av fjäderfäkött, ägg och äggalbumin samt om ändring av förordning (EG) nr 1484/95

eurovoc_concepts:
import
originating product
poultrymeat
representative price
third country


title: Lovgivningsmæssig beslutning med Europa-Parlamentets udtalelse om forslag til Rådets forordning (EF) om ændring af forordning (EØF) nr. 3760/92 om en fællesskabsordning for fiskeri og akvakultur (KOM(96)0350 C4-0538/96 96/ 0183(CNS))

eurovoc_concepts:
Community fisheries
aquaculture
authorised catch
catch quota
fishery management
fishing area
fishing regulations
third country


title: Resolução legislativa que contém o parecer do Parlamento Europeu sobre a proposta de regulamento do Conselho que altera o Regulamento (CEE) n° 3760/92 que institui um regime comunitário da pesca e da aquicultura (COM(96)0350 C4-0538/96 96/0183(CNS))


title: In the United Kingdom.

eurovoc_concepts:
European Social Fund
United Kingdom


title: INTERROGAZIONE SCRITTA n. 2553/97 dell'on. Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS alla Commissione. Protezione dei boschi comunitari contro gli incendi

eurovoc_concepts:
EU financing
Greece
action programme
fire protection
forest conservation
forestry policy


title: Proposta de decisão do Conselho relativa à conclusão em nome da Comunidade Europeia, no que se refere às matérias da sua competência, dos resultados das negociações da OMC no domínio dos serviços de telecomunicações de base

eurovoc_concepts:
World Trade Organisation
liberalisation of the market
protocol to an agreement
provision of services
telecommunications

formats: html pdf pdfa1b print

text: COMISSÃO DAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEIAS Bruxelas, 15. 07. 1997 COM(97)368 final 97/0204 (CNS) Proposta de DECISÃO DO CONSELHO relativa à conclusão em nome da Comunidade Europeia, no que se refere às matérias da sua competência, dos resultados das negociações da OMC no domínio dos serviços de telecomunicações de base (apresentada pela Comissão) Exposição dos motivos Na sua decisão de 22 de Dezembro de 19941, o Conselho da União Europeia aprovou a Acta Final que consagra os resultados das negociações comerciais multilaterais concluídas no final de Dezembro de 1993, aprovando, dessa forma, o Acordo de Marraqueche que institui a Organização Mundial do Comércio, bem como os acordos conexos, nomeadamente, o Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços, as declarações e decisões ministeriais - incluindo a Decisão Ministerial relativa às negociações sobre telecomunicações de base -, o Anexo relativo às telecomunicações e o Anexo relativo às negociações sobre telecomunicações de base. A Decisão Ministerial relativa aos serviços de telecomunicações de base prevê que as negociações sejam realizadas voluntariamente, tendo em vista uma liberalização progressiva do comércio no domínio das redes e serviços de transporte de telecomunicações no âmbito do enquadramento do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços (GATS). De acordo com a referida decisão, a primeira ronda de negociações deveria ser realizada, o mais tardar, até 16 de Maio de 1994, devendo as negociações ser concluídas até 30 de Abril de 1996. Em 30 de Abril de 1996, o Conselho do Comércio de Serviços da OMC adoptou o Quarto Protocolo do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços e a decisão conexa. Em anexo ao Quarto Protocolo, figuram 34 listas de compromissos que representam 48 governos de países membros da OMC e uma lista de isenções das obrigações previstas no Artigo II (NMF). A decisão relativa aos compromissos no domínio das telecomunicações de base previa que as listas de compromissos e as listas de isenções anexas ao Quarto Protocolo pudessem ser complementadas ou alteradas durante o período compreendido entre 15 de Janeiro e 15 de Fevereiro de 1997. Além disso, a referida decisão instituiu igualmente um grupo sobre telecomunicações de base, responsável pela realização de consultas sobre a aplicação da disposição em questão. Em 15 de Fevereiro de 1997, o grupo sobre telecomunicações de base comunicou ao Conselho do Comércio de Serviços da OMC que o número total de listas de 1 JO 336 de 23 de Dezembro de 1994, p. 1. 2, compromissos era de 55, em representação de 60 países membros da OMC, e que nove governos tinham apresentado listas de isenções das obrigações previstas no Artigo II (NMF). Os seguintes membros da OMC confirmaram os seus compromissos no domínio das telecomunicações de base até 15 de Fevereiro de 1997: Antigua e Barbuda, Argentina, Austrália, Bangladeche, Belize, Bolívia, Brasil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgária, Canadá, Chile, Colômbia, Costa do Marfim, República Checa, Dominica, República Dominicana, Equador, El Salvador, Gana, Granada, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungria, Islândia, índia, Indonésia, Israel, Jamaica, Japão, Coreia, Malásia, Maurícia, México, Marrocos, Nova Zelândia, Noruega, Paquistão, Papua Nova Guiné, Peru, Filipinas, Polónia, Roménia, Senegal, Singapura, República Eslovaca, África do Sul, Sri Lanka, Suíça, Tailândia, Trindade e Tobago, Tunísia, Turquia, Estados Unidos da América e Venezuela. A Antigua e Barbuda, a Argentina, o Bangladesh, o Brasil, a índia, o Paquistão, o Sri Lanka, a Turquia e os Estados Unidos da América confirmaram listas de isenções-NMF. Estes países serão signatários do Quarto Protocolo do G ATS, o instrumento jurídico ao qual ficarão vinculadas as suas novas listas de compromissos e de isenções-NMF Nas suas conclusões de 30 de Abril de 1996, o Conselho autorizou a Comissão a aprovar a Decisão do Conselho do Comércio de Serviços que adopta o Quarto Protocolo do GATS e a decisão relativa aos compromissos no domínio das telecomunicações de base. Em 14 de Fevereiro de 1997, o Conselho autorizou igualmente a Comissão a apresentar à OMC, em nome da Comunidade Europeia e dos seus Estados-membros, a lista final de compromissos, sob reserva da respectiva aceitação definitiva após a conclusão dos trâmites internos necessários para o efeito. Por conseguinte, as negociações foram definitivamente concluídas em 15 de Fevereiro de 1997. As listas de compromissos que figurarão em anexo no Quarto Protocolo do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços foram tecnicamente verificadas e aprovadas pelo Conselho do Comércio de Serviços da OMC em Genebra em dei 997. O Protocolo está aberto para aceitação, por assinatura ou de outro modo, pelos membros em questão até 30 de Novembro de 1997. * * * As negociações foram conduzidas tendo em conta as directrizes adoptadas pelo Conselho em 14 de Junho de 1995. O nível global dos compromissos assumidos, relativos quer ao acesso ao mercado quer ao tratamento nacional, que foi alcançado pelo acordo de 30 de Abril de 1996, com as alterações que lhe foram introduzidas antes de 15 de Fevereiro de 1997, representa 93% do mercado mundial dos serviços de telecomunicações de base. Foram assumidos compromissos por países membros da OMC de todos os continentes relativamente a todos os subsectores dos serviços de telecomunicações de base, que serão aplicados quer imediatamente quer gradualmente. Além disso, a maioria das listas contêm compromissos adicionais sobre os princípios regulamentares. A contribuição dada pela Comunidade Europeia e pelos seus Estados-membros para uma conclusão satisfatória das negociações no domínio das telecomunicações de base tem sido essencial. Este acordo possibilita que as indústrias de telecomunicações da União Europeia beneficiem de uma maior certeza e previsibilidade jurídicas, o que beneficiará quer as indústrias europeias na sua totalidade quer os consumidores europeus e constituirá uma base real sobre a qual será possível adoptar medidas destinadas a fomentar uma maior abertura do mercado. Por conseguinte, a Comissão recomenda que o Conselho da União Europeia adopte a decisão que figura em anexo, relativa à conclusão dos resultados das negociações da OMC/GATS no domínio dos serviços das telecomunicações de base. H- Decisão do Conselho * de relativa à conclusão em nome da Comunidade Europeia, no que se refere às matérias da sua competência, dos resultados das negociações da OMC no domínio dos serviços de telecomunicações de base O CONSELHO DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA, Tendo em conta o Tratado que institui a Comunidade Europeia e, nomeadamente, os seus artigos 57°, 66°, 90°, 99°, 100°, 100°-A e 113°, em articulação com o n° 2 do artigo 228° e com o primeiro parágrafo do n° 3 do artigo 228°, Tendo em conta a proposta da Comissão, Tendo em conta o parecer do Parlamento Europeu, Considerando que o Acordo de Marraquexe que institui a Organização Mundial do Comércio e os seus acordos conexos, as decisões e declarações ministeriais - incluindo a Decisão Ministerial relativa às negociações sobre telecomunicações de base -, bem como o Anexo relativo às telecomunicações e o Anexo relativo às negociações sobre telecomunicações de base, foram aprovados por uma Decisão do Conselho de 22 de Dezembro de 19941, Considerando que os compromissos globais no domínio dos serviços de telecomunicações de base que foram negociados pela Comissão, em nome da Comunidade Europeia e dos seus Estados-membros, constituem um resultado satisfatório e equilibrado; Considerando que, em 30 de Abril de 1996, o Conselho autorizou a Comissão a aprovar, em nome da Comunidade Europeia e dos seus Estados-membros, a decisão do grupo de negociação sobre telecomunicações de base e do Conselho do Comércio de Serviços da OMC que adopta o Quarto Protocolo do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços e a 1 JO L 336 de 23. 12. 1994, p. 1. decisão do Conselho do Comércio de Serviços relativa aos compromissos no domínio das telecomunicações de base; Considerando que, em 14 de Fevereiro de 1997, o Conselho autorizou a Comissão a apresentar à OMC a lista final dos compromissos em nome da Comunidade Europeia e dos seus Estados-membros; Considerando que a competência da Comunidade para concluir acordos internacionais não decorre unicamente de uma atribuição específica pelo Tratado, podendo igualmente derivar de outras disposições do Tratado e de actos que tenham sido adoptados pelas instituições comunitárias em conformidade com essas disposições, Considerando que, no caso de terem sido adoptadas regras comunitárias destinadas a atingir os objectivos do Tratado, os Estados-membros não podem assumir compromissos que possam afectar as regras em questão ou alterar o seu alcance a não ser no âmbito das instituições comuns, Considerando que, em conformidade com o disposto no artigo 113° do Tratado, alguns compromissos no domínio dos serviços das telecomunicações de base são da competência da Comunidade, que, além disso, outros compromissos no domínio dos serviços das telecomunicações de base afectam as regras comunitárias adoptadas com base nos artigos 57°, 66°, 90°, 99°, 100° e 100°-A, pelo que só podem ser assumidos pela Comunidade, Considerando que a utilização do artigo 100° do Tratado como base jurídica para a presente decisão se justifica igualmente pelo facto de os referidos compromissos no domínio dos serviços das telecomunicações de base poderem afectar a Directiva 90/434/CEE do Conselho, de 23 de Julho de 1990, relativa ao regime fiscal comum aplicável às fusões, cisões, entradas de activos e permutas de acções entre sociedades de Estados-membros diferentes2 e a Directiva 90/43 5/CEE do Conselho, de 23 de Julho de 1990, relativa ao regime fiscal comum aplicável às sociedades-mães e sociedades afiliadas de Estados-membros diferentes3, que se baseiam no artigo 100° do Tratado; 2 3 JO L 225 de 20. 8. 1990, p. 1. JO L 225 de 20. 8. 1990, p. 6. Considerando que, pela sua natureza, o Acordo que institui a Organização Mundial do Comércio e os Protocolos do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio dos Serviços não podem ser invocados directamente nos tribunais da Comunidade ou dos Estados-membros, DECIDE: Artigo Io 1. É aprovado, em nome da Comunidade Europeia e no que se refere à parte do mesmo que é da competência da Comunidade Europeia, o Quarto Protocolo do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços relativo aos serviços de telecomunicações de base. 2. O texto do Quarto Protocolo acompanha a presente Decisão, assim como os seguintes documentos: - a lista dos compromissos específicos da Comunidade e dos Estados-membros, que faz parte do pacote global de compromissos alcançados no âmbito da OMC em 15 de Fevereiro de 1997; - a decisão do Conselho do Comércio de Serviços relativa aos compromissos no domínio dos serviços de telecomunicações; - o relatório de 15 de Fevereiro de 1997 do grupo sobre telecomunicações de base ao Conselho do Comércio de Serviços. 3. O Presidente do Conselho fica autorizado a designar a pessoa com poderes para assinar o Quarto Protocolo do Acordo Geral sobre o Comércio de Serviços para o efeito de vincular a Comunidade Europeia no que se refere à parte do protocolo que releva da sua competência. Feito em,. Pelo Conselho O Presidente a_ FOURTH PROTOCOL TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES Members of the World Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "WTO") whose Schedules of Specific Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II of the General Agreement on Trade in Services concerning basic telecommunications are annexed to this Protocol (hereinafter referred to as " Members concerned"), Having carried out negotiations under the terms of the Ministerial Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications adopted at Marrakesh on IS April 1994, Having regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications, Agree as follows: 1. Upon the entry into force of this Protocol, a Schedule of Specific Commitments and a List of Exemptions from Article II concerning basic telecommunications annexed to this Protocol relating to a Member shall, in accordance with the terms specified therein, supplement or modify the Schedule of Specific Commitments and the List of Article II Exemptions of that Member. This Protocol shall be open for acceptance, by signature or otherwise, by the Members concerned 2. until 30 November 1997. 3. The Protocol shall enter into force on 1 January 1998 provided it has been accepted by all Members concerned. If by 1 December 1997 the Protocol has not been accepted by all Members concerned, those Members which have accepted it by that date may decide, prior to 1 January 1998, on its entry into force. This Protocol shall be deposited with the Director-General of the WTO. The Director-General 4. of the WTO shall promptly furnish to each Member of the WTO a certified copy of this Protocol and notifications of acceptances thereof. This Protocol shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter 5. of the United Nations. Done at Geneva this fifteenth day of April one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven, in a single copy in the English, French and Spanish languages, each text being authentic, except as otherwise provided for in respect of the Schedules annexed hereto. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES Schedule of Specific Commitments (This is authentic in English, French and Spanish) <? THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES - SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 2. C Telecommunications services Telecommunications services are the transport of electro magnetic signals - sound, data image and any combinations thereof, excluding broadcasting1. Therefore, commitments in this schedule do not cover the economic activity consisting of content provision which require telecommunications services for its transport. The provision of that content, transported via a telecommunications service, is subject to the specific commitments undertaken by the European Communities and their Member States in other relevant sectors. All sub-sectors La The European Communities and their Member States undertake additional commitments as contained in the attachment, all parts of which are equally binding. Í i tr c "ï c a> Ci r. o 3 3 c D 3 CL a 3 cr *n C/3 ï -* u» ce 'Broadcasting is defined as the uninterrupted chain of transmission required for the distribution of tv and radio programme signals to the general public, but does not cover contribution links between operators. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments B: Licensing conditions may address the need to guarantee universal service, including through financing, in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and will not be more burdensome than necessary. FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector except as : FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector. Requirements concerning the Aland islands shall continue to apply. half of the founders, half of the members of the board of directors and the managing director must have permanent residence in the European Economic Area. If the founder is a legal person, it must have residence in the EEA. 1) None except for: 1) None P: basic services can be supplied only by companies established in Portugal. GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. 2) None 2) None O m c *n O •a n> OS 3 O o 3 3 c 3 fis 3 Cu 3 cr CO Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 3) None except forQ : 3) None GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. P : The direct or indirect participation of natural persons, who are non-nationals of EC Member States or non-EC companies or firms in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunications services cannot exceed 25 %. F : Indirect: none. Non-EC natural or juridical persons may not hold directly more than 20% of the shares or voting rights of companies authorised to establish and operate radio-based infrastructure for the provision of telecommunications services to the general public. For the application of this provision, companies or firms legally established according to the laws of a Member State of the EC are considered EC juridical persons. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. P: The Government of Portugal has the intention of presenting to the Parliament draft legislation aiming at removing partially the present limitations on foreign equity participation in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunication services no later than in 1998. In case of approval, the new legislation will be bound no later than in 1999. m c o T3 to SU 3 n o 3 3 c 3 3 Cu 3 cr o> • -ï c/5 < -* su ce (*)Footnote for clarification purposes: Some EC Member States maintain public participation in certain telecommunication operators. EC Member States reserve their rights to maintain such public participation in the future. This is not a market access limitation. In Belgium, govemmenl participation and voting rights in Belgacom are freely determined under legislative powers as is presently the c«s< under the Imw of 21 March 1991 on lhe reform of government-owned economic enterprises. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply /. ) l~oitàUuipt Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments Domestic and international Domestic and international services provided using any network technology, on a facilities based or resale basis, for public and non-public use, in the following market segments (these correspond to the following CPC numbers: 7521, 7522, 7523, 7524**, 7525, 7526 and 7529**, broadcasting is excluded): a. Voice telephone services 1) None except for:2 1) None b. Packet switched data transmission services c. Circuit-switched data transmissions services & d. Telex services e. Telegraph services f. Facsimile services E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation-wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from30. ll. 19983. IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000, and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public-J/oice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. 2 Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is still pending. applications for further licences to be received as from 1 August 98. m c •"l O o» M 3 O o 3 3 c 3 3 CS. a 3 cr m C/5 <-* <-* 8 Modes of supply: r Sector or sub-sector Î) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments j g. Leased circuit services 2) None 3) None except for:4 2) None 3) None E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from 30. 11. 19985. IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000 and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. {>} 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. m e •1 o •a '8 3 O o 3 3 c 3 3 a. CP 3 a* a •-» 8 4 Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is still pending. sA p?l kai \ o «a for further licences to be received as from 1 August 9 8. EME! Modes of supply; 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments Other services: Mobile and personal communications services and systems 1) None except for: 1) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 2) None 3) None except for: 2) None 3) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. PI c 3 •a 9 3 3 e 3 10 3 ex 3 er C/5 8 European Communities and Member States ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES SCOPE; The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic telecommunications services underpinning the market access commitments by the European Communities and their Member States. DEFINITIONS: User mean service consumer and service suppliers. Essential facilities mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network and service that a) b) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; and cannot feasibly be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a service. A major suppliers a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of participation (having regard to price and supply) in the relevant market for basic telecommunications services as a result of: a) b) 1. control over essential facilities; or use of its position in the market. COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS: 1. 1. Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications: Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 1. 2. Safeguards: The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: a) b) c) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical information about essential facilities and commercially relevant information which are necessary for them to provide services. 2. INTERCONNECTION: This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport 2. 1. networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another suopiier and to access services provided by another supplier. 15 European Communities and Member States 2. 2. Interconnection to be ensured: Within the limits of permitted market access, interconnect ion with a major supplier will be ensured at any technically feasible point in the network. Such interconnection is provided6: a) b) c) under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its subsidiaries or other affiliates7; in a timely fashion, on terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay for network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be provided; and upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to the majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary additional facilities. 2. 3. Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations : The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly available. 2. 4. Transparency of interconnection arrangements: It is ensured that a major supplier will make publicly available either its interconnection agreements or a reference interconnection offer. 2. 5. Interconnection : dispute settlement: A service supplier requesting interconnection with a major supplier will have recourse, either : a) b) at any time or after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known to an independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate terms, conditions and rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that these have not been established previously. «Suppliers of services or networks not generally available to the public, such as closed user groups, have guaranteed rights to connect with the public telecommunications transport network or services on terms, conditions and rates which are non-discnm. natory. transparent and cost-oriented. Such terms, conditions and rates may. however, vary from the terms, conditions and rates apphcable to interconnects between public telecommunications networks or services. 'Different terms, conditions and rates may be set in the Community for operators in different market segments, on the basis of non-discriminatory and transparent national licensing proviens, where such differences can be objectively justified because ±c. sc scrvces are not considered "like services". lb liuropean Communities and Member States 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE: Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to maintain. Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se, provided they are administered in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and are not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 4. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF LICENSING CRITERIA: Where a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available: a) all the licensing criteria and the period of time normally required to reach a decision concerning an application for a licence and b) the terms and conditions of individual licences. The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 5. INDEPENDENT REGULATORS: The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic telecommunications services. The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with respect to all market participants. 6. ALLOCATION AND USE OF SCARCE RESOURCES: Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required. 11- DECISION ON COMMITMENTS IN BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Council for Trade in Services, Having regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications, Having regard to the results of the negotiations conducted under the terms of the Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Acting upon the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, Decides as follows: 1. To adopt the text of the "Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services" (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to take note of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in die Attachment to the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications. 2. Commencing immediately and continuing until the date of entry into force of the Protocol Members concerned shall, to the fullest extent consistent with their existing legislation and regulations, not take measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings resulting from these negotiations. 3. During the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997. a Member which has a Schedule of. Commitments annexed to chc Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Article II Exemptions. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Article II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period. 4. A Group on basic telecommunications reporting to the Council for Trade in Services shall conduct consultations on die implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing its work no later than 90 days from the adoption of the Decision. 5. The Council for Trade in Services shall monitor the acceptance of the Protocol by Members- concerned and shall, at the request of a Member, examine any concerns raised regarding the application of paragraph 2 above. 6. Members of the World Trade Organization which have not annexed 10 the Protocol Schedules of Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Article II may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Liste of Exemptions from Arricle II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. i* WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Telecommunications BestcTc 15 February 1997 (91-0615) REPORT OF THE GROUP ON BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1. This repon is made in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic Telecommunications, adopted by the Council for Trade in Services on 30 April 1996 (S/L/19). In paragraph 1 of this Decision, the Council also adopted the text of the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services and took note of the Schedules of Comniirments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Repon of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications (S/NGBT/18). 2. The Decision on Oammiimenis on Basic Telecommunications established the Group on Basic Telecommunications to "conduct consultations on the implementation of paragraph 3 of the Decision". Paragraph 3 states that "during the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997, a Member which has a Schedule of Conimitments annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Article II Exemptions" and that "any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Article II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period'". At the Group's first meeting in July 1996, participants suggested that the principal issues before 3. the GBT included the desirability of improving the quantity and quality of Schedules offered, and the need to address certain issues which had been left unresolved in April. Subsequently, the Group sponsored frequent rounds of bilateral negotiations on offers and regularly included discussion of outstanding issues in its meetings. In November participants began submitting revised draft offers of commitments on basic teleconimunications for consideration. The Group's Report to the Council on Trade in Services (S/GBT/2). which formed pan of the Report to the Singapore Ministerial Conference, recommended that Ministers "stress their ODmmitmcnt to bring the negotiations on basic telecommunications to a successful conclusion by 15 February 1997. urge all WTO Members to strive for significant, balanced and rorniiscriminaiory liberalization œrTinutrnents on basic telecorrimiinicaiions by that date and recognize the tmportance of resolving the principal issues before the GBT". The Declaration adopted by Ministers in Singapore (WT/MlN(96)/DEC) contained a commitment to'"achieve a successful conclusion to the negotiations on basic telecommunications in February 1997M. Ministers also stated "We are determined to obtain a progressively higher level of liberalization in services on a mutually advantageous basis with appropriate flexibility for individual developing country members, as envisaged in the agreement, in the continuing negotiations and those scheduled to begin no later than 1 January 2000. In this context, we look forward to full MFN agreements based on improved market access commitments and national treatment". 4. In its discussions on outstanding issues, die Group considered the following matters: ways to ensure accurate scheduling of commitments - particularly with respect to supply of services over satellites and to Lhe management of radio spectrum; potential anti-competitive distortion of trade in international services; the status of intergovernmental satellite organizations in relation to GATS provisions; and the extent to which basic telecommunications commitments include transport of video and/or broadcast signals within their scope. '9 5. The Chairman issued notes reflecting his understanding of the position reached in discussion of the scheduling of corrmutments and management of radio spectrum. Hie first such Note set out a number of assumptions applicable to the scheduling of comrnitmeni^ and was intended to assist m ensuring the transparency of commitments (S/GBT/W/2/Rev. 1 of 16 January 1997). The second addressed the allocation of radio spectrum, suggesting that the inclusion of references to the availability of spectrum in schedules was unnecessary and diat such references should be deleted (S/GBTAV73 of 3 February 1997). These Notes are attached to this Report. 6. By 15 February 1997 the total number of schedules submitted had reached 55 (counting as one the offer of the European Communities and their Member States). Nine governments had submitted lists of Article H Exemptions. The Group noted that five countries had taken Article H exemptions in respect of the appl ication 7» of differential accounting rates to services and service suppliers of other Members, in the light of the fact that the accounting rate system established under the International Telecornmunications Regulations is the usual method of terminating international traffic and by its nature involves differential rates, and in order to avoid the submission of further such exemptions, it is the understanding of the Group that: the application of such accounting rates would not give rise to action by Members under dispute settlement under the WTO; and that this understanding will be reviewed not later than the commencement of the further Round of negotiations on Services Cornmitments due to begin not later than 1 January 2000. The Group also recalled paragraph 6 of the Decision of 30 April, which stated that Members 8. of the World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules cf Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Ankle 11 may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. 9. At its meeting of 15 February 1997. the Group adopted this report and the attached list of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Article II Exemptions, which, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic Telecommunications, will be attached to the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in replacement of those attached on 30 April 1996. 2*0 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Telecommunications S/GBT/4 Page 3 16 January 1997 (97-0173) Note bv the Chairman Revision It has been suggested by a number of delegations that it might be helpful to produce a brief and simple note on assumptions applicable to the scheduling of commitments in basic télécoms. The purpose of the attached note is to assist delegations in ensuring the transparency of their commitments and to promote a better understanding of the meaning of commitments. This note is not imended to have or acquire any binding legal status. NOTES FOR SCHEDULING BASIC TELECOM SERVICES COMMITMENTS Unless otherwise noted in the sector column, any basic telecom service listed in the sector 1. column: (a) encompasses local, long distance and international services for public and non-public use; (b) may be provided on a facilities-basis or by resale: and (c) may be provided through any means of technology (e. g. , cable1, wireless, satellites). 2. Subsector (g) -private leased circuit services - involves the ability of service suppliers to sell or lease any type of network capacity for the supply of services listed in any other basic télécom-service subsector unless otherwise noted in the sector column. This would include capacity via cable, satellite and wireless network. 3. In view of points 1 and 2 above, if should not be necessary to list cellular or mobile services as a separate subsector. However, a number of Members have done so, and a number of offers have commitmcFás only in these subseaors. Therefore, in order to avoid extensive changes in schedules. it would seem appropriate for Members to maintain separate entries for these subsectors. indue rypes oî cab! l< WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 3 February 1997 (97-0415) Group oo Basic Telecommunications Original: English CHAIRMAN'S NOTE Market Access Linrnarions on Spectrum Availability Many Members have entries in the market access column of their schedules indicating thai commitments are "subject to availability of sr^crxurn/frequency" or similar wording. In light of the physical nature of spectrum and the constraints inherent in its use, it is understandable that Members may have sought to rely on these words to adequately protect legitimate spectrum management policies. There is, however, doubt that words such as "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" as listed in the market access column of many Members* schedules achieve that objective. Spectrum/frequency management is not, per se, a measure which needs to be listed under Article XVI. Furthermore under the GATS each Member has die right to exercise spectrum/frequency management, which may affect the number of service suppliers, provided that this is done in accordance with Article VI and other relevant provisions of the GATS. This includes the abihty to allocate frequency bands taking into account existing and fumre needs. Also, Members which have made additional commitment in line with the Reference Paper on regulatory principles are bound by its paragraph 6 Therefore, words such as "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" are unnecessary and should be deleted from Members' schedules. 2X ISSN 0257-9553 COM(97) 368 final DOCUMENTOS PT 15 08 11 N. ° de catálogo : CB-CO-97-356-PT-C ISBN 92-78-22668-8 Serviço das Publicações Oficiais das Comunidades Europeias L-2985 Luxemburgo