News
Releases
Peter Mandelson
No. 60/05
June 2, 2005
EU PUTS FORWARD REVISED SERVICES OFFER
IN DOHA ROUND NEGOTIATIONS
Today the European Commission has transmitted
to the WTO the EU’s revised services offer in the
Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations. The revised
offer outlines how the EU is prepared to open further
access to its services market in exchange for improved
access to other WTO Members’ markets. While ambitious
in scope, and responding in many ways to requests for
access from developing countries, the EU’s offer safeguards
public services such as education, health and audio-visual
services. The offer is fully public, and can now be seen
on the
Directorate General for Trade website.
EU Trade
Commissioner
Peter Mandelson said: “The EU services market is
one of the most open in the world and in 2003 the EU put
forward one of the best initial offers. Today the EU is
showing leadership by presenting an ambitious revised
offer that further enhances those trade opportunities
and responds to the interests expressed by developing
countries. Time is running out for others to match our
level of ambition and bring real market access opportunities
to the table. This is essential for a successful and balanced
agreement at the Hong Kong WTO Ministerial Conference.”
Services are critical for any economy. The services
sector is already contributing more to economic growth
and job creation worldwide than any other sector. In the
EU, services constitute the single most dynamic part of
the economy, accounting for more than 66% of GDP and employment.
No country can prosper today without an effective service
sector. For this reason, an ambitious deal on services
for Doha is a prerequisite for a successful round – both
for developed and developing countries.
Responding to the requests submitted by other WTO Members,
and in particular by developing countries, this offer
builds on the EU’s comprehensive initial offer which was
put forward in April 2003. The revised offer reflects
the fact that EU market has grown to 25 Member States
and 455 million consumers. It contains a significant number
of new commitments, including in the field of the temporary
movement of services providers. It also extends new market
access in sectors such as: legal and professional services,
computer, management consulting and other business services;
telecommunication, postal and courier services; construction;
distribution; energy and environmental services; financial
services; tourism; maritime transport and beauty and well-being
services.
The offer is also tailored in a way that ensures that
public services within the EU are fully safeguarded and
no commitments are proposed in the areas of education,
health and audio-visual services. It has been prepared
in close consultation with the European Parliament, the
Member States and EU civil society.
The EU now encourages other WTO Members to submit ambitious
offers. As specified in its services requests of January
2005, the EU asks the least-developed countries and the
more vulnerable economies to make offers only for a limited
number of sectors.
Further Contact Information
Press and Media Relations
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
