Negotiating Group on Rules - Compendium of Issues Related to Regional Trade Agreements - Background Note by the Secretariat

World Trade Organization RESTRICTED TN/RL/W/8 21 May 2002 (02-2804) Negotiating Group on Rules compendium of issues related to regional trade agreements Background Note by the Secretariat The Negotiating Group on Rules, at its meeting of 8 May 2002, requested the Secretariat to prepare a background note which could assist delegations in the preparation of submissions and proposals in the context of paragraph 29 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. The present note provides a compendium of issues related to regional trade agreements (RTAs) that have been generated by work within the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) and discussions in other WTO Bodies, from 1996 to date. Mention is also made to relevant findings in WTO panel and Appellate Body reports. A structured checklist of issues is presented in Part I, to facilitate consideration. A more extended guidebook to the issues is found in Part II, including background information, as well as