Council for Trade in Services - Implementation of Specific Commitments in Telecommunications Services - Request for a Waiver - Communication from Albania

World Trade Organization RESTRICTED S/L/148 21 November 2003 (03-6216) Council for Trade in Services Original: English IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONs sERVICES REQUEST FOR A WAIVER Communication from Albania The following communication, dated 20 November 2003, from the delegation of Albania is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services. _______________ T he Government of Albania hereby submits to the Council for Trade in Services a request for a waiver to allow Albania to postpone until 1 January 2005 the application of commitments undertaken in its GATS Schedule with respect to the exclusivity granted to Albtelecom SH.A ("Albtelecom") for the transmission through its network of international public voice telephony services. This request is presented in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article IX of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. The exceptional cir