Negotiating Group on Rules - Submission on Regional Trade Agreements by the European Communities - Paper by the European Communities

World Trade Organization TN/RL/W/179 12 May 2005 (05-1936) Negotiating Group on Rules Original: English SUBMISSION ON REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Paper by the European Communities The following submission, dated 10 May 2005, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the European Communities. _______________ SECOND SUBMISSION ON REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES This second submission of the European Communities sets out proposals on some of the core substantive provisions under GATT Article XXIV. The proposals build on the EC’s previous submission (TN/RL/W/14) on the overall approach to, and scope of, the DDA mandate. The present submission is limited to some core systemic issues under GATT Article XXIV and is without prejudice to the position of the European Communities on future transparency requirements for all RTAs, as well as other substantive disciplines under GATT Article XXIV,