JAPAN - TAXES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

                           Request to join in Consultations under Article 4.11 of the DSU

                                       Communication from the European Community

        The following communication, dated 17 July 1995, from the Permanent Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities to the Permanent Mission of Japan is circulated at the request of the Permanent Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities.

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        With regard to Canada's request for consultations under Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and under Article 4:11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU) concerning the domestic taxation of alcoholic beverages in Japan (cf. document WT/DS10/1), the European Communities request to be joined in these consultations in accordance with the provisions of Article 4:11 of the DSU.  As is apparent from the enclosed statistics, the European Communities have a substantial trade interest in this matter.

        The European Communities have no objection against a joint meeting in which both Canada's request for consultations under Article XXII:1 and the European Communities' request under XXII:1 on the above-mentioned subject would be discussed, it being understood that all the procedural rights of the European Communities shall remain unaffected, i.e., that in every respect the consultations requested by the European Communities shall continue to be considered as independent and distinct from Canada's request for consultations on the same subject.