EUROPEAN UNION ‒ SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON CERTAIN STEEL PRODUCTS

SUSPENSION OF PANEL WORK

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 25 February 2022, was received from the Chairperson of the Panel with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body.

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The Panel Report in European Union — Safeguard Measures on Certain Steel Products (WT/DS595) was scheduled to be circulated on 21 December 2021. On 20 December 2021, Turkey requested the Panel to suspend its work, pursuant to Article 12.12 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), until and including Friday 21 January 2022. The same day, the European Union stated that it did not object to the request for suspension.

Article 12.12 of the DSU provides that the Panel may suspend its work at any time at the request of the complaining party for a period not exceeding 12 months.

In view of this, on 20 December 2021 the Panel decided to grant the suspension requested by Turkey until and including 21 January 2022.

On 11 January 2022, the Panel informed the parties that absent an additional request from Turkey to suspend the Panel's work for a period beyond 21 January 2022, the Panel Report would be circulated among Members on or shortly after 25 January 2022. On 19 January 2022, Turkey requested the Panel pursuant to Article 12.12 of the DSU to extend the suspension of the Panel's work until and including Friday, 11 February 2022. The European Union did not object to Turkey's request.

In view of this, on 20 January 2022, the Panel decided to grant the suspension requested by Turkey until and including 11 February 2022.

On 4 February 2022, the Panel informed the parties that absent an additional request from Turkey to suspend the Panel's work for a period beyond 11 February 2022, the Panel Report would be circulated among Members on or shortly after 14 February 2022. On 9 February 2022, Turkey requested the Panel pursuant to Article 12.12 of the DSU to extend the suspension of the Panel's work until and including Friday, 25 February 2022. The European Union did not object to Turkey's request.

In view of this, on 10 February 2022, the Panel decided to grant the suspension requested by Turkey until and including 25 February 2022.

On 18 February 2022, the Panel informed the parties that absent an additional request from Turkey to suspend the Panel's work for a period beyond 25 February 2022, the Panel Report would be circulated among Members in the week of 28 February 2022. On 23 February 2022, Turkey requested the Panel pursuant to Article 12.12 of the DSU to extend the suspension of the Panel's work until and including Friday, 25 March 2022. The European Union did not object to Turkey's request.

In view of this, on 24 February 2022, the Panel decided to grant the suspension requested by Turkey until and including 25 March 2022.

The Panel hereby informs the Dispute Settlement Body of this suspension and asks that this communication be circulated to Members.

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