EUROPEAN UNION ‒ SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON CERTAIN STEEL PRODUCTS

Communication from the Panel

The following communication, dated 24 March 2022, was received from the Chairman of the Panel with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

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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.

Subsequently, at Turkey's request and with the acquiescence of the European Union, the Panel extended the suspension, first until 11 February 2022, then until 25 February 2022, and then until 25 March 2022.

On 22 March 2022, Turkey and the European Union jointly requested the Panel to suspend its work indefinitely pursuant to Article 12.12 of the DSU, except to the extent necessary to effect certain joint requests of the parties. On 24 March 2022, the Panel decided to grant that suspension request.

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

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