OEA/Ser.G
CP/INF.4580/01
12 October 2001
Original: Spanish
NOTE FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF NICARAGUA TRANSMITTING
THE REPORT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE NINTH MEETING OF
THE FTAA TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE [KFC1]
PERMANENT MISSION OF NICARAGUA
TO THE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Washington, D.C.
No. 251-01October 10, 2001
Excellency:
I have the honor to address Your Excellency to transmit to you the Report on the Outcome of the Ninth Meeting of the FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee, held in Managua from September 26 to 28, 2001 and ask that you kindly circulate it to the missions.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.
/s/
Lombardo Martínez
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
His Excellency
Ambassador Swinburne A.S. Lestrade
Permanent Representative of Dominica to the
Organization of American States and
Chair of the Permanent Council
Washington, D.C.
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PERMANENT MISSION OF NICARAGUA
TO THE
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Washington, D.C.
REPORT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE
FTAA TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE
MANAGUA, SEPTEMBER 26-28, 2001
The Ninth Meeting of the FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) was held in Managua from September 26 to 28, 2001. The Committee is composed of the vice ministers responsible for trade-related issues.
The meeting was opened on September 26 with a proposal from Ms. Azucena Castillo, Vice Minister of Development, Industry, and Trade of Nicaragua, that the vice ministers prepare a statement condemning the September 11 attacks on New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, which have serious repercussions on trade and on the safety of business operations. Vice Minister Castillo’s proposal was welcomed and unanimously approved by the participants, and the statement was read at the close of the Ninth Meeting of the TNC (please see attachment).
- Reports from the different FTAA bodies
- The chairs of the different FTAA bodies presented their reports on the progress made in fulfilling the mandates emanating from the Ministerial Declaration of Buenos Aires[KFC2]; they in turn received concrete guidance on how to proceed in the next phase.
- Channels of communication were established among the Committee on Institutional Issues[KFC3], the TNC, and other FTAA bodies.
- The mandate for the negotiating groups to establish due coordination with the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies[KFC4] was reiterated.
- Follow-up on the mandates from the Ministerial Declaration of Buenos Aires
The different mandates emanating from the Ministerial Declaration of Buenos Aires were reviewed. The topics that generated the most discussion dealt with the establishment of new negotiating groups, but no consensus was reached on creating new groups.
It was decided to have the Committee of Government Representatives on Civil Society[KFC5] assess the different options for fostering increased communication with civil society in the countries and present a work plan that includes resources and execution periods.
The vice ministers agreed to forward the proposals presented by civil society to the different FTAA bodies for analysis and consideration, as appropriate.
They also agreed thatthe Committee of Experts on Business Facilitation Measures[KFC6]should hold another meeting and report thereon to the chair of the TNC regarding the customs procedures pending implementation. The Tripartite Committee [KFC7](composed of the IDB, the OAS, and ECLAC) will evaluate needs and available resources, to facilitate implementation of those measures.
3.Handling the differences in the levels of development and size of the economies in the Hemisphere
This was the most significant topic discussed at the Ninth Meeting of the TNC–and one of the most controversial. Finally, following lengthy deliberations, guidelines were approved for handling the differences in the levels of development and size of the economies in the Hemisphere–a topic of particular interest to Nicaragua as a smaller economy. Vice Minister Castillo from that country was the leader on this topic for Central America.
It was also decided that the TNC would continue its discussions based on the approved document, in order to incorporate new guidelines as the negotiation process advances.
4.Budgetary and administrative matters
- There was a unanimous decision to renew the contract of Mr. Iván Ogando, Director of the Administrative Secretariat of the FTAA. Mr. Ogando’s work was acknowledged, as was that of his team and of the Tripartite Committee.
- The schedule of meetings for October 2001-April 2002 was approved.
Finally, all the delegations congratulated Nicaragua and recognized the strong organization of the meeting and the excellent hospitality received. Likewise, all the delegations congratulated Mr.Mento Villagómez, Chair of the TNC, for his role in obtaining the results achieved at this meeting.
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STATEMENT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE
FTAA TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE
We, the Vice Ministers of Trade in the 34 FTAA countries, meeting in Managua, Nicaragua at the Ninth Meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA),
STRONGLY CONDEMN the terrorist acts committed on September 11, 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania in the United States, which resulted in significant loss of human life, as well as material damages, causing great dismay in the international community of nations;
STRESS that these terrorist acts undermine the very foundation of harmonious, civilized relations among nations and severely disrupt international peace and security;
VEHEMENTLY AND CATEGORICALLY CONDEMN terrorism in all of its forms, whatever its political, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious, or other motivations may be;
REAFFIRM our commitment to establishing the FTAA and adhering to the schedule of negotiations established by the ministers responsible for FTAA trade in April 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and
REITERATE that these events will not alter the economic agenda or trade integration in the Hemisphere, which are the bases for economic and social development in the Americas.
[KFC1]1
[KFC2]1
[KFC3]1FTAA web site
[KFC4]1FTAA web site
[KFC5]1FTAA web site
[KFC6]1
[KFC7]1