Uruguay Round (1986-1994): results of the multilateral trade negociations

This proposal for a decision concerns the adoption by the Community of decisions taken during the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations (1986-1994). Following the signature of the final act of these negotiations at the sessions on 13, 14 and 15 December 1993, the final texts now need to be formally adopted by the Community. These texts are: - the agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) together with a number of corresponding annexes (multilateral agreements on trade in goods, memorandum of understanding on dispute settlement, mechanism for reviewing trade policies); - ministerial decrees and declarations on areas of common interest (e.g. measures in favour of less developed countries); - a memorandum of agreement on commitments relating to financial services; - a series of multilateral agreements (trade in civil aircraft, public procurement, milk and bovine meat); - bilateral arrangements negotiated on the fringe of the Uruguay Round (bovine meat). Not all these texts have the same legal effect because some are legally binding, while others are political commitments. However, it would appear to be preferable to adopt these texts as a whole in order to maintain the "single undertaking" format which prevailed during negotiations. This overall agreement also includes a formal commitment by all the partners to pursue negotiations in the service sector (basic telecommunications, financial services, maritime transport and passenger transport) and in the civil aviation sector.�