Public
FTAA.sme/com/24
January 26, 2004

Original: English

FTAA - CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES

Twenty-Fourth Meeting

Puebla, Mexico, 13 – 14 January, 2004

PRESS COMMUNIQUÉ 

1. The Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies (CGSE) was held in Puebla, Mexico, on 13 and 14 January 2004. The meeting was attended by delegates from the following countries: Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Venezuela.
   
   

2. The CGSE adopted the agenda, which is attached hereto.
   
   

3. The CGSE discussed the results of the Eight Ministerial Meeting of the FTAA, held in Miami, USA, on November 20th 2003, and focused on the mandates to the CGSE. At the request of delegations, the Tripartite Committee prepared a draft document which identified key elements of the Miami Declaration related to the CGSE. 
   
   

4. In accordance with the Miami Ministerial declaration the CGSE began preliminary discussions on the formulation of recommendations to the TNC on the characteristics of a Permanent Committee on the treatment of differences in the levels of development and size of economies so that it forms part of the institutional framework of the FTAA. These discussions will continue at the next meeting.
   
   

5. The CGSE received a preliminary draft document prepared by the Tripartite Committee which identified various financing mechanisms in support of regional integration. This document will be discussed at the XXV meeting.
    

6. With respect to the issue of the organisation of roundtable meetings, the CGSE agreed that the Tripartite Committee will prepare a tentative schedule of these meetings based on the submissions of countries/subregions which will serve to keep all delegations informed of the dates of these events. The Tripartite Committee also indicated its willingness to provide logistical support for these meetings and will send the reports of these meetings (based on inputs from countries participating in these meetings) to the FTAA Administrative Secretariat for dissemination to all delegations.
    

7. The Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the CGSE will be held on the date indicated in the next FTAA meetings schedule.
   
    

FTAA - CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON SMALLER ECONOMIES

Twenty-Fourth Meeting

Puebla, Mexico, January 13-14, 2004

AGENDA

1.0  Approval of the agenda

2.0 Mandates from the Miami Ministerial to the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies

2.1 Treatment of the differences in the levels of development and size of the economies

- Formulation of recommendations to the TNC on the characteristics of a Permanent Committee on the application of the treatment of differences in the level of development and size of economies so that it forms part of the institutional framework of the FTAA.

- Analysis of this issue in light of the progress made in this matter in the World Trade Organization

2.2 Hemispheric Cooperation Program

- Formulation of recommendations to the TNC on financing methods and facilities to address the adjustment needs resulting from the differences in the levels of development and size of the economies of the hemisphere
- List of documents that have been presented within the CGSE on alternative financial mechanisms

- Financial mechanisms that exist outside the FTAA process, in relation to the contents of document “Treatment of Differences in the Levels of Development and Size of Economies”

- Further work to develop the HCP by identifying the modalities and procedures for the management and implementation of the HCP once the FTAA negotiations are completed.

- Report to the TNC throughout the year on progress under the HCP including, work of countries to organize subregional roundtable meetings with donors within four to six months

3.0 Work Program for 2004

4.0 Other Business
4.1 Civil Society
4.2 Business Facilitation
4.3 Studies
4.4 Project Profiles and Technical Assistance Database