Public
FTAA.ngsv/com/06/Rev.1
March 3, 2000

Original: English

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

SIXTH MEETING
 
Miami, February 29 - March 3, 2000

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

The sixth meeting of the FTAA Negotiating Group on Services (NGSV) took place in Miami, Florida from February 29th to March 3rd, 2000. Delegates from the following twenty-five countries were present: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The agenda of the meeting is attached to this Communique. The NGSV agreed on a Work Program for this year in order to assist in the development of the draft text of the chapter on services. The NGSV discussed all the items on its agenda. The NGSV agreed to hold its next meeting from May 30th to June 2nd.

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

February 29 - March 3, 2000

AGENDA

1. Opening of the meeting and approval of agenda
   
2. Report of the Chair on the Mandate agreed at the Fifth Trade Ministerial Meeting
   
3. Methodology and Structure of work
   
4. Discussion of 6 elements of consensus
   
   • Sectoral Coverage
   • Most Favored Nation (MFN) Treatment
   • National Treatment
   • Market Access
   • Transparency
   • Denial of Benefits
     
5. Discussion of other possible issues to be included in an agreement on services
   
6. Next Steps in Preparing Draft Text and Schedule of Work
   
7. Technical Assistance (paragraphs 29 (b) and (c) of Toronto Declaration)
   
   • National Contact Points
   • Inventories of Measures affecting Trade in Services
   • ECLAC regional seminars
   • Statistics Work Program
     
8. Press Communiqué and Chair´s Summary Report
   
9. Other Business