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FTAA.ngsv/com/18
August 9, 2002

Original: English

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

Eighteenth Meeting

Panama City, Panama, August 5 – 9, 2002

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

The eighteenth meeting of the FTAA Negotiating Group on Services (NGSV) took place in Panama City from August 5- 9, 2002. Delegates from the following 22 countries were present: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The NGSV discussed all of the items in the agenda, which is attached to this Communiqué.

The next meeting of the NGSV will be held in Panama during September 9 – 12, 2002.

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON SERVICES

AGENDA

1. Approval of the Agenda

2. Finalization of Report to the TNC

3. Presentation of New Proposals

4. Discussion of the Draft Consolidated Text on Services
   • Scope of application and sectoral coverage
   • Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) Treatment
   • National Treatment
   • Denial of benefits
   • Definitions
   • Elements related to the above
   • Possible issues of a cross-cutting nature
   
   
5. Discussion on modalities and procedures

6. Reports from other FTAA Groups and Committees

7. Submissions from Civil Society*

8. Other Issues

9. Chair’s Report

10. Press Communiqué