FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS
SIXTH MEETING OF MINISTERS OF TRADE
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
APRIL 7, 2001

ANNEX I
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE NEGOTIATING GROUPS

A) MARKET ACCESS

1. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to submit to the Trade Negotiations Committee, in coordination with the Negotiating Group on Agriculture recommendations on the methods and modalities for tariff negotiations by April 1, 2002 to be considered by the TNC at its first meeting following that date, in order to initiate negotiations no later than May 15, 2002.

2. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to determine, by the deadline of April 1, 2002, the timetable and modalities for establishing FTAA rules of origin, to be evaluated by the TNC at its first meeting following that date in order to initiate negotiations no later than May 15, 2002.

3. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to accelerate the process of identifying non-tariff measures, so as to have, by April 1, 2002, a preliminary inventory of such measures, in order to establish a methodology, including a schedule, where appropriate, for the elimination, reduction, definition, further definition, further disciplining and / or prevention of non-tariff barriers.

4. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to work, in coordination with the Negotiating Group on Agriculture and the Tripartite Committee, to ensure that the Hemispheric Data Base is fully operational by November 1, 2001.

5. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to intensify the negotiation of a safeguards regime applicable to the goods of the Hemisphere and to submit to the Trade Negotiations Committee, by the deadline of April 1, 2002 a report on the progress made in this issue area.

6. We instruct the Negotiating Group on Market Access to work in coordination with the Negotiating Group on Agriculture, when they deem it necessary, to address issues of common interest