Ref. Ares(2020)6927383 - 19/11/2020
Art. 4.1(a)
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Art. 4.1(a)
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Art. 4.1(a)
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For pharmaceuticals,
focus on discussion of practical application of transparency in price setting.. First
discussion of the recent EC wines and spirits paper more of an explanatory nature. KR
signalled potential difficulties as regards the protection of traditional expressions and for
wine labelling.
The group on
rules of origin discussed the protocol and continued with their first reading
of the list rules (product specific rules). Text based discussions focussed on aspects of
certification, and monitoring visits, and KR recalled the open question of the Kaesong
industrial zone. Other open issues are cumulation, sufficient processing, direct transport,
and drawback. The product specific examination was completed, covering chapters 25-
49, and 64-97, where KR proposed more lenient rules for a number of goods notably in
chapters 84 and 85.
KR now accepts the structure of the EU text on trade in
services and establishment, and
some progress was made on removing brackets from the text. Progress was also achieved
on regulatory provisions for financial services, telecoms and e-commerce. However,
Art. 4.1(a)
during the formal sessions,
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The main substantive issues still
remain unresolved (MFN, review, ratchet clause, application of different disciplines in
non-services sectors).
Useful discussions on
IPR re-examined the full text, and some new EU and Korean
drafting suggestions, including for the first time a presentation of the EU’s GI proposal.
The main difficult issues have been clearly identified; Copyright – remuneration;
enforcement – scope and relationship with trademarks; GI’s – scope; data exclusivity –
length of protection. Some other substantive questions also remain to the addressed as
well.
Overall, another intense and useful negotiating round which did not bring about a break
through, but which produced good progress on IPR, some progress on NTBs, rules of
origin, and services and establishment, and which allowed for important technical
discussions on tariffs.
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Art. 4.1(a)
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In addition, substantive NTB
commitments will have to be a central part of any future FTA.
Detailed follow-up has again been agreed. At the next and 5th round in Brussels (19 – 23
November 2007), discussions are expected to cover again all aspects of the FTA.
Art. 4.1(b)
Ignacio GARCIA BERCERO
Enclosures
CC:
Messrs. O'Sullivan, Falkenberg, Balas, Directors, Assistants,
Asia team C-3, DG Trade
Korea FTA task force
Ms. Nikolay, Cabinet Mandelson
Art. 4.1(b)
Seoul Delegation:
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