DATE=4/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=E-U / CHINA / W-T-O (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261127
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=LUXEMBOURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The European Union trade negotiator says the
group's foreign ministers have given him flexibility
in new talks with China about entering the World Trade
Organization. Correspondent Ron Pemstein reports from
Luxembourg, where the foreign ministers are meeting.
TEXT: Trade talks between China and the European
Union broke down last month because of E-U insistence
that European firms gain a greater share of China's
telecommunications and insurance market.
The European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy,
discussed the situation (Monday) with E -U foreign
ministers and says he has won greater flexibility in
resuming talks with China. Mr. Lamy says he cannot go
into details, but says he believes China is also ready
to be more flexible.
The European Union is the largest trade group that has
not yet agreed on the terms for China to enter the
World Trade Organization.
Mr. Lamy tells reporters that E-U foreign ministers
left it up to him to decide when to return to China.
/// LAMY ACT ONE ///
Clearly, the sooner the better. But of course
it is a negotiation and, here again, substance
before timing. I have at the end of the day to
balance and then to check with the council and
the (European) Parliament whether I have got the
right balance. But I have clearly these two
things in mind.
/// END ACT ///
The United States has agreed with China on the terms
for membership in the World Trade Organization. Mr.
Lamy says he is interested in the Congressional debate
about the conditions, but they will not influence the
European negotiating position.
/// LAMY ACT TWO ///
We are following this very clearly, but I mean I
will not adopt a position which would be
depending on whether yes or not the (U-S)
Congress will agree to the deal. The European
Union has its own agenda, it has its own
position, and we cannot be dependent on them.
/// END ACT ///
Officials expect the E-U trade negotiator to return to
China by the end of this month, but he would not
confirm the timing of the resumption of talks. China
needs the agreement of the European Union to join the
World Trade Organization. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/RAE
10-Apr-2000 11:06 AM EDT (10-Apr-2000 1506 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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