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WT/REG/M/102  
 
11 April 2022 
(22-2895) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Hundredth  and Second  Session    
 
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 28 MARCH 2022 
Chairmen: Ambassador Dr. Cleopa Kilonzo MAILU (Kenya) and Ambassador H.E. Mr. Taeho LEE 
(Republic of Korea ) 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1.1.  The 102nd Session of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (hereinafter "CRTA" or the 
"Committee") was convened in Airgram WTO/AIR/RTA/27/REV.2 dated 18 March 2022.  
1.2.  The Chairman welcomed delegations to the to the 102nd Session of the CRTA. He was happy to 
see many colleagues in the room given the relaxation of various safety measures taken by the WTO 
Health Task Force. He recalled that, for the time being, the meeting was still subject to a hybrid 
approach, with some Members in the room and others connecting r emotely through Interprefy.  
1.3.  The Chairman referred to Airgram WTO/AIR/RTA/27/REV.2 dated 18 March 2022, which 
contained the Agenda for the Session of the CRTA. He noted one change to the Agenda, namely a 
request from the GCC and Singapore to postpone the r eview of the GCC -Singapore FTA to the 
following CRTA meeting in June, as the GCC was still considering the factual presentation and the 
Parties would need more time to respond to the questions from Members.  
1.4.  With respect to Agenda Item J "Other Business", he wished to inform Members about the 
proposed schedule for CRTA meetings for the rest of the year.  
1.5.  The delegation of the United States  wished to speak under Agenda Item J "Other Business" to 
preview a communication they were preparing for the next CRTA.  
1.6.  The Committee accordingly adopted  the following  Agenda:  
 Adoption of the Agenda  
 Early Announcements ( http://rtais.wto.org ) 
 Notifications of regional trade agreements  
(I) Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific 
Partnership (CPTPP) , goods and services – entry into force for Peru 
(WT/REG395/N/2 – S/C/N/920/ADD.1)  
(II) Agreement on Trade in Services between the Republic of Korea and 
Turkey (S/C/N/1078)  
(III)  Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between th e EFTA 
States and Ecuador, goods and services (WT/REG463/N/1 - 
S/C/N/1077)  
(IV) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the EFTA States, goods and 
services (WT/REG462/N/1 - S/C/N/1076)  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  (V) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the EFTA States (1992), 
goods - Notification of Termination (WT/REG86/N/2)  
(VI) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Serbia, services 
(S/C/N/1073)  
(VII)  Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Kosovo1, goods 
(WT/REG461/N/1)  
(VIII)  Free Trade Agreement between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and 
the United Kingdom, goods and services (WT/REG459/N/1 - 
S/C/N/1072)  
(IX) Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) 
member States and Serbia, goods (WT/REG458/N/1)  
 Notifica tion of changes to existing RTAs 
(I) Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China, goods 
(WT/REG237/N/1/Add.1)  
(II) Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co -operation 
between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, 
services (S/C/N/4 63/Add.1)  
(III)  Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Serbia, goods 
(WT/REG288/N/1/Add.1)  
 Non-Notified RTAs (WT/REG/W/165)  
 Status on the Preparation of Factual Presentations (WT/REG/W/166)  
 Implementation Reports under Paragraph 15 of the Transparency Mechanis m 
for RTAs - (WT/REG/W/164)  
 Consideration of Regional Trade Agreements  
(I) Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Turkey, goods 
(WT/REG434/N/1, WT/REG434/1, WT/REG434/2)  
(II) Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and Singapore, 
goods and services (WT/REG432/N/1 - S/C/N/1030, 
WT/REG432/1/Rev.1, WT/REG432/2)  
(III)  Free Trade Agreement between China and Mauritius, goods and services 
(WT/REG442/N/1 - S/C/N/1037, WT/REG442/1, WT/REG442/1/corr.1, 
WT/REG442/2)  
 Election of Officers  
 Other business  
B.  Early announcements  
1.7.  The Chairman  indicated that no early announcements had been received since 2019. He also 
noted that EFTA -Ecuador, for which an "early announc ement " had been made , had been notified.  
1.8.   The Chairman pointed out that Members had somehow "put aside" the practice of early 
announcements. He invited all Members that were active in RTAs to accordingly inform the 
 
1 Reference to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council 
resolution 1244 (1999).  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  Committee of recent developments. He also reminded Members to inform the Secretariat of any 
changes in the status of early announcements.  
C. Notifications of regional trade agreements  
1.9.  The Chairman  indicated that 9 notifications had been received since the circulation of the 
Airgram of the 101st Session of the CRTA held on 1st November 2021 and had thus been included in 
the Airgram for the S ession. Seven  out of those notifications concerned new agreements. The 
Chairman opened the floor separately for each Agreement.  
(I) Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership, goods and 
services (WT/REG395/N/2 – S/C/N/920/Add.1).  
1.10.   The representative of Peru, before addressing substantive issues concerning the entry into 
force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership  (CPTPP) , 
wished to sincerely thank New Zealand for its valuable contributions as a trustee of the CPTPP. He 
indicated that this was the 22nd RTA that Peru had entered into and the most ambitious to date 
without a doubt. It had entered into force on 19 September 2021 and marked the entry into force 
process that had begun in 2008. He thanked the public and private sectors in Peru  for their joint 
efforts . 
1.11.    With the entry into force o f the RTA Peru had opened a new phase  in its relationship with 
four members with wh ich it did not have preferential agreements: New Zealand, Viet Nam, Malaysia, 
and Brunei Darussalam. Peru had furthered its relationship with Chile, Mexico, Canad a, Japan, and 
Singapore with which it had had longstanding links. Peru used this as an opportunity for broadening 
its market for new consumers with a modern trade agreement that covered areas such as 
cooperation and support for MSMEs, as well as, backing u p the role of women in trade, and 
environmental issues.  
1.12.   In conclusion, he mentioned that Peru was currently gathering information sought by the 
Secretariat for the factual presentation that came under Peru's notification requirements. He wished 
to express  his appreciation to the Secretariat and its valuable and accessible support throughout th e 
process.  
(II) Agreement on Trade in Services between the Republic of Korea and Turkey, services 
(S/C/N/1078).  
(III) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the EFTA States and 
Ecuador, goods and services (WT/REG463/N/1 - S/C/N/1077).  
1.13.   The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties to the Agreement for the 
notification and for participating in the very valuable notification and tr ansparency exercise.  
(IV) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the EFTA States, goods and services 
(WT/REG462/N/1 -S/C/N/1076).  
1.14.   The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties to the Agreement for the 
notification and for participating in the  transparency exercise.  
(V) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the EFTA States of 1992, goods (termination 
of the Agreement; document WT/REG86/N/2).  
(VI) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Serbia, services (S/C/N/1073).  
1.15.   The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties to the Agreement for the 
transparency exercise.  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  (VII) Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Kosovo2, goods ( WT/REG461/N/1).   
1.16.   The representative of the United States  appreciated the importance of the transparency 
exercise.  
(VIII)  Free Trade Agreement between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the United 
Kingdom, goods and services ( WT/REG459/N/1 - S/C/N/1072).  
1.17.   The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties to the Agreement for the 
notification and for the transparency exercise.  
(IX) Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Serbia, goods 
(WT/REG458/N/1).   
1.18.   The representative of Canada  wished to deliver a statement concerning the current situation 
in Ukraine. Canada strongly condemned the unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ordered 
by President Putin. These attacks had considerable humanitarian consequences and had led to the 
deaths of innocent persons. Canada contin ued to believe that the whole international community 
should have been made aware of the situation. He stressed that in Canada's view the attack was 
not simply against Ukraine, but an attack against international law, including the United Nations 
Charter. He added that it also r an contrary  to democracy, freedom and human rights.  
1.19.   Lastly, Canada thanked those Members that had submitted notifications with regards to the 
entry into force of the ir regional trade agreements. Canada welcomed the transparency that  had 
been provided as a part of the Committee's on -going work.   
D. Notifications of changes to existing RTAs  
1.20.   The Chairman  noted that three notifications of changes to existing RTAs had been received 
since the 101st Session of the CRTA held on 1 November 20 21. They were:  
I. Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China, goods (WT/REG237/N/1/Add.1).  
II. Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co -operation between the Association 
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, services (S/C/N/463/Add.1).  
III. Free T rade Agreement between Turkey and Serbia, goods (WT/REG288/N/1/Add.1).  
E. Non-notified RTAs  
1.21.   The Chairman  stated that an updated list of non -notified RTAs had been circulated on 
18 March  2022 as WT/REG/W/165 and contained 59 RTAs issued in factual presentations up to 
15 March  2022. Compared to the list issued before the previous CRTA in October 2021 
(WT/REG/W /162), five RTAs had been removed and seven had been added.  
F. Status on the preparation of Factual Presentations  
1.22.   The Chairman  informed the Committee that as regards the preparation of the factual 
presentations under the remit of the CRTA – in the case of RTAs involving WTO Members only – 
there were currently  68 RTAs for which a factual presentation had to be prepared, counting goods 
and services separately. Factual presentations on a further 37 RTAs involving non -Members were to 
be prepared, counting goods  and services separately, as previously agreed by the Committee. The 
factual presentations for six other services agreements were on hold, pending the negotiation of 
services commitments. Of those, one involved non -members.  
1.23.   He had held consultations with d elegations regarding the backlog of factual presentations due 
to late receipt of data necessary for their preparation and also comments on draft factual 
presentations. He hoped that the delegations would provide the needed information as soon as 
 
2 Any r eference to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security 
Council resolution 1244 (1999).  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  possible. An updated list of all such RTAs had been recently circulated as document WT/REG/W/166, 
dated 24  March 2022.  
1.24.   As was customary, he invited a representative of the Secretariat to provide additional 
information on the status of the preparation of factual pres entations.  
1.25.   With regard to agreements among WTO Members, the representative of the Secretariat  stated 
that f or EU -Central America, UK-Chile, and UK -Canada  (goods and services) , UK-Jordan, and 
Namibia -Zimbabwe, goods only, comments had been received and the factual presentations would 
be circulated shortly. For EU -PNG, Fiji, goods, data had not been received from PNG and Fiji . With 
regard to the accession to this agreement by Samoa and the Solomon Islands, data had been 
received. For ECOWAS, goods only, some  data had been received from the Parties, but the 
information was not complete. For Korea -Central America, goods and services, and Turkey -Korea, 
services only, the factual presentation s were being drafted and would be sent for comments soon. 
For ASEAN -Hong Kong, China and AFTA, the Secretariat was awaiting data from  ASEAN. For India -
Mauritius, services only, the Secretariat was awaiting data from  India. Data requests had been sent 
recently for factual presentations on Turkey -EFTA, EFTA -Ecuador and the entry  into force of the 
CPTPP for Peru. For the GCC, goods, and GCC -Singapore, services, responses were awaited from 
the Parties to Members' questions.  
1.26.   With regard to the notifications involving the United Kingdom , for UK -Kenya and UK -ESA, 
goods only, and UK -Switzerland and Liechtenstein, goods and services, the factual presentations 
had been recently sent to the Parties for comment. Factual presentations were being drafted on the 
UK's Agreements with the following parties: Tunisia, Albania, Korea, Japan, Georgi a, Mexico, the EU 
and North Macedonia. For the remaining agreements involving the UK, the Secretariat was still 
awaiting data or further clarifications from a number of the non -UK parties.  
1.27.   As regards agreements involving non -members, data for UK-Serbia had been received and 
the Secretariat would shortly start drafting the factual presentation. For the CIS Agreement, goods, 
some comments had been received but not from all the Parties. For the EAEU -Iran Agreement, 
goods, the deadline for data sub mission had been 22 June 2020 and no data had been received from 
any of the Parties. For the following agreements data was not complete: EFTA -Lebanon, Turkey -
Syria, Ukraine -Azerbaijan, Ukraine -Turkmenistan, and the Russian Federation -Turkmenistan. The 
data requests had been made a few years ago. For the accession of the Comoros to the EU -ESA 
Agreement data had been due on 30 March 2021 ; the Secretariat had already received data from 
the EU. For UK -Faeroe Islands, UK -Lebanon, and UK -Cariforum, data had been due on 5 May 2021, 
on these Agreements data had been  received from the UK only. For UK -Palestine data had been due 
on 10 May 2021. For UK -Kosovo3 data had been due on 12 May 2021. The Secretariat was still 
awaiting most of the data for those agreements fr om the non -UK parties. Data requests had also 
been sent for recently received notifications: Turkey -Serbia and Turkey -Kosovo.  
G. IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS UNDER PARAGRAPH 15 OF THE TRANSPARENCY 
MECHANISM FOR RTAS - (WT/REG/W/164)  
1.28.   The Chairman  informed Members  that an updated schedule for the submission of 
implementation reports had been distributed by the Secretariat (document WT/REG/W/164). The 
document had indicated that, as of 31 January 2022, implementation reports had been  due for 180 
RTAs, and the end of  implementation for 14 RTAs was in 2022. The end of implementation for a total 
of 125 RTAs was from 2023 onwards, while for one RTA the end of implementation year was not 
available. Since the circulation of the document, no implementation report had been r eceived by the 
Secretariat.  
1.29.   The Chairman encouraged all Members to comply with their obligations and submit 
implementation reports in a timely manner. He offered the floor to the Parties or Members if they 
wished to comment on document WT/REG/W/164.  
1.30.   The re presentative of Australia  thanked the Chairman. Before making an intervention on the 
Agenda Item G, he wished to speak on a matter impacting the work of Members and the WTO. 
Australia wished to condemn Russia's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine in the strongest 
 
3 Any r eference to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security 
Council resolution 1244 (1999).  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  possible terms. Russia's actions breach ed international law and the sovereignty and territorial 
integrity of a neighbouring state. He stated that Australia strongly supported Ukraine in opposing 
Russia's hostilities and called on Russia to  withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory and seek a 
diplomatic solution. He added that Australia supported collective action by the international 
community to impose costs and increase leverage on Russia and those in Russia who va lued stability.  
1.31.   Movin g to the substantive item of the status of the preparation of the Factual Presentations, 
Australia thanked the Secretariat for its updated report. He noted that on some of Australia's existing 
Agreements the end of implementation report had not been submit ted. Some of this Agreements 
were quite long -standing with implementation in previous decades. However, he assured Members 
that Australia took its transparency obligations seriously and would work with its FTA/R TA partners 
to submit end of implementation r eports in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 15 of 
the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements.  
1.32.   The representative of the United States  thanked the Parties and the Secretariat for the 
transparency of the Agreements presented and for  the Secretariat's report on  the implementation 
status of RTAs.  
1.33.   She wished to make a statement following Canada and Australia. She stated that the United 
States joined the sentiments of the Members that had spoken before in condemning Russia's 
premeditate d and unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The delegation of the United States expressed its 
heartfelt support to Ukraine and stood in solidarity with the Ukrainian people in these unprecedented 
times. She also expressed appreciation to the many Members around th e globe that had been  taking 
actions in cooperation and coordination with the United States. Their important work together would 
continue.   
H. CONSIDERATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS  
ITEM H.I  
 
(The minutes of the consideration of this Agreement were being distributed as a separate document 
WT/REG434/M/1)  
 
ITEM H.II   
 
(The minutes of the consideration of this Agreement were being distributed as a separate document 
WT/REG432/M/1)  
 
ITEM H.III  
 
(The minutes of the consideration of this Agreement were being distributed as a separate document 
WT/REG442/M/1)  
 
1.34.   The representative of Canada  thanked the Parties for their efforts in ensuring transparency 
with regards to their RTA. He also thanked the Secretariat for its work as part of the proce ss.  
1.35.   The representative of Ukraine  thanked the Chairman.  He noted that the Committee was 
supposed to have considered the Agreement between Ukraine and Israel that day, but unfortunately 
that had not happened. He indicated that it was already 33 days since Russia had committed a 
blatant act of aggression against Ukraine through its unprovoked and unjustified military invasion, 
an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in brutal violation of norms and 
principles of international law, a s well as the purpose and principles of the WTO.  
1.36.   He stated that Ukraine for many years had been a reliable trading Partner and that Ukrainian 
experts were doing their best in these horrific circumstances to follow WTO developments and ensure 
compliance wi th Ukraine's obligations even though the majority of his capital -based colleagues as 
well as their families were either hiding from attacks in bomb shelters or had been forced to flee 
their homes along with more than 10 million other Ukrainians who were se eking a safe place to stay. 
He stressed that everyday his colleagues in Ukraine heard up to seven air raid alarms.  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  1.37.   Ukraine expressed appreciation to the Chairman, Israel, as well as the WTO Secretariat for 
understanding the circumstances due to which the consideration of the Free Trade Agreement 
between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the State of Israel had had to 
be postponed. Ukraine was grateful to Israel for its tremendous work and close partnership that had 
led to the signin g of the important Agreement for both Parties. He sincerely believed that very soon, 
in respect to its WTO commitments, Ukraine would take complete and active part in the detailed 
consideration of the Agreement as required under the relevant procedures.  
1.38.   He thanked all WTO Members who stood with Ukraine in these terrifying times and had 
provided comprehensive support against  Russian aggression.  
I. ELECTION OF OFFICERS  
1.39.   The Chairman  said that following the General Council meeting held on 23 -24 February 2022,  
he had the pleasure to propose that the Committee elect, by acclamation, Ambassador H.E. Mr. 
Taeho LEE of the Republic of Korea, as the Chairman of the CRTA.  It was so agreed.  
1.40.   The outgoing Chairman  express ed his appreciation for the support and cooperation received 
since he had taken over the chairmanship of the CRTA in 2021. He had worked collaboratively, and 
through consultations , the Committee's work had been moved forward. Despite the challenges of 
Covid -19 he had admired  the resourcefulness and resilience of Members to take the work of the 
Committee forward. He also express ed his profound gratitude for the confidence  placed  in him to 
guide th e Committee and to sincerely thank all the Members for their support during that period. I n 
addition, he  had appreciat ed the unwavering support and guidance from the Secretariat throughout 
his ten ure. He thanked the Membership for working closely with him during this period and during 
the meetings, and behind the scenes, to ensure that he steer ed the Committee in the right direction.  
1.41.   The new Chairman  expressed his profound gratitude for being appointed as Chairman of the 
CRTA and extended his sincere appreciation to all the Members for their trust and confidence. He 
thanked the outgoing Chairma n for the excellent leadership and skilful  guidance of the work of the 
CRTA during the past year, in spite of atypical circumstances. He wished the outgoing Chairman 
every success in his future work.  
1.42.   The new Chairman recalled that  in February 1996, he had  witnessed the establishment of th e 
Committee, where he had represented his country as First Secretary. Since then, the landscape of 
regional trade agreements had seen a sea change. The number of RTAs had increased rapidly and 
significantly. Every WTO Memb er was now party to at least one RTA. Korea, for example, had been 
one of the WTO members wh ich had not concluded any FTA at that time. Now, Korea was party to 
21 RTAs that it had concluded with a total of 59 WTO Members. There had been a big evolution in 
terms of coverage and contents of RTAs . Not only were tariff liberalization and services market 
opening included but also rules  such as competition, sustainable development, and electronic 
commerce were now found  in many RTAs.  
1.43.   Building upon the work of th e CRTA led by the previous chairs, he intended to engage closely 
with all Members and work in an open, constructive and inclusive manner to ensure that the 
Committee function ed properly. He hoped that his experience over the course of Korea 's many FTA 
negotiations in the past couple of decades would assist him in faithfully discharging the duties as 
Chair of the CRTA. He also was commit ted to mak ing utmost efforts to promote active discussions 
and facilitate experience -sharing among Members, taking into acc ount fast -evolving trade norms in 
recent RTAs. He remained at the disposal of Members for consultations and discussions in order to 
take the work of the Committee forward.  
1.44.   The representative of Mauritius  commended the outgoing Chairman for ably steering th e 
deliberations of the Committee during his tenure. He also welcomed and expressed continued 
support on behalf of Mauritius to the new Chairperson, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.  
1.45.   The representative of Australia  congratulated the incoming Chairman with his election and 
stated that Australia was looking forward to working closely with him. He also thanked the outgoing 
Chairman for his carriage of the Committee for the past 12 months.  WT/REG/M/102  
 
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  1.46.   The representative of Canada  thanked the outgoing Chairman for his chairmanship over the 
last year and welcomed the incoming Chairman of the CRTA.  
J. OTHER BUSINESS  
1.47.   The representative of the United States  informed Members that her delegation was developing 
a communication to share ex periences on making trade work for all in US FTAs. The communication 
was planned to be circulated in advance of the next CRTA.   
1.48.   The Chairman  informed the Committee of the tentative dates for the CRTA's meetings in 2022 
which were 27-28 June 2022 and 22 –23 September 2022, subject to possible change.  
1.49.   The Committee took note  of the comments made.  
__________  