RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/M/30
18 March 1998
(98-1101)
Council for Trade in Goods
4 February 1998
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in the Centre William Rappard
on 4 February 1998 and 4 March 1998
Chairperson:  Mr. T. Johannessen (Norway)
The meeting was convened by WTO/AIR/759.  The proposed agenda contained in document
G/C/W/104  was adopted as follows, with the inclusion of items 12 and 13 under "Other business":
Page
1. Trade Facilitation (Paragraph 21 of the Singapore Ministerial
Declaration (WT/MIN(96)DEC).................................................................................... 2
- Statement by the Chairman
2. Status of Notifications under the Provisions of the Agreements in
Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement (G/L/223)............................................................... 5
3. Free Trade Agreement betwee n Latvia and Slovenia .................................................... 5
- Communication from the parties to the Agreement
(WT/REG34/N/1, WT/REG34/1)
4. Free Trade Agreement betwee n Lithuania and Slovenia ............................................... 6
- Communication from the parties to the Agreement
(WT/REG35/N/1, WT/REG35/1)
5. Free Trade Agreement between the Slovak Republic and the
Republic of Latvia.......................................................................................................... 6
- Communication from the Slovak Republic (WT/REG47/N/1
and WT/REG47/1)
6. Free Trade Agreement between the Slovak Republic and the Republic
of Lithuania ............................................................................................................. 7
- Communication from the Slovak Republic (WT/REG48/N/1
and WT/REG48/1)
7. Free Trade Agreement between Poland and the Republic of Lithuania ........................ 7
- Communication from Poland (WT/REG49/N/1 and WT/REG49/1)G/C/M/30
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8. Central European Free Trade Agreement - Accession of the Republic
of Slov enia ............................................................................................................. 8
- Communication from the parties (WT/REG11/N/2
and WT/REG11/4)
9. Central European Free Trade Agr eement - Accession of Romania .............................. 8
- Communication from the parties (WT/REG11/N/3 and
WT/REG11/5)
10. Appointment of Officers for subs idiary bodies of  the Council...................................... 8
11. Election of Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Goods .......................................... 10
12. Outcome of the major review of the implementation of the
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) during the first stage
of the integration process pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 8
of the Agreement............................................................................................................ 10
13. Date of the next meeting................................................................................................ 11
The meeting was suspended on 4 February 1998 and items 10 and 11 were considered by the
Council at its resumed meeting on 4 March 1998.
________________
1. Trade Facilitation (Paragraph 21 of the Singapore Ministerial Declaration
(WT/MIN(96)DEC))
- Statement by the Chairman
1.1 The Chairman reported on the state of preparations for the WTO Symposium on Trade
Facilitation, to be held on 9 and 10 March 1998.  The Secretariat had circulated on 23 January 1998
to all delegations a proposed annotated agenda.
1.2 He recalled that the objective of the Symposium was to help identify the main areas where
traders faced obstacles when moving goods across borders and to put WTO Members in a position tomove from the stage of exploratory work to the phase of analytical work on trade facilitation.  The
agenda had been drawn up with the intention of addressing this objective.  Also, the speakers from
private industry and traders, as well as from  relevant non-governmental organizations, would be
chosen with this in mind.  A number of intergovernmental organizations who worked in the area of
trade facilitation, had been invited to comment, from their perspective, on the persisting problems in
this area and to explain to what extent their own work had addressed these problems.   At the end ofthe Symposium, a substantial amount of time would be provided for an open exchange of views
among participants on the issues raised during the Symposium, on possible conclusions that might be
drawn, as well as on future work on trade facilitation in various fora, including the WTO.  Overall, the
Symposium should assist delegations to come fo rward with constructive ideas in the analytical
process, in order to assess the scope for WTO rules on trade facilitation, as set out in the SingaporeDeclaration.
1.3 At present the Secretariat was engaged in the process of selecting possible speakers in
consultation with interested delegations and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).  It was
currently reviewing the names proposed, and would in due course present a speakers' list todelegations. In the meantime, the Secretariat would appreciate for logistical reasons to receive, as
early as possible and not later than 16 February 1998, a list of each Member's delegation to theG/C/M/30
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Symposium.  More nominations from the private sector, particularly from developing countries, were
welcome and required for the success of this Symposium.
1.4 The representative of the European Communities stated that the Symposium represented an
important stage in the discussions on the simplification of trade procedures, and would provide a good
basis to carry out the subsequent analytical work foreseen in the Singapore Ministerial Declaration.
His delegation could agree with the content and structure of the agenda for the Symposium.However, he had two comments to make.  First, the subject matter of the Symposium was necessarily
very broad.  It was important, however, that speakers' interventions, and indeed the debate as a whole,
did not become too vague and diffused.  What was really important from the WTO point of view, was
the relationship between government and private sector  in trade facilitation:  how government actions,
rules, requirements and procedures affected trade transactions, and how such rules and requirements
might be simplified.  The purely commercial arrangements between companies trading with one
another were less pertinent, apart from those instances perhaps where one was told by business thatgovernment was unduly intervening in or constraining what should be left to business to work out. His
delegation suggested therefore, that in the briefing to Symposium speakers, they be made aware of the
audience they were speaking to, and the need for focused and relevant presentations relating to the
government-business interface. Members needed to start thinking about the best means to improve
understanding of the subject beyond the Symposium.  The Singapore Ministerial Declaration providedfor both an exploratory phase and an analytical phase in the work.  Members needed to determine the
appropriate means to carry out the latter. The discussions on simplification of trade procedures in this
Council had shown a large measure of interest in the subject, and awareness by many delegations of a
range of problems affecting the trade transaction.  The broader business community was also
expectant that the WTO would study these problems seriously, and Members had to respondpositively to this too.  However, there was not, in the context of the Council itself, the time available
to go beyond limited discussions on trade facilitation.  His delegation's view was that Members should
start to think in terms of a dedicated group of Members, open-ended, perhaps under the Council's
auspices, which would enable the Council to give tr ade facilitation the attention it merited, and which
would allow those delegations with an interest to submit their views and have an in-depth discussion,
and thus enable the Council to carry out what Ministers in Singapore had mandated. The subject
matter of the Symposium could form the basis for such a working group.  This was an issue on which
the Chairman could consult with WTO Members.  He also wished to point out that this did not need to
impair work in existing Committees dealing with matters relevant to trade facilitation.
1.5 The representative of Switzerland stressed that this Symposium should put WTO Members in
a position to move to the phase of analytical work on trade facilitation, in order to assess the scope
for WTO rules in this area, as set out in the Singapore Declaration.
1.6 The Chairman proposed that the Secretariat continue its preparation for the Symposium and
that he hold informal consultations to find out whether there would be consensus on the idea of a
working group to be established for the follow-up of the Symposium.
1.7 The representative of Mexico stated that his delegation had no problem with consultations
being held under the Chairman's guidance to see how  to continue discussions on trade facilitation.
However,  consulting in order to see whether there is consensus on the setting up of a working group
would cause certain problems for his delegation.  His delegation's reading of the Ministerial
Declaration was that when the Ministers wanted to set up working groups they did so. However, in the
case of trade facilitation, Ministers had given the responsibility directly to the Goods Council.  In his
view, there had to be another way of achieving the same results as those sought by theEuropean Communities without having to set up another working group.G/C/M/30
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1.8 The representative of India stated that it appeared to his delegation that the consultations
referred to by the representative of the European Communities could probably more usefully take
place, if at all, once the Symposium had finished. It was his delegation's understanding that the
Symposium was meant to educate delegations about the work being done in various international fora
and one of the purpose was to assess the scope for WTO rules in this area.
1.9 The representative of Korea wondered whether views of regional organizations such as APEC
and ASEAN could not be presented at the Symposium.  Such inputs, either in oral or written form,
from the Secretariats or the representatives of the country holding the Chair would facilitate
discussions in the WTO regarding future work on trade facilitation.
1.10 A representative of the Secretariat stated that a number of regional organizations did not have
established secretariats.  But if it was the wish of Members, certain organizations could make
presentations.  Another alternative would be to have one of the delegations active in those
organizations and having full knowledge of what was going on in the area of trade facilitation make apresentation at the Symposium.
1.11 The representative of India wished to clarify that his delegation associated itself with the point
made by the representative of Mexico, i.e. it was possible for the Council to deal with the subject of
trade faciliation instead of having to create a separate working party for this.
1.12 The representative of Japan supported the view of the representative of Korea that regional
organizations should contribute to the Symposiu m, especially APEC as this organization had
accumulated a lot of knowledge on trade facilitation.  The question of who was going to make the
presentation could be discussed at a later stage.
1.13 The representative of Brazil had the same concerns as India and Mexico on the creation of a
working party. On the participation of regional organizations, he had concerns about the numbers, as
there were many organizations working in this area.  In light of the time constraints, he suggested that
written contributions from these organizations might be a better way of proceeding.
1.14 The representative of New Zealand stated that his delegation wished to endorse the remarks
made by the representatives of Korea and Japan.  His understanding was that APEC was fully aware
of the Symposium, and that the APEC Secretariat had been discussing the possibility of acontribution.  He believed that among APEC delegations there had been some initial discussion as to
what form that contribution could take.  His delegation felt that Members should be flexible about the
participation of regional organizations, especially when, as in the case of APEC, considerable work
had been done in this area.
1.15 The representative of Hungary stated that, in general, his delegation agreed with the
representatives of Mexico and India that there should be some limit to the creation of new working
parties or groups in the WTO.  However, in examining the proposed agenda of the Symposium, it was
quite evident that a complex issue with very many interrelated aspects was being dealt with. At the
same time, Members had to take note of the fact that this Council was a central body of the WTO
system, and had already an overcharged programme.  So, at this stage, he would not exclude the
possibility of creating a working party for dealing with  this specific issue.  But he agreed with India
that this matter should be considered after the Symposium.
1.16 The representative of Hong Kong, China stat ed that the mechanism for carrying forward the
analytical work was the responsibility of the Council as was made clear in the Singapore Ministerial
Declaration.  But, further consideration could be gi ven to the EC proposal.  He thought that the optionG/C/M/30
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of receiving contributions from regional organizations should be kept open, because a lot of work had
been done by these organizations and their input could be valuable.
1.17 The representative of Egypt shared the views expressed by the representatives of India,
Mexico and Hungary that it was too early to discuss the idea of establishing a working party.1.18 The representative of Argentina stated that Members appeared to be drawing conclusions
before the analysis had been done.  There were, in his view, three steps to this process. The first was
to have contributions from appropriate sources for the Symposium.  Then, an analysis of the outcome
of the Symposium should be undertaken.  In the light of such an analysis, Members could reflect on
what the next step should be and whether there was a need to set up for example, a group of "Friends
of the Chairman" which could be coordinated by the Chairman of the Council or a Member with
experience in trade facilitation.
1.19 The Chairman stated that first focus should be given to the preparation of the Symposium.  He
proposed that the Secretariat continue its work in this respect and that he would have informal
consultations with delegations as necessary.
1.20 The Council so agreed.
2. Status of Notifications under the Provisions of the Agreements in Annex 1A of the WTO
Agreement (G/L/223)
2.1 The Chairman stated that as indicated in the cover page to document G/L/223, the Council
had adopted, at its meeting of 15 October 1996, a recommendation by the Working Group on
Notification Obligations and Procedures to maintain on an ongoing basis the comprehensive listing of
notification obligations under the provisions of Ag reements in Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement and
the compliance therewith.  It was also agreed to update and circulate this listing semi-annually.  This
comprehensive listing which was included in Anne x III of the Working Group's report to the Council
contained in document G/L/112 has been updated twice already.  The third update was contained in
document G/L/223, and included all notifications made up to 31 December 1997.  Any notifications
made after this date would be included in the next  update, which would be circulated in the middle
of 1998 as a revision to document G/L/223.
2.2 The representative of Paraguay stated that as this document was not available in Spanish, his
delegation would not be in a position to consider this item at this meeting.
2.3 The representative of Haiti pointed out that the document was not available in French.
2.4 The Chairman proposed, in light of the situation, to revert to this agenda item at the Council's
next meeting when the document would be available in all three official languages.
2.5 The Council so agreed.
3. Free Trade Agreement between Latvia and Slovenia
- Communication from the parties to the Agreement (WT/REG34/N/1, WT/REG34/1)
3.1 The Chairman drew  attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG34/N/1.  The text of the Agreement had been circulated in
document WT/REG34/1.G/C/M/30
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3.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Free Trade Agreement
between Latvia and Slovenia and to submit a report to the Council for Trade in Goods".
3.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained indocument WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.
3.4 The Council so agreed.
4. Free Trade Agreement between Lithuania and Slovenia
- Communication from the parties to the Agreement (WT/REG35/N/1, WT/REG35/1)
4.1 The Chairman drew  attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG35/N/1.  The text of the Agreement had been circulated in
document WT/REG35/1.
4.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Free Trade Agreement
between Lithuania and Slovenia and to submit a report to the Council for Trade in Goods".
4.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customsunions and free-trade areas.
4.4 The Council so agreed.
5. Free Trade Agreement between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Latvia
- Communication from the Slovak Republ ic (WT/REG47/N/1 and WT/REG47/1)
5.1 The Chairman drew  attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG47/N/1.  The text of the Agreement had been circulated in
document WT/REG47/1.
5.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Free Trade Agreement
between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Latvia and to submit a report to the Council
for Trade in Goods".
5.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understoodG/C/M/30
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that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.
5.4 The Council so agreed.
6. Free Trade Agreement between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Lithuania
- Communication from the Slovak Republ ic (WT/REG48/N/1 and WT/REG48/1)
6.1 The Chairman drew  attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG48/N/1.  The text of the Agreement had been circulated in
document WT/REG48/1.
6.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Free Trade Agreement
between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Lithuania and to submit a report to the
Council for Trade in Goods".
6.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.
6.4 The Council so agreed.
7. Free Trade Agreement between Poland and the Republic of Lithuania
- Communication from Poland (WT/REG49/N/1 and WT/REG49/1)
7.1 The Chairman drew attention to the notification from Poland circulated in document
WT/REG49/N/1.  The text of the Agreement ha d been circulated in document WT/REG49/1.
7.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Free Trade Agreement
between Poland and the Republic of Lithuania and to submit a report to the Council for Trade
in Goods".
7.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.
7.4 The Council so agreed.G/C/M/30
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8. Central European Free Trade Agreement - Accession of the Republic of Slovenia
- Communication from the parties (WT/REG11/N/2 and WT/REG11/4)
8.1 The Chairman drew attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG11/N/2.  The text of the Agreements had been circulated in document
WT/REG11/4.
8.2 The Chairman  proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Agreement on
Accession of the Republic of Slovenia to the Central European Free Trade Agreement and to
submit a report to the Council for Trade in Goods".
8.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.  It was furthermore noted that, for practical reasons, the examination of
this Agreement would be carried out jointly with the examination of the Central European Free Trade
Agreement itself, which was currently under way in the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.
8.4 The Council so agreed.
9. Central European Free Trade Agreement - Accession of Romania
- Communication from the parties (WT/REG11/N/3 and WT/REG11/5)
9.1 The Chairman drew attention to the notification from the parties to the Agreement circulated
in document WT/REG11/N/3.  The text of the Agreements had been circulated in document
WT/REG11/5.
9.2 The Chairman proposed that the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements carry out the
examination of the Agreement in accordance with the following terms of reference:
"to examine, in light of the relevant provisions of the GATT 1994, the Agreement on
Accession of Romania to the Central European Free Trade Agreement and to submit a report
to the Council for Trade in Goods".
9.3 It was understood that the understanding read out by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods under item 7 of the Agenda of the meeting of the Council on 20 February 1995, as contained in
document WT/REG3/1, would apply mutatis mutandis  to the examination.  It was also understood
that, during the examination, due account would be taken of the intrinsic differences between customs
unions and free-trade areas.  It was furthermore noted that, for practical reasons, the examination ofthis Agreement would be carried out jointly with the examination of the Central European Free Trade
Agreement itself, which was currently under way in the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.
9.4 The Council so agreed.
10. Appointment of Officers for subsidiary bodies of the Council
10.1 At the resumed meeting of 4 March 1998, the Chairman  stated that the "Guidelines for the
Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies" contai ned in document WT/L/31 and approved by theG/C/M/30
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General Council on 31 January 1995, provided that th e Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Goods
would conduct consultations on the appointment of the chairpersons of bodies to Group 6(A) which
comprised the subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods.  Accordingly, he had conducted
consultations and had a slate of names to recommend to the Council as Chairpersons of the following
bodies.:
Committee on Agriculture Ambassador Nestor Osorio Londoño
(Colombia)
Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices Mr. José Antonio S. Buencamino
(Philippines)
Committee on Customs Valuation Mr. Mohamed Bentaja
(Morocco)
Committee on Import Licensing Mme. Marie Gosset
(Côte d'Ivoire)
Committee on Rules of Origin Mr. Ric Wells
(Australia)
Committee on Safeguards Mr. Shishir Priyadarshi
(India)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Mr. Alex Thiermann
  Measures (United States)
Committee on Subsidies and Mr. Carlos Antonio da Rocha Paranhos
  Countervailing Measures (Brazil)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Mr. Otto Th. Genee
(Netherlands)
Committee on Trade Related Investme nt Measures Mr. Dimitrij Grÿar
(Slovenia)
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises Mr. Jacques T. d'Orfeuil
(France)
Working Party on Preshipment Inspection Mr. Edward Brown
(United Kingdom)
10.2 The Chairman drew attention to the fact that  with respect to the Chairperson of the Market
Access Committee, it had been not possible at this stage to reach a consensus.  He proposed that his
successor continue consultations with a view to finding a consensus on a Chairperson for the Market
Access Committee before the first meeting of the Committee on 26 March 1998.
10.3 The Council so agreed.
10.4 The Chairman pointed out that while all the other subsidiary bodies of the Council had
provisions in the respective agreement or in their rules of procedure requiring them to elect
chairpersons, the Working Parties did not have any procedural rules and did not have provisions onG/C/M/30
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election of chairpersons.  As a result, in the case of the Working Party on State Trading Enterprises
and the Working Party on Preshipment Inspection, he proposed that the Council appoint the
nominated Chairpersons.  In the case of all other subsidiary bodies, he proposed that the Council take
note of the consensus on the nominated persons for election as Chairpersons.
10.5 The Council so agreed and appointed  Mr. Jacques d'Orfeuil as Chairman of the Working
Party on State Trading Enterprises and Mr. Edward Brown as Chairman of the Working Party onPreshipment Inspection.
10.6 The Chairman wished to make an observation in connection with the procedure regarding
appointment of officers for the subsidiary bodies of the Council.  The process had become very
time-consuming, and had also developed into one in which the professional and human qualities of
the individual candidate tended to be relegated to secondary importance.  This tendency had to be
reversed otherwise Members ran the risk of a politization of all activities on a regional basis.  With the
increased number of Members such a development would be detrimental to the WTO. Anexamination on how this situation might be improved needed to be undertaken.
10.7 The Chairman stated furthermore that he had not addressed the question of Vice-
Chairpersons.  It was his understanding that it would be for the subsidiary bodies to decide if they
needed a Vice-Chairperson in cases where the option existed under the respective Agreement and/or
rules of procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations. Heproposed to proceed on that understanding.
10.8 The Council took note of the statement and agreed
 to proceed on that understanding.
11. Election of Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Goods
11.1 At the resumed meeting of 4 March 1998, the Chairman  stated that the Chairman of the
General Council had carried out informal consultations on a slate of names for appointment as
chairpersons to the different WTO standing bodies in accordance with the established Guidelines for
Appointment of Officers.  These proposed nominations were approved by the General Council at its
meeting on 19 February 1998.
11.2 On the basis of the understandings reached, he proposed that the Council elect
H.E. Ambassador R. Saborío Soto (Costa Rica) as Chairman of the Council by acclamation.
11.3 The Council unanimously elected Ambassador R. Saborío Soto as Chairman for the Council
for Trade in Goods for 1998.12. Outcome of the major review of the implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and
Clothing (ATC) during the first stage of the integration process pursuant to paragraph 11 of
Article 8 of the Agreement
12.1 The Chairman, speaking under "Other business"  recalled that the major review of the
implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing during the first stage of the integration
process  was carried out between October and December 1997.  Following the formal review process,
he had held a series of informal meetings with a view to developing a summary of the main points
raised in the review and an agreed set of conclusion s flowing from it.  In spite of determined efforts
by many delegations, the views of Members remain ed far apart and it was not possible in the time
available to develop conclusions that would attract consensus.  He had reported this situation to theGeneral Council at its meeting on 10 December 1997.G/C/M/30
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12.2 As a great deal of progress had been achieved in these consultations, he had felt that further
efforts were warranted this year.  Accordingly, he had resumed informal consultations in mid-January
of this year and with a sense of strong determination and cooperation on all sides, it had been possible
to develop a full set of conclusions integrated in to the respective sections of the summary of the
review, for consideration by the Council.  This was contained in document G/C/W/105.
12.3 He was informing Members of this, under "Other business", to bring Members up to date with
the current situation.  It was his intention to convene a meeting of the Council on 16 February 1998 1
to present this text for formal adoption.
12.4 The Council took note of the statement.
13. Date of the next meeting
13.1 The Chairman, speaking under "Other business", noted that a meeting of the Council was
scheduled for 16 February 1998 in order to conclude the Council's major review of the
implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 8 ofthe Agreement.  Following that, the next formal meeting of the Council was to take place
on 16 March 1998. The closing date for the agenda for that meeting was noontime 5 March 1998.
13.2 The Council took note of the information.
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1 G/C/M/29.