. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/17
4 July 2003
(03-3607)
Council for Trade in Services
UPDATE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT OF 2002 OF THE
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN SERVICES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL (2003)
1. Since its last annual report to the General Council, dated 9 December 2002, the Council for
Trade in Services has held three formal meetings on 6 December 2002, 28 February 2003 and 14 May
2003.  Reports of the meetings are contained in documents S/C/M/64, S/C/M/65, and S/C/M/66.  Thereports of the meetings should be read in conjunction with this report.  During this period, the Council
addressed the following matters:
I. PROPOSALS FOR A TECHNICAL REVIEW OF GATS PROVISIONS  –
ARTICLE XX:2
2. Substantive discussions on Proposals for a Technical Review – Article XX:2 began in
June 2002, after the Council had agreed to consider  three subjects for a possible technical review of
the GATS, beginning with consideration of proposals relating to Article XX:2.  In addition to earlier
Secretariat notes contained in JOB(01)/17, JOB(02)/ 89 and JOB(02)/153, the Council held substantive
discussions in the reporting period based on subm issions from Brazil (JOB(02)/215), Hong Kong,
China (JOB(03)/34) and Switzerland (JOB(03)/85).
3. The submissions and detailed discussions have permitted the Council to more clearly identify
the types of scenarios contained in Schedules from which legal ambiguities could arise.  In this
regard, Members have explored how Article XX:2 would be applicable to these scenarios.  As well,
questions have been raised as to the impact that various possible decisions by the Council would have
on existing and future specific commitments.
II. RE-OPENING OF THE FIFTH PROTOCOL FOR ACCEPTANCE
4. At its meeting held on 14 May 2003, following separate requests from Dominican Republic
and Uruguay the Council decided to re-open the Fifth Protocol relating to Financial Services for
acceptance by these two Members.  The two Decisions taken in this regard are contained in
documents S/L/111 and S/L/112.
III. NOTIFICATIONS MADE TO THE COUNCIL PURSUANT TO GATS
ARTICLES III:3 AND V:7
5. At the three formal meetings held during the reporting period, the Council took note of the
following notifications made pursuant to Articl e III:3 of the GATS concerning modifications to
services regulations in sectors where specific commitments have been undertaken:
Albania (S/C/N/194-200)
Japan (S/C/N/201-205)People's Republic of China (S/C/N/208-225)
Poland (S/C/N/227)
Kyrgyz Republic  (S/C/N/228)
Chinese Taipei (S/C/N/230)S/C/17
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6. At the two formal meetings held on 6 December 2002 and 28 February 2003, the Council took
note of the following notifications made pursuant to Article V:7 of the GATS concerning economic
integration agreements:
Japan and Singapore (S/C/N/206)
EFTA (S/C/N/207)
EFTA and Singapore (S/C/N/226)
CARICOM (S/C/N/229).
7. The Council referred these four economic integration agreements to the Committee on
Regional Trade Agreements.
IV. WORK OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES
8. The activities of the subsidiary bodies are reflected in their respective reports, which are
annexed to this report as follows:
Annex I Report of the Committee on Specific Commitments
Annex II Report of the Committee on Trade in Financial Services
Annex III Report of the Working Party on Domestic RegulationAnnex IV Report of the Working Party on GATS Rules
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