WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS159/11
G/L/291
G/SG/D5/1
27 January 1999
(99-0299)
Original:  English
HUNGARY – SAFEGUARD MEASURE ON IMPORTS OF
STEEL PRODUCTS FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Request for Consultations from the Czech Republic
The following communication, dated 21 January 1999, from the Permanent Mission of the
Czech Republic to the Permanent Mission of Hungar y and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement
Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.
_______________
My authorities have instructed me to request consultations with the Government of Hungary
pursuant to Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of
Disputes (DSU) and Article XXIII:1 of the Ge neral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT
1994) with regard to the imposition of quantitative restrictions by Hungary on imports of a broad
range of steel products from the Czech Republic.
Upon Resolution by the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of Hungary, published
in the Industry and Trade Bulletin, the official gazette of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, No. 22,
Hungary imposed a safeguard measure in the form of import quotas on imports of a broad range of
steel products of the Czech Republic's origin (HS codes 7211, 7213, 7214, 7215, 7216 10-50, 7217,7306, 7314, 7317) effective as of 1 January 1999.  The only country subject to this measure is the
Czech Republic.
The Government of the Czech Republic considers that the quantitative restrictions are in
breach of Hungary's obligations under the provisions of GATT 1994, including, but not limited to,Article I and Article XIX, and are inconsistent with respective provisions of the Agreement on
Safeguards.  The Government of the Czech Republic reserves the right to raise additional factual
claims  and legal matters in the course of the consultations.
I look forward to receiving a prompt reaction of your authorities to this request so that we can
arrange a mutually convenient date and place for consultations.
__________
                                                     
1 This document cancels and replaces documen t WT/DS159/1, G/L/291 dated 27 January 1999.