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“As far as the EU is concerned, it is suggested that we now be ready to<br />
explore alternative approaches to negotiating the Singapore issues of investment,<br />
competition, trade facilitation and transparency in government<br />
procurement, possibly through removing them from the single undertaking<br />
of the negotiations and through negotiating them as plurilateral agreements if<br />
necessary. While maintaining our substantive objects, it also suggests a slight<br />
adjustment of the approach on trade and environment and geographical indications<br />
aimed at reducing reticence to negotiations in these areas.” 283<br />
The EU ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Carlos Trojan, has praised the EU<br />
–proposal, to take the “Singapore issues” out of the single undertaking, as a “major<br />
shift” of EU-policy. 284 Nevertheless, it seems apparent, that Brussels does not want<br />
to take the Singapore-issues completely out of the negotiation agenda, but that it is<br />
looking for “alternative approaches” within the negotiating process. If they are taken<br />
out of the single undertaking now, the EU-Commission can still put them on the<br />
agenda later or on a bilateral level. –And the investment issue is extremely urgent for<br />
the EU, which is completely in the interest of the rights and profit margins of European<br />
corporations.<br />
283 Communication from the Commission to the Council, to the European Parliament, and to the Economic and Social<br />
Committee: Reviving the DDA Negotiations - the EU Perspective, Brussels, November 26, 2003, p. 2.<br />
284 See Alexandra Strickner (TIP/IATP Geneva): Trade Talks remain stalled as major powers show no flexibility. Trade<br />
negotiating bodies to be reestablished early next year, December 18, 2003.<br />
97