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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

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