AGENDA POINT 1: SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB

B. UNITED STATES – SECTION 110(5) OF THE US COPYRIGHT ACT: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS160/24/ADD.206)

• We thank the United States for its status report and its statement today.

• We refer to our previous statements. We would like to resolve this case as soon as possible.

AGENDA POINT 1: SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB

C.     EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS: STATUS REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION (WT/DS291/37/ADD.169)

• We recall that the EU approval system is not covered by the DSB’s recommendations and rulings.

• The EU continues to p ropose for vote authorisations for genetically modified organisms that, in the European Food Safety Authority’s risk assessment, have been concluded to be safe.

• All applications for food and animal feed uses that were presented in the Committees earlier this year were adopted. All those genetically modified organisms had gone through a comprehensive and stringent authorisation procedure, including a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority.

AGENDA POINT 2: APPELLATE BODY APPOINTMENTS

• The European Union refers to its previous statements on this issue and thanks all Members that have co-sponsored the proposal to launch the appointment processes.

• Since 11 December 2019, the WTO no longer guarantees access to a binding, two-tier, independent and impartial resolution of trade disputes.

• A fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system is critical for a rules-based multilateral trading system.

• This is why the most urgent area of WTO reform involves finding an agreed basis to restore such a system and proceeding to the appointment of the members of the Appellate Body. This task should be addressed as a priority.

• As we have consistently noted, WTO Members have a shared responsibility to resolve this issue as soon as possible, and to fill the outstanding vacancies as required by Article 17.2 of the DSU.

• The EU agrees that a meaningful reform is needed in order to achieve this objective.

• The EU will continue to engage constructively in finding, through reform, a lasting solution to the current situation regarding appointments to the Appellate Body. There is a pressing need to advance work on this.

• The EU is pleased to be participating in the ongoing discussion process in Geneva. In line with the ‘outcome document’ concerning the Twelfth Ministerial Conference, the objective of any discussions should be to have a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system by 2024 at the latest.

• The European Union stands firmly with Ukraine. It will continue to provide firm support for Ukraine’s overall economic, military, social and financial resilience, including humanitarian aid.

• The EU resolutely condemns Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The EU urges Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

• International humanitarian law, including on the treatment of prisoners of war, must be respected. Ukrainians who have been forcibly removed to Russia must be immediately allowed to return safely. Russia, Belarus and all those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes will be held to account for their actions, in accordance with international law.