TNAG-0134-FCO40-170-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 133

ANNEX

Text of Decision to be included in Report

"The Committee recalled paragraph 47 of the report on its first session.

1.

The Committee agreed that in view of the special character of the subject and of the documentation available, there would be advantage in now establishing a Working Group to initiate consultations on the technical aspects of the rules of origin. This Working Group should be convened by the Secretary General of UNCTAD at an early date in consultation with the various groups.

2. The Committee further agreed that there are also other aspects of the scheme on which detailed intensive consultations would be necessary in the Committee or in working groups to facilitate the work at the third session. It identified tentatively the following main areas for such consultations:

3.

Product coverage and extent of the preferences

Safeguard mechanisms

Duration of the scheme

Special measures for the least advanced countries

Existing and reverse preferences

Institutional arrangements

Measures to be taken by Socialist Countries of Eastern

Surope in the light of Resolution 15(II).

It was generally agreed that arrangements will have to be made to deal with the above-mentioned aspects and in that connection the proposals set forth in paragraph 11 of the secretariat document provided useful guidelines.

It was further agreed that in light of the progress and outcome of work in the OECD, it might be necessary to have a closer look at the allocation of subjects by headings and subheadings to working groups to be set up.

4.

Due to the absence of substantive documentation, in particular from the prospective preference-giving countries, these areas do not lend themselves to the process of consul- tations at the present moment. In view of the pressure of time and of the timetable envisaged it was considered desirable that as much work as possible should be done to facilitate the proceedings of the third session when it assembles. For this purpose the Committee agreed to invite the Secretary General to consult informally with the Chairman and the Bureau of the Committee and with representatives of the Member governments prior to the third session. These consultations would be aimed at facilitating decisions on procedural arrangements in the light of paragraph 3 above, for the conduct of the detailed intensive consultations at the third session of the Committee. They would also deal with substantive aspects listed above so far as the necessary documentation is available.

/5.