The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) will take place in Brussels on 11 May 2017. The Hungarian delegation will be led by H.E. Péter Szijjártó Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Council will review the state of play of the negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the preparations for the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) to be held in Buenos Aires this December. In Hungary’s view the EU should formulate realistic expectations and proposals for the outcome of the MC11 that can be acceptable to other WTO members.
Ministers are expected to endorse the Council mandate agreed at Coreper for trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament regarding the new anti-dumping methodology draft regulation. Hungary considers an important element of the draft regulation that it does not weaken the protection of EU industry against unfair trade practices and comply with the international obligations of the Union. We attach great importance to the country-neutral nature of the regulation.
Ministers will overview the draft regulation on the Temporary Autonomous Trade Measures for Ukraine. Hungary supports the earliest possible assistance to Ukraine.
The Council will be debriefed about the preparations of launching free trade negotiations with Australia, Chile and New Zealand.
The Council will hold a debate on the implementation of free trade agreements on the basis of the Commission’s discussion paper regarding the improvement of the implementation and the communication of the benefits of the EU FTAs
Commissioner Malmström will present to the Ministers the Commission’s reflection paper on harnessing globalisation by 2025.
Ministers will overview the state of play of the negotiations of the EU-Myanmar/Burma investment protection agreement and will discuss the potential conditions and possible timeframe of the conclusion of the negotiations.
Ministers will also be debriefed on the state of play of the free trade negotiations with Japan, Mercosur and Mexico. Commissioner Malmström will inform the ministers about her visit in Washington.
