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EU,
China set date for more talks on WTO membership |
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April 27, 2000 BRUSSELS, APR 26 (AP) - The European Union and China will resume talks next month on Beijing's bid to join the World Trade Organization, the two sides announced Wednesday. "On
both sides, there is now hope that this will be a very important
meeting. As to whether it will bring the final outcome, we don't know," said Anthony Gooch, spokesman for EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy. Gooch said the agreement to restart discussions during the week of May 15, in Beijing, came during phone contacts between Lamy and Chinese officials. The date was confirmed in Beijing by state news media quoting trade officials. Lamy was expected to head the EU delegation. He walked away from the last round of talks March 31, reporting some progress but not enough for agreement. China has made joining the WTO this year a priority. Its campaign picked up speed after a deal struck with the United States last November. But a series of negotiations have failed to produce a breakthrough with the EU, the most important of seven WTO members that still must approve China's entry. EU
officials complain China was not offering enough access to its car,
insurance and telecommunications markets. |