Foreign Affairs Council, 11/11/2016 - Main results

Source: Council of the European Union (Council) i, published on Saturday, November 12 2016, 0:56.

Meeting information

Outcome of Council meeting

Indicative programme, Foreign Affairs Council, 11 November 2016

Provisional agenda, Foreign Affairs Council, 11 November 2016

List of A items, non-legislative activities, Foreign Affairs Council, 11 November 2016

Background brief

Trade defence instruments and new anti-dumping methodology

Ministers discussed the Commission proposal for a modernisation of the EU's trade defence instruments. The discussion focused on the lesser duty rule on the basis of a compromise paper presented by the presidency. In general, ministers expressed their willingness to find a compromise on all aspects of the modernisation of trade defence instruments before the end of the year, as mandated by the European Council.

“Our job is to find a quick and solid solution, which will help EU producers cope with unfair competition and practices. I think it is fair to say that we have moved a step closer to a possible agreement by the end of this year, as mandated by our leaders at the October summit. This is the presidency's intention.”

Peter Žiga, Slovak minister in charge of trade and president of the Council

Ministers also took note of the Commission proposal for a new anti-dumping methodology and according to Mr. Žiga, the Council is set to deal with it in a speedy manner. This proposal would not grant market economy status to any country. It would be country neutral and could be applied equally to all members of the World Trade Organisation. The Council agreed to continue discussions at technical level.

Commission proposal for the modernisation of trade defence instruments, 2013

Commission proposal on a new anti-dumping and anti-subsidies methodology, 9 November 2016

WTO: follow up to Nairobi conference

The Council discussed the post-Nairobi process, focusing in particular on a possible package for the 11th WTO ministerial conference, scheduled for 2017.

The approach of the Commission includes several areas of focus such as fisheries subsidies, transparency and good regulatory practices, domestic regulation in services, e-commerce and agricultural domestic support.

The Commission also presented the state of play of negotiations on a trade in services agreement (TiSA) and an environmental goods agreement (EGA).

Bilateral trade negotiations

The Council reviewed developments in negotiations on TTIP, the transatlantic trade and investment partnership with the United States, particularly in the light of the US elections.

“The next steps in these negotiations will need to be assessed once the new US administration is in place.”

Peter Žiga, Slovak minister in charge of trade and president of the Council

The Commission also briefed ministers on the state of play of negotiations with Japan and Mercosur.

EU trade agreements

Signature of the accession of Ecuador to the EU-Colombia/Peru trade agreement

The EU, its member states, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru signed the protocol of accession of Ecuador to the EU's free trade agreement with Colombia and Peru. The common goal is to finalise all the remaining procedural steps before the end of the year so as to allow for provisional application to begin on 1 January 2017.

“This is another piece of good news after the recent CETA signature. It proves that the EU delivers in its key policy area of free and fair trade - actions speak louder than words.”

Peter Žiga, Slovak minister in charge of trade and president of the Council

Ecuador joins the EU's trade agreement with Colombia and Peru


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Relevant EU dossiers