An Chomhairle Gnóthaí Eachtracha, 13/05/2016, 13 Bealtaine 2016

Faisnéis faoin gcruinniú

Príomhphointí an chláir oibre Pléifidh an Chomhairle an méid a d’eascair as comhdháil aireachta na hEagraíochta Domhanda Trádála a reáchtáladh in Nairobi i mí na Nollag 2015. Féachfaidh sí ar an dá cheist atá fós gan réiteach faoi Chlár Oibre Doha don Fhorbairt agus ar na ceisteanna nua a dtabharfaidh an Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Trádála aghaidh orthu.

Pléifidh an Chomhairle an ghéarchéim sa tionscal cruach. Le linn an lóin, pléifidh na hAirí an bealach a ndéanfar dul chun cinn sa chaibidlíocht le Parlaimint na hEorpa maidir le “mianraí coinbhleachta”. Tá sé beartaithe i dtogra an baol atá ann go gcuirfí maoiniú ar fáil do ghrúpaí armtha trí dhíolachán mianraí agus miotal i limistéir coinbhleachta a íoslaghdú.

Trade agreement with Canada

The Council discussed a draft trade and investment agreement with Canada, the 'comprehensive economic and trade agreement' (CETA).

"Member states are very supportive of this agreement", Ms Ploumen said; "our aim is for it to be signed at an EU-Canada summit in October".

The Commission confirmed its intention to submit a proposal in June 2016 for signature of CETA.

Steel industry

The Council discussed the crisis in the steel industry, in the light of a communication from the Commission.

It assessed the challenges stemming from overcapacity at global level and a fall in demand, a surge in imports and unfair trading practices, and the consequent fall in prices. It considered the trade-related aspects of the Commission's communication, including how to modernise the EU's defences against unfair trade practices.

The Council called for technical work to proceed on these issues without delay.

WTO/Post-Nairobi

The Council discussed the way forward in the ongoing WTO negotiations in the light of the outcomes of the December 2015 ministerial conference in Nairobi.

It emphasised the importance of the WTO at the heart of a well-functioning, inclusive multilateral trading system and the EU's commitment to Doha Development Agenda issues. Ministers also stressed that new issues, such as digital trade, need to be added to the WTO agenda.