Ārlietu padome, 13.05.2016., 2016. gada 13. maijs

Informācija par sanāksmi

Svarīgākie darba kārtības punkti Padome apspriedīs darbu pēc 2015. gada decembrī Nairobi rīkotās Pasaules Tirdzniecības organizācijas Ministru konferences. Tā izvērtēs gan tos jautājumus, kas vēl nav atrisināti saskaņā ar Dohas Attīstības programmu, gan jaunus jautājumus, kas jāizskata PTO.

Padome apspriedīs krīzi tērauda nozarē. Pusdienu laikā ministri apsvērs, kā panākt progresu sarunās ar Eiropas Parlamentu attiecībā uz "konfliktu izrakteņiem". Ar priekšlikumu tiecas līdz minimumam samazināt risku, ka ar izrakteņu un metālu pārdošanas starpniecību konfliktu skartajās zonās tiek finansēti bruņoti grupējumi.

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.