Commission pushes for world deal on telecommunications
At a meeting with the European Services Coalition, on 11 March 1996, Sir Leon Brittan, European Commissioner responsible for external trade policy, stressed the importance of reaching a world deal on telecommunications in time for the 30 April 1996 deadline set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) over two years ago. The European Services Coalition was set up immediately after the Uruguay Round to provide the Commission with informal, direct advice on how best to implement and expand worldwide services rules. At this latest meeting, Commissioner Brittan urged the coalition, which is made up of leaders of Europe's major service industries, to join the Commission in pushing for an agreement on this issue. Sir Brittan stressed that: "Opening up the market in this crucial area is in the interests of all, it will speed up economic development in the countries that are currently maintaining unnecessary barriers, and it will provide major opportunities for those seeking to enter markets which have up to now been effectively closed." The Commissioner, however, expressed concern that, at such a short distance from the WTO deadline, over half of the 50 countries participating in the process have not yet put even an initial offer on the table. Sir Brittan noted, in particular, the importance of reaching a deal with Asian countries in light of the new Europe-Asia partnership launched in Bangkok, Thailand, on 1 March 1996.