Foreign affairs council (trade)

 

When: 29/11/2012
Where: Justus Lipsius building, Brussels, Belgium
Topic: External relations and foreign affairs
Organiser: Council of the EU

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The Council will take stock of the state of play on the so-called trade "Omnibus" proposals which update the procedures for adoption and decision-making concerning a broad range of trade regulations, such as the trade defence instruments or the EU's general system of preferences. The update is due to the changes in decision-making brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon.

Trade ministers will also take stock of the state of play on a proposed regulation which establishes a framework for the allocation of the financial responsibility arising from investor-to-state dispute settlement cases conducted pursuant to an international agreement to which the Union is a party and initiated by a claimant of a non-EU country.

As regards negotiations with third countries, the Council will:

• be called upon to adopt a mandate for negotiations with Japan on a free trade agreement;
• prepare for the final stage of negotiations on a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with Canada and on a free trade agreement with Singapore;
• be briefed on the ongoing exploration of the possibilities for establishing "deep and comprehensive" free trade agreements with Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan.

Over lunch, ministers will discuss the trade and investment relations with Russia and China.

A presidency briefing, agenda and background note will be published on the Council website closer to the date of the meeting.

• Presidency of the Council of the EU website
• Council website
• EU External action service website