Brussels and China in liberalisation talks /17 May 2001/

The European Commission will this week begin exploratory talks with China on the negotiation of bilateral maritime agreements to liberalise shipping services between the two major trading blocs.

The step is part of the commission’s policy to seek further liberalisation of maritime affairs though direct negotiation with trading partners as a precursor to Europe’s hope that shipping services will be brought under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation. Fernando de Esteban, the commission’s deputy director general for energy and transport, told the Bimco general meeting that a preliminary round of meetings was being held this week not only with China but also India.

“My services are following up on the mandate given by the EU Council of Ministers with a view to negotiate and conclude bilateral maritime agreements with China and India,” he told the meeting in Beijing.

“I am pleased to say that the first relevant exploratory talks will start this week with both countries.

“We are looking forward to the achievement of a solid agreement within the WTO. In other words a broad agreement between a sufficiently large number of WTO members which would bring international maritime transport within effective WTO disciplines.” He added: “This explains why the European Communities (sic) and their member states presented recently a joint statement to the WTO with Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Singapore on the further liberalisation of maritime transport services.”

Source: Lloyds' List, Julian Bray

Ahlers Logistic and Maritime Services is active in the trade to and from China and has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Shenzen.
For more info, please feel free to contact Mr Koen Roeyers (koen.roeyers(at)ahlers.com) for any info you should require in this regard.