DATE=4/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=E-U / CHINA / W-T-O (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261127
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=LUXEMBOURG
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  The European Union trade negotiator says the 
group's foreign ministers have given him flexibility 
in new talks with China about entering the World Trade 
Organization.  Correspondent Ron Pemstein reports from 
Luxembourg, where the foreign ministers are meeting.

TEXT:  Trade talks between China and the European 
Union broke down last month because of E-U insistence 
that European firms gain a greater share of China's 
telecommunications and insurance market.

The European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy, 
discussed the situation (Monday) with E -U foreign 
ministers and says he has won greater flexibility in 
resuming talks with China.  Mr. Lamy says he cannot go 
into details, but says he believes China is also ready 
to be more flexible.

The European Union is the largest trade group that has 
not yet agreed on the terms for China to enter the 
World Trade Organization.

Mr. Lamy tells reporters that E-U foreign ministers 
left it up to him to decide when to return to China.

            /// LAMY ACT ONE ///

      Clearly, the sooner the better.  But of course 
      it is a negotiation and, here again, substance 
      before timing.  I have at the end of the day to 
      balance and then to check with the council and 
      the (European) Parliament whether I have got the 
      right balance.  But I have clearly these two 
      things in mind.

            /// END ACT ///

The United States has agreed with China on the terms 
for membership in the World Trade Organization.  Mr. 
Lamy says he is interested in the Congressional debate 
about the conditions, but they will not influence the 
European negotiating position.

            /// LAMY ACT TWO ///

      We are following this very clearly, but I mean I 
      will not adopt a position which would be 
      depending on whether yes or not the (U-S) 
      Congress will agree to the deal.  The European 
      Union has its own agenda, it has its own 
      position, and we cannot be dependent on them.

            /// END ACT ///

Officials expect the E-U trade negotiator to return to 
China by the end of this month, but he would not 
confirm the timing of the resumption of talks.   China 
needs the agreement of the European Union to join the 
World Trade Organization.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RDP/JWH/RAE



10-Apr-2000 11:06 AM EDT (10-Apr-2000 1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.