In its 9th review of the European Union's trade policy, the World Trade Organisation has praised the EU for its instrumental role in strengthening the multilateral trading system and its leadership in the Doha Round of world trade talks. The WTO report highlights the EU's efforts to help integrate developing countries into the international trading system. The report recognises the progress made over the last two years in consolidating EU's Internal Market, and notes the benefits of EU's reformed Common Agricultural Policy. The WTO meeting takes place in Geneva on 6 and 8 April 2009. The revision has been done according to more than 800 advance written questions.

Key elements for the EU Trade policy

The WTO acknowledged some key feature of the EU's trade policy over the past two years:

• The EU has been a major driving force in the Doha negotiations and in the process of integrating developing countries into the multilateral trading system.
• The EU has consistently argued that a swift, ambitious and balanced Doha Round outcome is the best way to prevent trade protectionism and boost the economy in the current economic downturn.
• The EU is committed to keeping markets open and to fighting protectionism.
• Progress has been made in the liberalisation of the EU's internal market for services. Reforms of telecommunications and postal services stand out as significant achievements.
• The EU has made significant progress in implementing the reforms of the EU's Common Agriculture Policy. The WTO recommends pursuing this path further.
• The EU's preferential trade agreements are designed to complement the WTO system as they substantially liberalize trade in goods and services between the countries party to the agreement.

Background

The Trade Policy Review Mechanism is the most important transparency exercise of the WTO. Its purpose is to contribute to improved adherence by all Members to rules, disciplines and commitments made under the different WTO provisions and agreements. It aims at promoting a smoother functioning of the multilateral trading system, by achieving greater transparency in, and understanding of, the trade policies and practices of WTO members. While not intended to serve as a basis for the enforcement of specific obligations, it is meant to provide for an overall assessment of the trade policy of the different WTO Members.

Along with the other major trading powers in the WTO, the EU is reviewed every two years by the WTO Trade Policy Review Body – the previous review was held in February 2007. The WTO report looks at all trade-relevant measures and practices.