Joint Statement on Legal Services

The following communication, dated 22 February 2005, from the delegations of Australia, Canada, Chile, the European Communities, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, and the United States is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.

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1.We, the co-sponsors, wish to convey to the wider membership points of convergence on issues discussed in the informal Friends group on legal services. It is noted that Members participated in discussions in the group without prejudice to the position of their respective governments on the use of the Central Product Classification or the question of whether and how they intend to liberalise trade in legal services in the Doha Round.