GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS
ON TRADE IN SERVICES
Adopted by the Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services on 28 March 2001

I.OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES
1.Pursuant to the objectives of the GATS, as stipulated in the Preamble and Article IV, and as required by Article XIX, the negotiations shall be conducted on the basis of progressive liberalisation as a means of promoting the economic growth of all trading partners and the development of developing countries, and recognizing the right of Members to regulate, and to introduce new regulations, on the supply of services. The negotiations shall aim to achieve progressively higher levels of liberalization of trade in services through the reduction or elimination of the adverse effects on trade in services of measures as a means of providing effective market access, and with a view to promoting the interests of all participants on a mutually advantageous basis and to securing an overall balance of rights and obligations.
2.The negotiations shall aim to increase the participation of developing countries in trade in services. There shall be appropriate flexibility for individual developing country Members, as provided for by Article XIX:2. Special priority shall be granted to least-developed country Members as stipulated in Article IV:3.
3.The process of liberalization shall take place with due respect for national policy objectives, the level of development and the size of economies of individual Members, both overall and in individual sectors. Due consideration should be given to the needs of small and medium-sized service suppliers, particularly those of developing countries.
4.The negotiations shall take place within and shall respect the existing structure and principles of the GATS, including the right to specify sectors in which commitments will be undertaken and the four modes of supply.