FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS
SIXTH MEETING OF MINISTERS OF TRADE

MINISTERIAL DECLARATION

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
 APRIL 7, 2001

14. With the support of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies and the Tripartite Committee, the Trade Negotiations Committee shall formulate, no later than November 1, 2001, some guidelines or directives on way of applying the treatment of the differences in the levels of development and size of economies.

Consultative Group on Smaller Economies

32. We have received the report of the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies and are grateful for its recommendations on activities and work to be completed in the future work of the Group, with the aim of successfully treating the differences in the level of development and size of the economies of the Hemisphere. We recall that considerations related to differences in the levels of development and size of the economies of the Hemisphere must be taken into account within the context of each Negotiating Group. We instruct the TNC to examine ways to strengthen the flow of information between the Negotiating Groups and the CGSE on issues arising relevant to the interests and concerns of smaller economies, so that the CGSE can adequately fulfill its mandate. We appreciate the considerable progress made in developing a data base containing the technical assistance needs and sources of technical assistance for smaller economies and are grateful for the further efforts made to enhance the system.