Public
FTAA.tci/com/07
July 26, 2002

Original: Spanish
Translation: FTAA Secretariat

FTAA - TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

Seventh Meeting

Panama, July 17-18, 2002

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

The Seventh Meeting of the Technical Committee on Institutional Issues (TCI) was held from 17 to 18 July 2002 in Panama. In attendance were representatives from the following 18 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Coast Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The TCI agreed on the Agenda, attached hereto, and covered all of the items.

The TCI agreed on the report to the TNC, which comprises three parts. Part I describes the activities carried out by the TCI in conformity with its terms of reference (FTAA.tncmin/2001/02, which can be found at http://www.ftaa-alca.org), Part II contains the draft text on general and institutional issues of the FTAA Agreement, which includes proposals submitted by delegations, and Part III covers other proposals and recommendations presented in accordance with the aforementioned mandates.

The TCI noted and discussed the contributions received from civil society. It was also mentioned that the first regional seminar with civil society (“Opportunities and Challenges of the FTAA for North America”) is currently being held in the city of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, and more than 100 civil society representatives from Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico are participating. The TCI recognized the importance of staging these types of seminars in the hemisphere.

The next TCI meeting will be held in accordance with the schedule of meetings that the TNC establishes at its next meeting.

1. Approval of the agenda

2. Discussion of the draft consolidated text and recommendations on substantive issues

3. Approval of the Report to the TNC

4. Information from other FTAA entities

5. Other procedural or substantive matters