Public
FTAA.ngin/com/08
October 10, 2000

Original: English

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON INVESTMENT

Eighth Meeting

Miami, October 9-10, 2000

PRESS COMMUNIQUE

1. The eighth meeting of the Negotiating Group on Investment was held in Miami on October 9-10, 2000, with the participation of the following countries: Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

2. The agenda approved for discussion is attached as  Annex I.

3. During the course of the meeting, the Group discussed four substantive issues (expropriation and compensation, compensation for losses, general exceptions and reservations, and dispute settlement) that might, in principle, be included in the draft text of the Investment Chapter to be remitted to the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) 12 weeks prior to the next FTAA Ministerial meeting scheduled for Argentina in April, 2001.

4. The next meeting of the Negotiating Group on Investment will be held on November 27-29, 2000.

FTAA - NEGOTIATING GROUP ON INVESTMENT

Eighth Meeting

Miami, October 9-10, 2000

AGENDA

1. Approval of the agenda

2. Preparation of the NGIN's Report to the TNC

3. Draft text of the investment chapter

Cluster III: expropriation and compensation, compensation for losses, general exceptions and reservations, and dispute settlement