Update 3: Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations
The second round of negotiations for a free-trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council was held in Riyadh on 20-22 November 2007. The first round of negotiations was held in Canberra 30 July-1 August 2007.
The second round aimed to capitalise on our earlier progress across the scope of the agreement and to push forward, particularly on issues where we had achieved some common ground. Discussions were assisted by the extensive intersessional work that Australia had undertaken since the first round and the varied information gathering and representations made, particularly on services issues, by Australian Posts in the Gulf. The GCC used the meeting to respond on many of the issues we had raised.
We made useful progress in a number of important areas across the agreement. We concentrated on goods and on services/investment but also held sessions on government procurement, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), Rules of Origin, intellectual property (IP) and framework issues.
We had an extensive exchange on our respective approaches to market access for goods. We continue to work with the GCC on principles to ensure that our goods agreement will provide the best possible outcome for Australia.
Discussions on services and investment were constructive, with the GCC following up on its services offer from the last meeting by tabling services requests. The GCC also made both an investment offer and a request.
We are currently working with the GCC on arrangements, including timing for the third round.
Your views on the Australia-GCC FTA negotiations are welcome at any time and can be conveyed to us by letter or email at gccfta@dfat.gov.au.
Return to Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations Page