Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the preparations he is making for the Trade Council meeting on 13 May 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10018/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Preparations for the Trade Council on 13 May will be finalised by the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) on 11 May.

I expect that the agenda will include debate on issues of strategic importance to the evolving EU's trade policy agenda. These include the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations, and preparation of the trade aspects of the EU-Japan Summit scheduled to take place on 28 May, as well as updates on the trade negotiations with strategic partners such as India, where there is potential for significant new export opportunities. I will be seeking to ensure that the Council will also have an opportunity to discuss the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Mercosur.

The agenda may also include a presentation from the Commission of a proposal for a Regulation on applying the Generalised System of Preferences, and a discussion on a draft Regulation proposed by the Commission concerning the establishment of transitional arrangements for Bilateral Investment Agreements between Member States and third countries.