VI.EXTERNAL ISSUES

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

70.The European Council welcomes the outcome of the 1998 WTO Ministerial and the Heads of Government event marking 50 years of the GATT, in Geneva in May.It reaffirms its commitment To the World Trade Organisation and its dispute settlement system, and to further multilateral trade liberalisation which will enhance living standards and global economic growth.It underlines the importance of initiating a comprehensive new round of liberalising negotiations at the third WTO Ministerial Conference towards the end of 1999.

71.The European Council also stresses the importance of the ECU's market access strategy as a means of removing trade barriers in third countries.

72.It endorses the Presidency's intention to reach early agreement on the common market organisation on bananas, which includes import arrangements which conform to the Community's international obligations.

EU/US

73.The European Council took note of the common declaration on the transatlantic economic partnership which was adopted in London during the Transatlantic Summit Meeting on 18 May1998 The further development of transatlantic relations on a broad basis will continue to be one of the important objectives of the European Union.

SOUTH Africa

74.On the occasion of President Mandela's presence in Cardiff, the European Council reaffirms the Union's determination to strengthen existing links of friendship and cooperation with South Africa and develop these into new fields .

75.The European Council welcomes the strenuous efforts South Africa is making under its Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) programme to modernise the South African economy and integrate it into the world trading system.It recognizes too the success that has already been achieved in delivering such services as better utilities and basic healthcare to improve the lives of all people in South Africa.

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