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Report: Executive Committee
Videoconference
23 October 2003

1. Introduction
The first meeting via videoconference of the Executive Committee of FIPA was held on the 23rd of October 2003. The event was organized with the cooperation of the World Bank, through its Global Development Learning Network (GDLN).

Representatives of seven of the nine member countries of the Executive Committee participated in the meeting. The list of participants is given in Annex 1.

The main objectives of this activity were to consider the preparation for the next plenary meeting of the forum, particularly the topics for the work groups, and to discuss participation by the members of the committee in the upcoming ministerial summit in Miami.

2. Opening
The Chair of FIPA, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, welcomed the participants and applauded the use of the new communications media as alternatives for carrying out future forum activities.

After explaining the method of participation, Senator Hervieux-Payette reviewed the working agenda and explained that, on this occasion, it was not necessary to reach a final decision on the different points, but rather to lay the groundwork for the discussions that would be held in November in Miami.

The Chair then proceeded to consider the different points on the agenda, consulting each of the participants in turn.

3. Selection of the topics for the next plenary meeting, Chile 2004
The members of the Executive Committee agreed that that Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) should be the central topic for the next plenary meeting. They noted the importance of defining mechanisms for parliamentary participation in negotiation of the FTAA, so that legislators could play a larger role in the process of trade integration.

They also proposed that the following topics be discussed by the work groups, as they are relevant for the countries of the region and complement the FTAA discussions:

Environment

The environment was a critical issue for various countries and could be included in the FIPA agenda. The environmental impact of the FTAA and other free trade agreements, and the measures taken by governments in these areas are some potential areas for discussion.

Hemispheric security

The subject of hemispheric security, which had been present on the FIPA agenda since the plenary meeting in Mexico, should be followed up on. In Chile, the work of the group on terrorism could be continued, consolidating this thematic group under the framework of FIPA and making progress in developing parliamentary strategies to combat the scourge.

The foreign debt

The topic of the foreign debt continues to be of great importance for a number of countries in the region. Therefore, it could be included in the agenda of one of the work groups in an effort to determine ways by which parliamentarians can contribute to finding solutions to the problem.

Harmonization of fiscal policies

The topic of fiscal polices discussed at the plenary meeting in Panama could be continued in Chile. Direct actions parliamentarians can take in order to respond to the need to design tax policies consistent with the processes of trade integration, particularly under FTAA, could be discussed in light of the conclusions of the work group in Panama.

The WTO and the Singapore issues

A work group dealing with the development of the World Trade Organization, particularly the events at the Doha and Cancun meetings, is being considered. The negotiations on the Singapore issues (investment, competition, transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation) could also be discussed.

4. Determination of the dates for the next plenary meeting
As discussed with the representatives of the host country (Chile), the Chair of FIPA proposed that the meeting be held on 1, 2 and 3 April 2004.

The members of the committee agreed with those dates and it was decided to begin early preparations based on that decision.

5. Preparation for the meeting of the Executive Committee in Miami
The chair of FIPA talked about the preparations for the next meeting of the Executive Committee to be held in parallel with the FTAA Ministerial Summit in Miami. She explained that a meeting is being arranged with the trade ministers present in Miami and with representatives of the Business Forum of the Americas and civil society organizations. A meeting with members of the United States congress, inviting them to participate in FIPA, is also being planned.

The members of the Executive Committee present agreed on the importance of the Miami meeting and each indicated that they planned to attend.

With regard to the strategy for participation in Miami, Canadian parliamentarian John Godfrey asked the members of the committee to prepare a document outlining the views of each of their countries on the FTAA negotiating process, explaining the official position of their government, the actions being taken by parliament and the views of the general public. The documents will be circulated among the members of the committee and will help members to understand the realities of the process in the different countries so that a concerted position can be taken at the Miami meeting.

6. Close of the meeting

The Chair thanked the members of the Executive Committee for their participation and noted that the outstanding topics would be discussed at the Miami meeting.

7. Annexes

7.1 Annex 1 - Participants

Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette (CANADA)
Chair of FIPA

Sr. Mateo Barney (CANADA)
Secretary of the Executive Committee

NORTH AMERICA
Senator Silvia Hernández (MEXICO)
Legislator John Godfrey (CANADA)

CENTRAL AMERICA
Legislator Mario Calderón (COSTA RICA)

CARIBBEAN
Senator Anthony Jonhson (JAMAICA)

SOUTH AMERICA
Legislator Luiz-Carlos Hauly (BRAZIL)
Legislator Marcelo Stubrin (ARGENTINA)

HOST COUNTRY OF THE NEXT MEETING
Senator Sergio Romero (CHILE)
Legislator Waldo Mora (CHILE)

OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Sabra Ripley (FIPA-CANADA)
Susan Skinner (Facilitator-GUATEMALA)

Important Notices  © 2005 FIPA - Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas, All Rights Reserved.
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