(1)

The Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (‘the WTO Agreement’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision 94/800/EC (1) and entered into force on 1 January 1995.

(2)

Pursuant to Articles IV:1 and IX:1 of the WTO Agreement, the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’) has the authority to adopt decisions by consensus.

(3)

The WTO Ministerial Conference, during its 13th meeting from 26 to 29 February 2024, may adopt a decision on the accession of the Union of the Comoros (‘Comoros’) to the WTO.

(4)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the 13th meeting of the WTO Ministerial Conference, as the decisions are binding on the Union.

(5)

Negotiations for the accession of Comoros to the WTO started in 2007. The Working Party on the accession of the Union of the Comoros (the ‘Working Party’) was established on 9 October 2007. The ninth meeting of the Working Party took place on 5 October 2023.

(6)

The multilateral negotiations on additional trade-related areas are still ongoing. In 2022, the Commission, on behalf of the Union, finalised bilateral negotiations on a comprehensive series of market opening commitments on the part of Comoros.

(7)

Accession to the WTO is expected to make a positive and lasting contribution to the process of economic reform and sustainable development in Comoros. The Union should therefore support the accession of Comoros,