WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS174/7
24 April 2003
(03-2188)
Original:  English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – PROTECTION OF TRADEMARKS
AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS AND FOODSTUFFS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Sri Lanka
The following communication, dated 16 April 2003, from the Permanent Mission of
Sri Lanka to the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission, the Permanent Mission of theUnited States and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 4.11 of the DSU.
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Pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), th e Government of Sri Lanka hereby notifies the
consulting parties and the Dispute Settlement Body that, in light of Sri Lanka's substantial trade
interest, Sri Lanka desires to be joined in the consultations under Article 64 of the TRIPS Agreement
(and, as incorporated by reference, Article XXIII of the GATT 1994) requested by the United States
in a communication circulated to WTO Memb ers on 1 June 1999 (WT/DS174/1) and 10 April 2003
(WT/DS174/1/Add.1) entitled "European Communities – Protection of Trademarks and Geographical
Indications for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs".
Sri Lanka has a substantial trade interest in exporting Ceylon Tea and Ceylon Cinnamon into
the EU market.  Sri Lanka is concerned that EU regulations which is the subject of aboveconsultations may limit registration of GI protection for above products in the EU market.
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