OPEN INVITATION TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN FTAA PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

  1. Recognizing the interests and concerns expressed relating to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by different sectors of society, and consistent with the principle of transparency in the FTAA negotiating process, Ministers Responsible for Trade of the Hemisphere, as agreed in the San José Ministerial Declaration, noted the contribution of "business and other sectors of production, labour, environmental, and academic groups", and encouraged "these and other sectors of civil societies to present their views on trade matters in a constructive manner." For this purpose, they established a Committee of Government Representatives on the Participation of Civil Society with the objective of receiving, analyzing and presenting the range of views of civil society for their consideration.
  1. The Committee extends an invitation to civil society to submit their views, as of November 1, 1998, in writing, by mail, fax, electronic mail or courier service.
  1. Each submission will:


c/o Tripartite Committee (Ref. Civil Society)
United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
1825 K St. NW, Suite 1120
Washington, D.C. 20006
Fax: (202) 296-0826
E-Mail: [email protected]

  1. The deadline for the receipt of submissions is March 31, 1999, in preparation for the Ministerial meeting in October 1999 in Canada.