Workshop Series on Trade Policy, Economic Analysis and Strategy:

Session 1. The Process of WTO Accession and the Case of Albania

Tirana, Albania

20-21 March 2003

Co-Sponsored by:

Commercial Law Development Division

U.S. Department of Commerce

&

Albanian Center for International Trade

Presented by:

Dr. Roberto J. Garcia

Funded by: USAID

ACIT Office

Session 1. The Process of WTO Accession and the Case of Albania

Objective: The purpose of this session is to provide background and a detailed overview such that a thorough examination e the terms and conditions of membership and the specific commitments and concessions made by Albania is possible.

20 March:

09:30-09:45 Distribution of Materials

09:45-11:15 Discussion of the process of WTO accession and a chronology of Albania's accession; current WTO negotiations and Albanian participation in the process

11:15-11:30 Coffee Break

11:30-13:00 Discuss basic principles and structure of the WTO; economic intuition guiding the rules and principles; review of the relevant Albania-specific WTO accession documentation (WP Report);

13:00-14:30 Lunch

14:30-16:00 General commitments, conditions and terms of Albania's membership; question and answer and comments

21 March:

09:30-11:00 Present and discuss Albania-specific commitments; market access on goods; economic implications; Agreement on Agriculture and the schedule on agriculture

11:00-11:15 Coffee Break

11:15-13:00 Agreement on Agriculture and the schedule on agriculture; develop the agenda and time table for subsequent sessions on economic analysis and strategy