Implementation of Latvia's membership to the WTO 

Taking part in the common EU negotiations

With the Latvia's accession to the EU, considering the provisions of Article 133 of Treaty establishing the European Community with regard to the competence in common commercial policy, negotiations in the framework of the WTO on behalf of Latvia is led by the European Commission (EC), namely the Directorate-General Trade being responsible for the issues of trade outside the internal EU market (DG Trade).

As the Member State of the EU Latvia continues to effectively implement its WTO membership in cooperation with EC. The main framework for this cooperation is Ad hoc Article 133 Committee. The Committee is established on the basis of the Council decision and is an independent body, where EU Member States are represented, and with which the EC is obliged to consult implementing the common commercial policy, as well as on a regular basis to report on the current status in the ongoing trade negotiations.

Internal coordination in Latvia

Internally the membership of Latvia to the WTO is implemented mainly in the framework of a consultative board (Consultative Board of Latvia's membership to the WTO). The Board was established according to the regulation No 45 of 09/02/1999 "On the Procedure of the Implementation of the Membership of Latvia to the World Trade Organization", adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia. Currently the following ministries are represented at the Board  - Economy, Finance, Education and Science, Culture, Transport and Communications, Justice, Health, Environment, Agriculture, as well as Financial and Capital Market Commission, Central Bank of Latvia and Patent Board. The composition of the Board is approved by the foreign minister with a notification of the minister of economy. The chairman of the Board is the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-chair – State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy.

The work of the Board is organized by its secretariat, established to the ministry of economy. The work of the Board is organized as regular meetings, held at least once in three months. Every member of the Board can suggest to convene an urgent meeting. With the approval of Members, representatives of entrepreneurship and NGOs can participate at the meetings in the observer status and with advisory rights. In the meeting each member of the Board has one vote. Decisions are adopted with a simple majority. In case the votes are equal, the chairman of the Board has the casting vote. The Board is able to take a decision if at the meeting at least half of all ministries are present, including the representative of the ministry being responsible for the issue at vote.  

Functions of the Board:

(1)   reviews the proposals concerning the implementation of Latvia's membership to the WTO, instructs responsible ministries to draft national position concerning the issues related to the WTO;

(2)   reviews and approves for the further submission in the government a position (mandate) formulated by the responsible ministries concerning the issues related to the WTO;

(3)   if necessary gives its assessment of compatibility of draft legal acts and international treaties with the Latvia's commitments in the WTO, as well as considers other WTO related matters.

Rights of the Board:

(1)   within its competence to require and receive the necessary information from state and municipal bodies, private companies and public organizations, except the information containing business secret;

(2)   to cooperate with mass media;

(3)   to consider any WTO related issue, if necessary to invite as consultants government officials, experts or representatives of public organizations.