ACTA Negotiations: Report on Round Five, 16 – 17 July 2009, Rabat
[ Last Updated 22 July 2009 ]
Short Description
A short report on Round Five of negotiations held on 16 and 17 July 2009
The fifth round of negotiations for the proposed Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was held in Rabat on 16 and 17 July 2009, hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco. Participants in these negotiations included Australia, Canada, the European Union (represented by the European Commission and Member States including the EU Presidency (Sweden)), Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
The meeting was open by Mr Ahmed Reda Chami, Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Mr Khalid Naciri, Minister of Communication and spokesman of the Government and Mr Youssef Amrani, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Mr Ahmed Reda Chami underlined in his speech the importance of ACTA as an agreement which shall provide an enhanced framework to fighting counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property rights. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to make intellectual property a main priority for economic, cultural and technological development.
During this meeting the discussions focused on International Cooperation, Enforcement Practices and Institutional issues (see 7 April 2009 "ACTA Summary of Key Elements Under Discussion"). Participants also continued previous discussions on transparency matters, including information to stakeholders and interested public. Participants agreed to release draft agendas before all subsequent negotiating rounds.
Participants confirmed that the next round will be hosted by the Republic of Korea in November 2009. With regards to progress of negotiations, the negotiating parties confirmed their intention to conclude the agreement as soon as possible in 2010.
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