120. The representative of Cuba said that, as a co-sponsor of document IP/C/W/474, his delegation advocated an amendment of the TRIPS Agreement so as to fulfil the objectives of the CBD and to minimize or prevent misappropriation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. He said that, although the issues of GI extension and GI register were important for a significant group of Members and his delegation supported horizontal modalities on a text based negotiating process without prejudging any outcomes, it did not welcome the proposal concerning the GI Register in its present form because it exceeded the mandate provided for in Article 23.4 of the TRIPS Agreement in substantive respects. Regarding the GI extension issue, he said that even if this issue were dealt with separately from the system proposed by the European Communities, his delegation did not support it as part of a negotiating package. In view of the above, horizontal negotiations appeared to be an appropriate way of clarifying how to move forward towards a common understanding.
