165. The Chairman recalled that, at its meeting in September, the Council had had before it a request from the Maldives for an extension of the transition period under Article 66.1 of the TRIPS Agreement (IP/C/W/425). The Council had agreed that consultations be held on this request, and that the arrangements for these be coordinated between the Chair of the TRIPS Council and the Chair of the CTD.
166. Since then, the delegation of the Maldives had not been able to attend the meetings of the CTD and there had therefore not yet been an opportunity to organize consultations on this matter. At the meeting of the CTD held on 26 November, the Chair of that body had informed Members that the Maldives was working on a plan to achieve a smooth transition to developing country status. The CTD had agreed to revert to this matter at its next meeting on 22 February 2005, at which the delegation of the Maldives was expected to attend and to present its transition plan.
167. The Chairman suggested that the Council continue to proceed as agreed at its meeting in September.
