43. The Chair said that the item had been put on the agenda at the request of Australia; Canada, Chile; the European Union; Japan; the Republic of Korea; Switzerland; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; and the United States. A communication had also been circulated in document IP/C/W/653 and Add.1.
44. The representatives of Japan; Australia; the United States of America; Chinese Taipei; Switzerland; Singapore; Canada; Chile; the European Union; the Republic of Korea; Benin, on behalf of the LDC Group; Ukraine, Colombia; Norway; the Russian Federation; Mexico, China, Indonesia, India, Brazil and Peru took the floor.
45. The Council took note of the statements made.