18. The representative of Australia said that his delegation was still confused about the EC proposal. What it understood was that the proposal would entail costs for governments of WTO dispute settlement in addition to costs of bilateral negotiations. He expressed his delegation's concern with regard to the intervention made by the EC on Article 24.1, and said that this provision was not relevant to this negotiation and that the joint proposal was the least costly proposal on the table, particularly on non-participating Members and on developing country Members.
