EU backs Uruguay joining talks on Trade in Services Agreement

The European Union announced on Friday its strong support for Uruguay joining ongoing talks on Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) to liberalize trade in services. Last year, Uruguay expressed its interest in joining TiSA and in September it submitted its application to participate in the talks. "The EU welcomes Uruguay's interest in the TiSA negotiations and strongly supports its participation in the TiSA negotiations from now on", confirmed EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht. TiSA is an initiative open to all WTO members interested in further liberalizing trade in services. Launched in March 2013, the talks currently involve 23 WTO members, although the negotiations are not being held within the WTO itself.