TURKEY TIFA: PROPOSED DATE, AGENDA

UNCLAS ANKARA 006641

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR LERRION
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/CRUSNAK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAGR TU USTR
SUBJECT: TURKEY TIFA: PROPOSED DATE, AGENDA
AND RELATED EVENTS

REF: A: PATRICK/ERRION 10/6/05 EMAIL

B: PATRICK/ERRION 11/9/05 EMAIL


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 2
& 3.


2. Turkey has proposed January 23 through 24, 2006, for
the next Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) Council
meeting with the US. Foreign Trade Undersecretariat
(FTU) U/S Tuncer Kayalar will lead the Turkish
delegation. Embassy would appreciate USTR's
confirmation of AUSTR Shaun Donnelly's and the US
delegation's availability for these dates.


3. FTU officials have proposed that the TIFA meeting be
organized so that Kayalar and Donnelly open and close
the meeting while working groups (without the
delegation heads' participation) discuss specific
issues during the day. Post requests USTR's response
to this proposal. FTU has also requested USTR's
feedback regarding their proposed agenda (ref A),which
includes discussions on overall trade policy,
agriculture (including rice),generalized system of
preferences (GSPs),investment issues, intellectual
property rights, regional cooperation issues, qualified
industrial zones (QIZs),anti-dumping and anti-subsidy
implementation, the Container Security Initiative
(CSI),and energy cooperation. According to the FTU
officials, they hope to finalize the agenda as soon as
possible so that they can begin scheduling appropriate
officials from other ministries and agencies. We would
also appreciate USTR's assistance in finalizing the
agenda.


4. Post has proposed a business-related event on the
margins of the TIFA that would bring Turkish and
American companies together with government officials.
We envision a reception the evening before the TIFA,
schedules permitting, and also possibly a meeting
between the private sector and the delegations prior to
the opening of the TIFA. In order to facilitate this
public-private dialogue, FTU has proposed two days for
the TIFA, one for the meeting and one for other events.
McEldowney