SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON DOHA ROUND - GEOGRAPHIC

UNCLAS MADRID 001038 SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/TPP AND EUR/WE STATE PASS USTR TANUJA GARDE AND DAWN SHACKLEFORD COMMERCE FOR 4212/CALVERT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR EUN SP SUBJECT: SPAIN: DEMARCHE ON DOHA ROUND - GEOGRAPHIC INDICATORS, EXTENSION, AND TRIPS/CBD PATENT DISCLOSURE REF: STATE 104985 ¶1. Econoff delivered reftel demarche to Marta Blanco, Deputy Director General for EU Trade Policy, and Isabel Pastor, Advisor for EU Trade Policy, at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade. ¶2. As this was an initial meeting - Blanco is new to her position, having replaced longtime Deputy Director Inigo Febrel in September - Blanco took the opportunity to provide an overview of Spanish trade policy and GOS aspirations in the area of trade for its EU presidency in the first half of ¶2010. She said Spain remains keenly interested in reaching agreement on outstanding Doha issues as a way to generate confidence in international markets and create new business opportunities to help the global economy recover. The GOS has high hopes that progress can be made at the upcoming WTO Ministerial, creating momentum that can lead to important achievements in early 2010. Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Trade Miguel Sebastian will lead Spain's delegation to the Ministerial, and Blanco asked who will represent the United States. She stressed the GOS' interest in more bilateral contacts, which she said will contribute to transparency and help bring about a convergence on the issues. ¶3. In response to the demarche, Blanco stated that a binding registry for geographical indications (GI) and GI extension are key priorities for Spain in the Doha Round. She acknowledged that negotiation of patent disclosure rules, though not specifically related to the GI issues, is mentioned in the same document and represents the European Commission-Swiss position. However, she indicated that the GOS had less interest in this TRIPS/CBD matter than in GI. She took on board Econoff's explanation of why the U.S. does not support amending TRIPS to add a disclosure requirement. At the same time, she expressed disappointment that our positions were so far apart on the question of the GI registry and GI extension, even while holding out hope that we might still find common ground. Econoff agreed this was desirable but cautioned against unrealistic expectations of a change in the U.S. position. ¶4. Blanco stated that strengthening bilateral relations with the United States is a high priority for Spain's EU Presidency and that Spain sees the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) as an important vehicle for achieving that goal. She noted that during Spain's presidency, the EU will also hold high-level meetings with Canada, Russia, Central American countries, Andean countries, and North African countries, and will try to move the Mediterranean process forward. Among trade issues Spain would particularly like to see results on during its EU presidency, she listed the Boeing-Airbus dispute and ACTA negotiations. ¶5. Comment: While Blanco was receptive to our Doha Round message that the parties should focus their efforts on achieving better market access for agriculture and NAMA, she gave no indication that Spain was prepared to reconsider its strongly-held position on the binding GI registry and GI extension. End Comment. CHACON