User:Aletaixes/sandbox

Central America and the Caribbean is recognized for the cultivation of crops, specially bananas. In 2013, bananas sales abroad generated revenues up to $623 million. In the last 10 years, exports have increased by 197%, mostly to Europe and Asia. Although both countries making the trade benefit from it, the European Union has placed measured that are inconsistent to the GATT, GATS, and Import Licensing Agreement Articles. These measures are affecting countries like Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and St. Lucia.

The Dispute
On 28 September 1995, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United States requested consultations with the European Communities concerning the EC regime for the importation, sale and distribution of bananas. The EC measures are alleged to be inconsistent with Articles I, II , III , X and XIII of GATT 1994, Articles 1 and 3 of the Import Licensing Agreement, and Articles II , XVI and XVII of GATS.

On 3 October 1995, St. Lucia requested to join the consultations. On 11 October 1995, Costa Rica requested to join the consultations. On 12 October 1995, Colombia and the Dominican Republic requested to join the consultations. On 13 October 1995, Venezuela and Nicaragua requested to join the consultations.

Solutions
On November 8, 2012, the WTO announced the dispute had agreed on a solution concerning the dispute requested in 1995. They agreed on a solution pursuant of the Article 3.6 of the DSU. The European Community also agreed to respect the terms they set out in the Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas. The WTO agreed on circulating the agreed documentation to the other member states so they can be aware of the guidelines set by the European Community, and accepted by the Latin American MFN banana suppliers.