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From: Profreediver  Oct-6 6:23 pm 
To: ALL  (1 of 3) 
 3017.1 

Hi eveybody,

I'm looking for some information about the voting procedure in the WTO.

I know that each country can vote for one poll.
However, what about the European Union? For some special questions, regional organizations can vote.

Is it possible that for these special questions, Countries and regional organizations (as EU) vote in the same procedure, for that question?

I heard that for a regional organization, each country represents a poll. So 27 Countries in EU = 27 polls for a EU vote. Is that right or each regional organization is only 1 poll ?
Is that logic if Countries and regional organizations vote in the same procedure for some special questions?
It seems a bit unfair because some countries may get 2 polls for the same vote while some other countries only have one.

Hoping it sounds a bit clear to you.

Best regards

 
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From: Zain85  Oct-7 12:15 pm 
To: Profreediver  (2 of 3) 
 3017.2 in reply to 3017.1 

Hi there!

Well although in theory the WTO allows for voting if consensus is not reached, yet formal voting hardly took place in practice and I dont think it is meant to be, simply because voting requires simple majority to accept or veto, giving potential advantage to developing countries (as they form the bulk of WTO membership) rather than the developed nations. Hmm something developed countries (esp. the quad) would welcome? Nope.

But if voting was practiced, and 'one country, one vote' is to be applied, I think regional blocs such as the EU would still vote according to that rule (i.e. 27 votes), instead of 'one bloc, one vote'.

Zain

 
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From: Profreediver  Oct-7 1:18 pm 
To: Zain85  (3 of 3) 
 3017.3 in reply to 3017.2 

Hi there !

I agree with you...

But don't you think that if regional blocs should vote, it would be a question where only blocs vote. I mean, if blocs and countries vote together for the same question, There would be two votes for the same country ( e.g: France, one vote as a country, and one vote in the bloc ).
That sounds really unfair for countries which aren't part of a bloc.

So if there a division between Countries / Blocs, or they can vote for the same question, at the same time?

Charles

 
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