21st EU-Macao Joint Committee meeting

Summary:

Joint Press Release published by the EU-Macao Joint Committee following its 21st meeting on 5 December 2016.

Further information:

The meetings are held in accordance with Article 16 of the 1992 EC-Macao Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This was the 15th annual meeting since China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The EU and Macao SAR updated each other on the latest developments of their economies. The EU outlined the changing strategic environment and informed Macao SAR of its political and economic priorities. The European Union also welcomed Macao SAR's commitment to implement the automatic exchange of information in 2018 and encouraged Macao SAR to take the appropriate steps for the effective and timely activation of this exchange with the EU and other partners, so as to fulfil its commitment in accordance with OECD standards.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintain close contacts through the established channels.