Recognizing that such grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world,

Recognizing that valuation procedures should not be used to combat dumping;

Recognizing that this Understanding is without prejudice to the substantive disciplines prescribed in Article XVII;

Recognizing that this cooperation will contribute to improving the health of the people of their respective countries,

Recognising the serious post-conflict humanitarian problems caused by explosive remnants of war,

RECOGNIZING the desirability of determining by agreement uniform international rules regarding salvage operations,

RECOGNISING that such simplification and harmonization can be accomplished by applying, in particular, the following principles:

Recognising that the promotion and protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiatives,

Recognizing that certain investment measures can cause trade-restrictive and distorting effects;

Recognizing that it is necessary to reconcile the fundamental values of the respect for privacy and the free flow of information between peoples,

RECOGNISING that the provisions of those Conventions remain applicable for all matters not covered by this Convention,

Recognizing that clear and predictable rules of origin and their application facilitate the flow of international trade;

Recognizing that it is desirable to provide transparency of laws, regulations, and practices regarding rules of origin;

Recognising that the mutual promotion and protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiative,

Recognising that the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments on the basis of this Agreement will stimulate business initiative,

Recognizing that the flow of international trade could be impeded by the inappropriate use of import licensing procedures;

Recognizing that the Tribunal should enjoy such legal capacity, privileges and immunities as are necessary for the exercise of its functions,

RECOGNISING that, as a consequence, it is necessary to make use of the provisions of the Constitution concerning closer cooperation between some Member States;

Recognizing that import licensing may be employed to administer measures such as those adopted pursuant to the relevant provisions of GATT 1994;

Recognizing that these authorities and organizations must work together for these purposes, ensuring the highest degree of independence and transparency at all appropriate levels,

RECOGNISING that government subsidies may adversely affect airline competition and may jeopardize the basic objectives of this Agreement;

RECOGNISING that government subsidies may adversely affect air carrier competition and may jeopardise the basic objectives of this Agreement;

recognizing that the reasons for which the Convention was elaborated also apply to fixed platforms located on the continental shelf,

Recognizing that no country should be prevented from taking measures necessary for the protection of its essential security interest;

RECOGNISING that the United Kingdom shall not be obliged or committed to adopt the euro without a separate decision to do so by its government and Parliament;

Recognizing the availability of a consultation mechanism and procedures for the speedy, effective and equitable resolution of disputes arising under this Agreement;

Recognizing that it is in the common interest to achieve the optimum level of whale stocks as rapidly as possible without causing widespread economic and nutritional distress;

Recognizing that some Members apply preferential rules of origin, distinct from non-preferential rules of origin, the Members hereby agree as follows.

Recognizing that it is desirable to provide transparency of the operation of preshipment inspection entities and of laws and regulations relating to preshipment inspection;

Recognizing that the basis for valuation of goods for customs purposes should, to the greatest extent possible, be the transaction value of the goods being valued;

recognizing that this Agreement does not prejudice the rights and obligations of a Contracting Party under existing international agreements on health, safety and environmental protection;

Recognizing that the principles and obligations of GATT 1994 apply to those activities of preshipment inspection entities that are mandated by governments that are Members of the WTO;

Recognizing the important contribution that international standards and conformity assessment systems can make in this regard by improving efficiency of production and facilitating the conduct of international trade;

RECOGNISING in that context that support of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Tajikistan will contribute to the safeguarding of peace and stability in Central Asia,

Recognising that a practical way of achieving that aim would be the conclusion of an agreement providing for the free passage of medical, surgical and laboratory equipment on loan,

Recognizing that persons participating in proceedings and officials of the Tribunal should enjoy such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions in connection with the Tribunal,

Recognizing that customs unions and free trade areas have greatly increased in number and importance since the establishment of GATT 1947 and today cover a significant proportion of world trade;

RECOGNIZING that the Alps constitute the living and economic environment for the indigenous population and are also vitally important for extra Alpine regions, being the site of important transport routes, for example,

Recognizing that the elimination of doping in sport is dependent in part upon progressive harmonization of anti-doping standards and practices in sport and cooperation at the national and global levels,

Recognizing that cooperative action is necessary to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in cigarettes and other tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting,

recognizing in particular that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

Recognizing that in the course of achieving these objectives, whaling operations should be confined to those species best able to sustain exploitation in order to give an interval for recovery to certain species of whales now depleted in numbers;

Recognizing also that such contribution is increased if the elimination between the constituent territories of duties and other restrictive regulations of commerce extends to all trade, and diminished if any major sector of trade is excluded;

- recognizing that phytosanitary measures should be technically justified, transparent and should not be applied in such a way as to constitute either a means of arbitrary or unjustified discrimination or a disguised restriction, particularly on international trade;

Recognising that the transit of persons by land between the region of Kaliningrad and other parts of the Russian Federation through Union territory is a matter concerning the Union as a whole and should be treated as such and must not entail any unfavourable consequence for Lithuania;

recognizing that governments have the right to seek and implement improvements in the level of health, safety and environmental protection, and to determine whether the global technical regulations established under this Agreement are suitable for their needs;

- recognizing the necessity for international cooperation in controlling pests of plants and plant products and in preventing their international spread, and especially their introduction into endangered areas;

Realizing that, despite efforts in the past, progress in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought has not met expectations and that a new and more effective approach is needed at all levels within the framework of sustainable development,

Recognizing that the long-term objective of substantial progressive reductions in support and protection resulting in fundamental reform is an ongoing process, Members agree that negotiations for continuing the process will be initiated one year before the end of the implementation period, taking into account:

Recognizing that the whale stocks are susceptible of natural increases if whaling is properly regulated, and that increases in the size of whale stocks will permit increases in the number of whales which may be captured without endangering these natural resources;