There appears to be a current divide between the “producers of counterfeit goods and consumer based countries” (Delegate of Vietnam). Tension is increasing as delegates scramble through possible solutions. ECOFIN shifted its focus to a new topic when the United Kingdom suggested a “serial database”, which intended to keep track of the validity of products. While many countries such as France and Canada were not in support they were not met without resistance. Due to this, debate has been repetitive and has not covered all aspects of the issue at hand.
At the same time, countries have been solidifying their stance on counterfeit goods; providing a ground for bloc formation. However, countries that are sources of online piracy have remained relatively quiet frustrating the delegates of western Europe. During debate the delegates of France and Finland heavily urged these countries to share their stance, hoping for possible cooperative operations.
Over the next day, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council will look to proceed to develop a set of guidelines that would efficiently combat counterfeit goods. As a general assembly, ECOFIN is only able to make general suggestions. If these suggestion are not satisfactory to the targeted government the clauses will be rejected. With China producing “87% of counterfeit goods the solution must be met with absolute approval by them” (Delegate of Finland). With a general agreement to this statement by the committee, it was still deferred by the delegation of Latvia and Russia. Thus, separate blocs formed.
Shortly after Latvia’s delegation declared its refusal “to work with the delegate of China” they were met with heavy criticism by the delegation of Canada and United Kingdom for straying from their foreign policy. Accordingly, frustrations are escalating and delegates are losing focus on the topic at hand. The delegation of China is continually a voice of reason within the committee reminding the committee not to “spare breath on useless quarrels”.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Committee is off to a rough start with resentment between delegates being apparent. Solutions are groundless and lacking, as the committee runs around with its tail between its legs. Currently bloc A is looking to integrate counterfeit workers into legitimate companies as well as harsher punishments on fake pharmaceutical goods. Meanwhile, bloc B is looking to develop a database of authentic products while increasing border control. It would be favourable to ECOFIN if differences could be overlooked and for similar clauses to be defined. Nonetheless, it is critical for the flow of debate to continue towards a possible solution, for the sake of the global economy.
At the same time, countries have been solidifying their stance on counterfeit goods; providing a ground for bloc formation. However, countries that are sources of online piracy have remained relatively quiet frustrating the delegates of western Europe. During debate the delegates of France and Finland heavily urged these countries to share their stance, hoping for possible cooperative operations.
Over the next day, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council will look to proceed to develop a set of guidelines that would efficiently combat counterfeit goods. As a general assembly, ECOFIN is only able to make general suggestions. If these suggestion are not satisfactory to the targeted government the clauses will be rejected. With China producing “87% of counterfeit goods the solution must be met with absolute approval by them” (Delegate of Finland). With a general agreement to this statement by the committee, it was still deferred by the delegation of Latvia and Russia. Thus, separate blocs formed.
Shortly after Latvia’s delegation declared its refusal “to work with the delegate of China” they were met with heavy criticism by the delegation of Canada and United Kingdom for straying from their foreign policy. Accordingly, frustrations are escalating and delegates are losing focus on the topic at hand. The delegation of China is continually a voice of reason within the committee reminding the committee not to “spare breath on useless quarrels”.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Committee is off to a rough start with resentment between delegates being apparent. Solutions are groundless and lacking, as the committee runs around with its tail between its legs. Currently bloc A is looking to integrate counterfeit workers into legitimate companies as well as harsher punishments on fake pharmaceutical goods. Meanwhile, bloc B is looking to develop a database of authentic products while increasing border control. It would be favourable to ECOFIN if differences could be overlooked and for similar clauses to be defined. Nonetheless, it is critical for the flow of debate to continue towards a possible solution, for the sake of the global economy.