It is evident from the foregoing FTAA Ministerial statements that individual countries
reserve the right to opt out of specific elements of the FTAA negotiations and to pursue specific
negotiations with other FTAA countries. This means that the FTAA negotiations may not be
concluded with the full set of rights and obligations assumed by all of the member countries at the
same time, and that the negotiating process may be ongoing for an undetermined period after
2005.10