Thank you McTim. Indeed, ICANN board approved XXX after nearly 7 years of discussions and counter discussions and finally being forced to adhere to its own policies. This experience has again highlighted the importance of getting the rules/policies for introduction of new gTLDS right.
Most governments are very unhappy with dot xxx and a great number of concerns expressed with the proposed guidelines for applications for new gTLDs, contained in the draft applicant guide. And while the EU's request is a departure from its long held support for limited interference what the EU is essentially also saying is, we need to get those rules/policies right.