Osnutek Govora Za Državno Sekretarko Andrejo Kert Na MC9

10th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Nairobi

Address by Mr Aleš Cantarutti, State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia

Chairperson, distinguished Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are very glad that the twentieth anniversary of the WTO will be marked with the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference held for the first time on the African soil. At this occasion let us thank the Kenyan government for hosting this Ministerial.

Slovenia wishes a successful conference that will deliver meaningful and balanced set of outcomes and provide credible path for the future work.

First of all we would like to welcome the accessions of Republic of Liberia and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the WTO. We wish that Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will join us soon.

For Slovenia, as a small, open and export oriented economy, the functioning of the multilateral trading system is of paramount importance. A strong and effective WTO at the centre of the global trading system that responds to current and future challenges is essential. It provides simple, transparent and non-discriminatory rules for business and consumers worldwide.

We support to reach a comprehensive DDA outcome, but it is now clear that only limited set of issues can be agreed. Nevertheless, we believe that also a small package will contain great benefits to members and to the world economy as a whole.

Regarding export competition in agriculture Slovenia would like to see a comprehensive and balanced outcome of all four types of export support that distort trade. We all agree that development is at the heart of Doha Round and it is our responsibility to deliver concrete development results with a strong focus on least-developed countries.

What we decide to do after Nairobi is also important. We have to find new approaches to move outstanding DDA issues forward. At the same time new trade issues are becoming more and more relevant and the WTO should respond to these new challenges.

In Bali we agreed on Trade Facilitation Agreement. The benefits of the agreement are widely recognised among the members and the business community. Therefore we need to speed up the ratification processes.

Slovenia welcomes a significant achievement on the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement here in Nairobi yesterday. The agreement clearly shows that WTO can deliver.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For Slovenia and similar small economies international trade is crucial, it is like the air that we breath. That’s why efficient rules and agreements in this area are so important.

The success from yesterday should inspire us to do our best for the Nairobi outcome that will further strengthen the multilateral trading system and will contribute to our economic growth, development and jobs.

Thank you.