RESTRICTED WT/ACC/AFG/37 15 January 2016 (16-0340) Page: 1/11

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RESTRICTED WT/ACC/AFG/37 15 January 2016 (16-0340) Page: 1/11 RESTRICTED WT/ACC/AFG/37 15 January 2016 (16-0340) Page: 1/11 Working Party on the Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ACCESSION OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN SUMMARY OF THE FIFTH AND FINAL MEETING OF THE WORKING PARTY This document is the record of the proceedings at the Fifth and Final Meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan held on 11 November 2015. _______________ WT/ACC/AFG/37 - 2 - 1 OPENING STATEMENTS 1. The Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (H.E. Ambassador Rodrick van Schreven, Netherlands) called to order the Fifth and Final meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 11 November 2015. He said that, as set out in Airgram WTO/AIR/ACC/6 of 28 October 2015, the purpose of the meeting was to consider the draft Accession Package of Afghanistan. 2. In accordance with standard accession practice, the Chairperson proposed that the meeting would take place in formal and informal settings. The Fifth Meeting would start off, formally, during which the representative of the Acceding Government and Members of the Working Party would be invited to make statements for the record. After these statements, the formal session would be suspended and the meeting would continue informally. In the informal setting, the Working Party would review and consider the Draft Accession Package of Afghanistan. Following the consideration of the Draft Accession Package in the informal setting, the Fifth Meeting of the Working Party would resume in formal session thereafter. 3. It was so agreed. 2 FORMAL SESSION OF THE WORKING PARTY 4. The representative of Afghanistan (H.E. Mr. Homayoon Rasaw, Minister of Commerce and Industries), in his opening statement, conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Afghanistan to the Working Party Chairperson, the WTO Director-General and the Secretariat team for their support during Afghanistan's accession process. 5. He considered the final Working Party meeting a major milestone in the process of Afghanistan’s integration into the multilateral trading system. It was a historic day for the people of Afghanistan, who had chosen to embrace democratic values. The aim was to maximize the benefits of WTO membership to bring prosperity and reduce poverty. WTO Membership was a key element of Afghanistan's overall strategic objectives to increase economic stability, improve regional security and cooperation, and achieve everlasting peace. 6. He pointed out that Afghanistan's aim was to become a trade and transit hub facilitating transit trade in the region for all. WTO membership for all countries in the region would create a level playing field for regional players, reduce trading costs and delays, and benefit all economic agents and consumers in both Central and South Asia. 7. In conclusion, Minister Rasaw announced that H.E. Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan, would join the Signing Ceremony at the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi (MC10). 8. Twenty two (22) Members of the Working Party intervened to welcome and congratulate the Delegation of Afghanistan. Members expressed their appreciation to the Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for his leadership in facilitating the accession process of Afghanistan. Members congratulated the WTO Secretariat, in particular the Accessions Division, for its contribution, support and tireless efforts leading to the finalisation of the draft Accession Package of Afghanistan. 9. The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stated that the accession of Afghanistan had been a pending priority on the Accessions' list. Saudi Arabia was pleased to adopt the Accession Package of Afghanistan just before MC10 in Nairobi as another achievement at the 20th Anniversary of the WTO. Afghanistan had a promising economy in a geographically strategic location in South Asia and its integration to the multilateral trading system would be beneficial to Afghanistan and to other WTO members. WT/ACC/AFG/37 - 3 - 10. The representative of the United States pointed out that accession negotiations were never easy but even more challenging for LDCs. Afghanistan had worked exceptionally hard in very difficult times to adopt new laws, to establish new institutions and to conclude these negotiations. Through the accession process, Afghanistan had incorporated broad economic reforms in its development goals within the framework of adopting WTO provisions. The Goods and Services Schedules were comprehensive and demonstrated clearly Afghanistan's goal of establishing a stable, predictable and commercially liberal economic environment for its businesses. 11. The representative of the European Union was pleased to join the consensus for adoption ad referendum of the Accession Package of Afghanistan. The European Union invited Afghanistan to take full advantage of the benefits of the rules-based system which, over the last few decades, had worked to ensure a level playing-field for all Members. Considering the importance of the post-accession phase, the European Union would keep delivering technical assistance to support Afghanistan in implementing its commitments. 12. The representative of India wished the government of Afghanistan success in its future journey towards its integration into the multilateral trading system and towards maximizing the trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of its people. Despite considerable domestic challenges, Afghanistan had taken a bold step towards integration in the global economy and had re-instated itself in a fair, equitable and rule-based multilateral trading system. India and Afghanistan had a strong relationship based on the foundations of historical contact and exchanges between the two nations. India would look forward to working closely with Afghanistan in the WTO and extending any assistance and support in its full accession. 13. The representative of Pakistan mentioned that, despite the challenges, Afghanistan's economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Pakistan and Afghanistan had a unique geographical position and were a gateway to Central Asia. Afghanistan was Pakistan's third largest trading partner. Pakistan would support the Draft Afghanistan Accession Package, ad referendum. 14. The representative of Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDCs' Group), stated that WTO accession was a very complex, arduous and difficult process. It was even more so for LDCs. That was the reason the LDCs were given special consideration by the membership of the WTO in the accession process. The accession of Afghanistan would contribute to the universality of the Organization. The LDCs' Group was pleased that Afghanistan soon would be a full Member of the Group and was eagerly waiting for Afghanistan's participation in the Group's activities. The LDC Group called upon the WTO membership to fully operationalise the 2012 Addendum of 2001 General Council Decision on the LDCs Accession Guidelines. 15. The representative of Japan said that his Government had taken a leading role in supporting Afghanistan's sustainable growth and development. Since the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan in 2012, Japan had implemented about US$2.5 billion assistance program in various areas including infrastructure and capacity-building. Japan was ready to provide further assistance to Afghanistan in the transformation period and in the Post-Accession phase. 16. The representative of Kenya welcomed the participation of the Chief Executive of Afghanistan, H.E Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, to the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya on 17 December for the signing of Afghanistan’s Protocol of Accession. He informed that the Permanent mission of Kenya to the UNOG in Geneva was ready and willing to assist the Delegation of Afghanistan, as necessary, to facilitate the travel to Nairobi. 17. The representative of the Republic of Korea stated that, since the application of Afghanistan for WTO membership over ten years ago, Korea had actively supported the accession of Afghanistan to the Organization. WTO accession would be a significant boost for Afghanistan's economic growth and development, it would open new opportunities for trade expansion and would help Afghanistan consolidate its competitiveness-enhancing reforms. Korea would look forward that Afghanistan's accession would serve as a catalyst for further strengthening the bilateral relations between Korea and Afghanistan in the years to come. 18. The representative of Brazil underscored that his Government had always been a close supporter of the process. Brazil was pleased to recognize that, with the leadership of President WT/ACC/AFG/37 - 4 - Ashraf Ghani, and of the Chief Negotiator on the accession of Afghanistan, Deputy Minister Mozammil Shinwari, Afghanistan had been able to overcome all obstacles and to complete this long and challenging road. 19. The representative of China highlighted the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. It was also the year of China-Afghanistan Friendly Cooperation. In recent years, the bilateral cooperation between two countries was rapidly developing and expanding with Afghanistan's post-war reconstruction efforts. China was convinced that, with commitment and efforts of the Government and the people of Afghanistan and, the support from the international community, Afghanistan would tackle all the difficulties,
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