Remarks at the Informal TNC (July 21, 2008, Korea)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I thank you for convening this meeting. I also would like to thank the Chairs of the negotiating groups for their hard work. What they've achieved is clear -- incremental but substantial progress, particularly during the past few weeks.
Many of us have been getting questions from our industry and other stake-holders asking us why this Round is getting delayed and delayed again. But let us not forget that we members of the WTO, now 153 economies, have worked arduously covering a tremendous number of issues. And this week, we got together to set up a decisive steps on the modalities of AG and NAMA in order to conclude the Round successfully by the end of this year.
In our work of this week, as many previous speakers have reiterated, a right balance is the key to reaching a much needed agreement. The right balance for Korea should include,
First in agriculture, as one of the biggest net-payers, Korea needs three, not many, a reasonable number of zero-cut Special Products; an effective SSM with a substantially higher UR bound cap than the current Chair's text; and no tariff capping.
Next, in NAMA, a sufficiently high level of ambition, particularly in terms of the coefficients and flexibilities for developing countries.
On Services, I am ready to signal substantial market access improvements in Korea's next offer and I hope that the others will reciprocate.
As regards in-between issues, I have serious concern over the Rules area, both on anti- dumping and fisheries subsidies. However, I would rather refrain from raising these issues in order to avoid overloading the negotiations. I urge other Members to do the same so that Ministers could focus on the AG/NAMA modalities during this week.
Mr. Chairman,
In concluding, I trust in your leadership and assure you of my readiness to make constructive contributions.
Thank you.
