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text of Mr. Moore's statement
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  “This
Conference is overdue,” said Mr. Moore. “Several countries from
this region have been WTO Members for some time. Others have either
recently joined the WTO or are in the process of joining. Their
concerns and interests differ from country to country but there are
also areas of significant commonality. In all cases, there is much
that could and needs to be done to assist their further integration
into the multilateral trading system. Greater integration will be
beneficial for the system and for all Members”.
“WTO
membership and trade liberalization can help foster prosperity,
stability and peace. Trade liberalization creates jobs and growth, and
people who profit from trading with each other develop and build
stability. WTO membership, or the prospect of it, can help lock in
liberal economic reforms and a commitment to the rule of law. WTO's
dispute settlement system provides a vital safety valve for countries
to settle their trade disputes without recourse to force. Thus, trade liberalization, commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful
settlement of disputes through a multilateral forum such as the WTO
are all ingredients for building a climate of stability. I am glad
that transition economies are playing a positive and constructive role
in the multilateral trading system,” Mr. Moore said.
Mr.
Moore urged all key stakeholders, multilateral agencies, regional
banks and bodies, as well as bilateral donors, to play their part in
assisting countries of the region to further integrate into the
trading system and prepare for Doha Development Agenda negotiations.
The
Conference provides Ministers from the region with a unique
opportunity to consider critical issues relating to their countries'
participation in the multilateral trading system. Over the next two
days, participants will be discussing some of the most critical issues
facing the multilateral trading system: technical cooperation;
accession; issues emerging from Doha; regionalism; and challenges and
opportunities for trade and investment.
Ministers
and high-level officials from 18 countries, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia,
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia
and Turkey are scheduled to participate. Also invited are
representatives from the following multilateral agencies, regional
banks and bodies, non-governmental organizations and bilateral donors:
the United States and the Commission of the European Union, the
diplomatic corps, representatives from the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund (IMF), International Trade Centre, the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Chamber of
Commerce, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Stability Pact, Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC), Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC),
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the
Joint Vienna Institute, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Soros Foundation and
World Economic Forum.
> Full
text of Mr. Moore's statement
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