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WTO NEWS: 2001 PRESS RELEASES

Press/209
19 February 2001

Moldova concludes negotiations for accession to the WTO

The Republic of Moldova concluded today (Monday 19 February) its negotiations for accession to the WTO. The Working Party which considered the terms of Moldova's accession held its final formal meeting and adopted Moldova's package of accession documents constituting Moldova's terms of entry into the WTO.

Commenting on the news, WTO Director General, Mike Moore, congratulated Moldova for the rapid pace of the negotiations for accession and the “impressive hard work” done by the Republic of Moldova to secure membership of the Organization.

“28 countries are queuing up to join the WTO and there is a good reason for this,” said Mr. Moore. “Membership of the WTO promotes growth and development, peace and prosperity”. Since the last Ministerial Conference in Seattle in late 1999, five countries have become members representing 21 million people.

The Deputy Minister of Economy and Reform of Moldova Mr. Gheorghe Gaberi stated that with the aim of achieving economic development and increasing foreign investment and employment Moldova had adapted the foreign trade legislation to the WTO Agreements and accepted important trade liberalisation concessions and commitments in goods and services.

Members of the Working Party said that Moldova's participation would contribute to strengthen the multilateral trading system and welcomed the commitments undertaken by Moldova.

The accession's documents will now go to the next meeting of the WTO General Council for formal consideration and approval. After ratification by the Republic's Parliament, Moldova can become a member of the World Trade Organization.