WTO: 2016 NEWS ITEMS

ACCESSIONS


NOTE:
THIS NEWS STORY is designed to help the public understand developments in the WTO. While every effort has been made to ensure the contents are accurate, it does not prejudice member governments’ positions.

MORE:

  

H.E. Mr Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chief Negotiator, announced the adoption of a national strategic roadmap aimed at diversifying Azerbaijan’s economy and tackling the challenges caused by the decline in international oil and gas prices. Members of the working party expressed the hope that Azerbaijan would complete its accession negotiations in the near future.

“We reaffirm our commitment to accede to the WTO and to enact all possible measures to intensify the process,” the delegation of Azerbaijan said.

 

Foreign trade regime

In analysing to what extent Azerbaijan’s foreign trade regime complies with WTO rules, members sought clarification on privatization plans, customs valuation, internal taxation, technical regulations and standards, trade-related investment measures, intellectual property rights and trade in services. In addition, the chair reported on discussions on agricultural domestic support, which had taken place a day earlier with interested members. Azerbaijan updated members on legislative developments, including the adoption of a new law on anti-dumping, safeguards and countervailing measures.

 

Bilateral market access negotiations

Mr Werner recalled that “progress in bilateral negotiations is essential to move the accession forward” and urged members and Azerbaijan to “maintain bilateral contacts in a proactive manner”, with the aim of reporting progress at the next meeting of the working party.

 

Next steps

Azerbaijan has been invited to submit written replies to members’ questions, an updated Legislative Action Plan and copies of relevant draft and adopted legislation.

Mr Werner urged members and Azerbaijan to “accelerate work and to aim for the next meeting to be early next year”.

 

Background

  • Previous Working Party meeting: 6 March 2015 (12th meeting)
  • Working Party Chairperson: Ambassador Walter Werner (Germany)
  • Application received: 30 June 1997
  • Working Party established: 16 July 1997

 

More

Learn how WTO accessions negotiations work here.

Jargon buster 

• accession

• binding

• sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)

• technical barriers to trade (TBT)

• working party (accession)

• working party report (accession)

> More jargon: glossary

RSS news feeds

> Problems viewing this page?
Please contact [email protected] giving details of the operating system and web browser you are using.