WTO NEWS: SPEECHES — DG PASCAL LAMY

Statement by the Director-General to the General Council on the Accession of Ukraine

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Mr Chairman, I am particularly pleased to welcome to the WTO President Victor Yushchenko and the members of his delegation. President Yushchenko's personal commitment to his country's accession was a major factor in the successful outcome to these negotiations. His presence here today is another testament to the importance that Ukraine attaches to its membership of the WTO. President, I want to thank you for this.

I would also like to pay tribute to the negotiating team. We all know that a WTO accession is not an easy ride, and we also know that accession goes a long way in curing addictions to coffee and cigarettes — once the long sleepless negotiating nights are over!

Ukraine's WTO Membership will strengthen the multilateral trading system and provide this country with a stable and predictable trade environment that will contribute to boosting its growth and prosperity. As a Member, Ukraine will undoubtedly play an active and constructive role in the management and future development of the Organization. With its unique geographical position, economic structure and natural resource endowments, Ukraine has particular interests and concerns that should be reflected in the multilateral trading system. Ukraine's entry will represent a further step towards making the WTO universal in scope and coverage. This will undoubtedly benefit all current and future Members.

But if the work of the Ukranian delegation, especially over the last days, was particularly intense, so was the work done by Ambassador Mario Matus as Chairman of the Working Party. His personal commitment and capable hand guided the Ukraine and all WTO Members towards the finish line. I also want to publicly express my appreciation to his two predecessors, Andrew Stoler and Sergio Marchi who could not be with us today, but would like to join us in congratulating Ukraine.

So, President Yushchenko, colleagues, a warm welcome to Ukraine to the WTO — laskávo prósimo do SOT! [“welcome to the WTO”]

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