HANDBOOK ON ACCESSION TO THE WTO: CHAPTER 5

Substance of Accession Negotiations

 

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5.2 Rules

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The following sections examine each of the main subjects dealt with in the Working Party Reports.

 

Introductory statements.  back to top

Introductory statements made at the first meeting of Working Parties provide applicants with an opportunity to introduce themselves. They may also provide an insight into the reasons behind their application to accede. Some have stated that membership will make an essential contribution to economic development by promoting an increase in foreign exchange earnings and by providing reassurance to the foreign investors that they need to attract. Members can use the resources generated by economic development to reduce poverty. However, it has also been recognized that WTO agreements create trading opportunities to maximize its benefits, and that membership must be part of an integrated approach to development and poverty reduction designed to enable traders to take advantage of the opportunities that it creates. Some applicants value the stability promised by the system, emphasizing that membership of the WTO will be a guarantee that their trade relations will be based on commercial considerations and the rule of law, rather than on political considerations and pure bargaining power. They have also been influenced by the fact that as Members they will be able to take part in the formulation of any future changes in the rules of the WTO. The possibility of building coalitions of like-minded Members to operate within the organization has also been attractive to applicants, especially to smaller countries.

Introductory statements also highlight issues of particular concern to their policy-makers. For instance, applicants claiming developing country status under WTO rules can present data substantiating this claim. While LDCs do not need to provide data to justify their special status under the WTO as the WTO follows the United Nations definition of LDCs, this section provides them with a useful opportunity to bring home their particular concerns.

Members often outline their expectations and make general points. One request usually made, already referred to above, is for a standstill — i.e. that applicants should not increase the level of their trade restrictions during the course of the negotiations for accession.

 

  

  

 

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