A conference on WTO issues took place in Ljubljana [14 May 2001]

On 11 - 12 May 2001 a Ministerial Conference of the European Commission and the EU candidate countries on World Trade Organisation (WTO) issues as well as on various foreign trade matters related to the EU enlargement took place in Ljubljana (Slovenia). The Latvian delegation was headed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Maris Riekstins, the delegation consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy.

At the conclusion of the conference a joint declaration of the European Commission and the EU candidate countries was signed whereby they express commitment to promote launching of a new multilateral round of trade negotiations in November this year during the 4th WTO Ministerial Conference as well as to co-operate closely in order to achieve this aim. The EU and the EU candidate countries support launching of a comprehensive round of trade negotiations that would reduce barriers to trade in goods and services and would include elaboration of new regulations pertaining to investment, competition, promotion of trade, environmental protection, antidumping and other matters related to foreign trade.

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