Mr Riekstins informs WTO Ministerial Conference on Latvia's position regarding launching of new multilateral round of negotiations [12 Nov 2001]

From 9 to 13 November 2001 the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Maris Riekstins participates in the 4^th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Doha, Qatar.

Mr Riekstins informed the participants of the conference that Latvia supports launching, at the 4^th Ministerial Conference, of a new comprehensive round of multilateral trade negotiations and that the results of the negotiations should give a considerable boost of economic liberalization, contribute to the global economic confidence and strengthen the multilateral trading system.

In his address at the conference the State Secretary pointed out that agriculture is one of the key issues of the new negotiations and Latvia is ready to discuss it. Latvia also underscores that, in view of special difficulties faced by agriculture sectors of transition economies, a specific flexibility should be allowed in the negotiations on agriculture.

Mr Riekstins also noted that in parallel to continuation of the multilateral negotiations on agriculture and services Latvia supports inclusion of the subjects of investment, competition, environment, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement and other issues into the new round of negotiations.

The State Secretary voiced opinion that particular attention should be paid to integration of the developing countries in the world trading system. In Latvia's view, the results of new negotiations should promote sustainable development of these countries.

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