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SAARC approves India`s stand on WTO
The SAARC ministerial meeting on Thursday gave its stamp of approval to India`s stand on WTO in its joint declaration which stresses on resolution of implementation concerns upfront and greater market access by developed countries.
The SAARC ministerial meeting on Thursday gave its stamp of approval to India`s stand on WTO in its joint declaration which stresses on resolution of implementation concerns upfront and greater market access by developed countries.
The 15-point joint statement issued at the end of a
two-day meeting to evolve a common front on WTO issues,
reiterated India`s stand that implementation of issues which was
a fallout of the Uruguay Round, should be resolved upfront
without any extraneous linkages.
The declaration also called for increased market access opportunities to be provided by the developed countries to facilitate industrialisation in developing countries by eliminating trade distorting subsidies, non-tariff barriers and unreasonable protectionist measures. The statement expressed deep disappointment on the lack of any meaningful progress despite a clear decision in May 2000 by the WTO general council that these issues have to be addressed and decisions taken for appropriate action not later than the fourth WTO ministerial conference.
Any further delay was likely to erode the credibility of the multilateral trading system among the developing and the least developing countries, it said. In agriculture, SAARC ministers emphasised the need for substantial reductions in tariffs and tariff escalations, reduction in domestic support and elimination of all forms of export subsidies given by developed countries to facilitate greater market access for agricultural products of the developing countries.
The statement also called for a moratorium on anti- dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures, resorted to by importing countries on exports from developing and least developing countries until Jaunary 7,2007.
The statement voiced concern that Uruguay Round of agreements and their implementation had further accentuated inequalities and disparities between developed and developing countries. It said, "Relevant provisions of the TRIPS agreement relating to meaningful transfer and dissemination of technology by developed to developing countnries should be effectively operationalised."
"Greater flexibility and clarity were also required so as to ensure affordable access to essential medicines and life saving drugs in keeping with public health concerns of developing countries," it said adding that nothing in TRIPS agreement should prevent governments from taking measures for protecting public health.
Bureau Report
The declaration also called for increased market access opportunities to be provided by the developed countries to facilitate industrialisation in developing countries by eliminating trade distorting subsidies, non-tariff barriers and unreasonable protectionist measures. The statement expressed deep disappointment on the lack of any meaningful progress despite a clear decision in May 2000 by the WTO general council that these issues have to be addressed and decisions taken for appropriate action not later than the fourth WTO ministerial conference.
Any further delay was likely to erode the credibility of the multilateral trading system among the developing and the least developing countries, it said. In agriculture, SAARC ministers emphasised the need for substantial reductions in tariffs and tariff escalations, reduction in domestic support and elimination of all forms of export subsidies given by developed countries to facilitate greater market access for agricultural products of the developing countries.
The statement also called for a moratorium on anti- dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures, resorted to by importing countries on exports from developing and least developing countries until Jaunary 7,2007.
The statement voiced concern that Uruguay Round of agreements and their implementation had further accentuated inequalities and disparities between developed and developing countries. It said, "Relevant provisions of the TRIPS agreement relating to meaningful transfer and dissemination of technology by developed to developing countnries should be effectively operationalised."
"Greater flexibility and clarity were also required so as to ensure affordable access to essential medicines and life saving drugs in keeping with public health concerns of developing countries," it said adding that nothing in TRIPS agreement should prevent governments from taking measures for protecting public health.
Bureau Report