. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/84
1 December 1999
(99-5274)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Nikola Gruevski
Minister of Trade
Allow me, at the outset, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia to
express our gratitude to the Government of the United States of America, the WTO Secretariat, the
City of Seattle and to the participants for their strenuous efforts to launch a new round of negotiationsin building a global economy that will promote open trade and prosperity and lift the standard of
living and the quality of life for people throughout the world.  This is a historic event and should truly
result in a round of common vision, hopes, economic prosperity, jobs and development.
We fully recognize the strivings directed towards ensuring an open, fair and dynamic
multilateral trade system as the basis for global economic environment beneficial to growth, economic
and social development.
In today's reality of globalized, rapidly chan ging and interdependent world, the Republic of
Macedonia considers the further development of the open market economy amongst the fundamental
objectives of its economic reforms.  In the last years the process of comprehensive reform
undertakings in the economic and political system pursue a very intensive pace under the guidingprinciples of democracy, political pluralism, respect for the human rights and freedoms, ethics of civil
society and the rule of law.  Within this policy framework, my Government is committed to
strengthening of economic stability and implementation of structural economic reforms with the
ultimate objective to create efficient economic capacity for a sustained economic growth.
The Macedonian economy still struggles to overcome the deep decline and negative lasting
consequences of the long political turmoil in the region.  Further persistent efforts are ahead and the
assistance from outside is crucial.  We are strongly determined to create stable conditions to attract
foreign investment.
In the area of domestic trade regulation the new legal regime creates a framework for modern
and dynamic trade relations.  Although at the onset the adjustment of the national economy to the
conditions and requirements of the world market is a difficult task, it is the only way of attaining a
sustainable economic growth and development.
Taking into consideration that in the present stage regional trade cooperation is a building
block of the global multilateral trading system we have undertaken several activities in that area. We
attach great importance to our negotiations with the European Union, which is our main trading
partner, we are also in an advanced stage of negotiations with EFTA, and we have concluded a
number of bilateral trade agreements with countries in the region aimed at intensifying the economic
and trade relations.  We are enhancing our trade relations with other important trading partners, to
which, after becoming a WTO Member, the multilateral framework will add further significantimpetus.WT/MIN(99)/ST/84
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The Macedonian Government, in this perspective, attaches great importance to our accession
to the World Trade Organization and endeavours to complete it as soon as possible.  The Republic of
Macedonia builds its position in international economic relations by observing international principles
and standards.  Although not yet a World Trade Organization Member, we respect the basic GATTprinciples which became part of WTO regulations, and they are an integral part of our legislation.
Furthermore, we have extended and introduced comprehensive legal changes to cover all areas
involved in the accession process.  We have submitted the Memorandum for accession in July 1996.
The Memorandum has been circulated in April 1999.  We have undertaken intense preparations, and
we look forward to holding the first meeting of the working party very soon.
We believe in the universal character of the World Trade Organization and the multilateral
system which will enable growth of the world trade, investments and possibilities for new jobs and
rise in living standards.  In this context, we recognize the historic significance of the Seattle
Conference, to further develop and strengthen the rule-based, open, fair and dynamic multilateral
system.  We are determined to take part in the new round of negotiations and committed to further
contributions to the strengthening of the multi lateral trade system conducive to growth and
development.
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