. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/135
12 November 2001
(01-5738)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
ESTONIA
Statement Circulated by H.E. Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Only two years ago, in Seattle, Estonia was the newest, the 135th member of the World Trade
Organization.  By now, the membership has expanded significantly, reaching 144 after the accession
of China and Taiwan.  The World Trade Organization, as a vital global body, is constantly changingand developing.  Just as is the whole world around us.  So the question of the day is - are we really
able and willing to take a lead in making thes e changes when it comes to promoting world trade?
During the past two months, we have witnessed the most outrageous and unforeseeable events
to have shattered the stability of the internationa l community since the Second World War.  The world
economy, which has always tried to achieve increased stability and predictability, is currently living
through complicated times.  But we must keep in mind, that throughout history, times of difficulty and
unpredictability have also been periods of exceptional solidarity and of wise decision-making.
I would like to stress that we have been presented with an outstanding opportunity, actually
an obligation:  the eyes of the world are upon the Conference here in Doha, since the world expects us
to achieve the cohesion it needs, and is waiting for decisions that will insert new hope into the futureof the world economy.
The need for a new round of constructive and productive talks is greater now than it was
before Seattle.  Perhaps  even greater, my friends, than before Punta-del-Este.  It is our duty, it is our
responsibility, to crystallize our common interest, and to proceed along the chosen path of tradeliberalization,  Every Member of the WTO must contribute to the achievement of this global target.
Estonia is ready and eager to participate in the new round of global talks on further liberalization of
trade.  We believe that increasing global trade is to the benefit of all WTO Members, be they big or
small, founding members of the GATT, or newly acceded. In order to materialize these benefits we
support the idea that flexibility should be s hown to accommodate the interests of Members with
various levels of economic development.
The liberalization of trade has proven itself as a tool that promotes the type of economic
growth that is required at this very moment.  For Estonia, with its compact and liberal economy,
foreign trade  is of crucial importance.  The volume of Estonia's foreign trade is nearly twice its GDP.
Estonia has more than 180 trade partners, and we export to  more than 130 countries.  These are
figures to show that for small countries global trade is a highly needed locomotive for economic
growth.  Having emerged from a period of transition, we  are very familiar with the advantages that a
liberal economy can offer.  Our experience is that active participation in world trade, and a general
openness to what the world as a whole has to offer are both essential for progress.  The WTO provides
a framework that helps to create economic predictability, which is essential for making a country
attractive to foreign investments.  Estonia is a prime example to convince skeptics that there is a directlink between liberalization and economic development.WT/MIN(01)/ST/135
Page 2
As we know, there are nearly 30 countries still in the process of accession to the WTO.
Estonia believes it is in the interests of all of us  that countries that fulfil the WTO commitments and
are willing to accede be allowed to do so as soon as possible.  Nevertheless, at this point, I would like
to recall the underlying principle in this regard - that nation policies not compatible with the principlesof the WTO, m ust be reform ed before becom ing a m em ber of the WTO.  Of particular interest for
Estonia is the Russian Federation's process of accession to the WTO.  I would like to stress that
Estonia welcomes Russia's strong dedication to economic reforms with the aim of achieving WTO
membership in the near future.  Estonia is eagerly looking forward to rapid progress in this accession,
and hopes to benefit from Russia's meaningful market liberalization commitments and the acceptance,
and equally important, implementation of the principles of the WTO.  I would also like to use this
opportunity to welcome China and Taiwan as the newest Members of our organization;  thisconstitutes a huge step towards the goals of the World Trade Organization.
The WTO, as an organization that has existed in its present form for a relatively short period,
offers us a useful forum essential for achieving fruitful cooperation between nations with different
cultural and historical backgrounds, irrespective of their level of development.  During its seven yearsof existence, the organization has played a major role in the field of liberalization and in clarifying
international trade rules and regulations, thus contributing to general economic growth and the
improvement of interstate relations.  The role of the WTO is now, after the atrocious terrorist attacks
of September, more important than ever before.  The development of the framework of the WTO is
actually a proving ground for the future as it clearly indicates to what extent global thinking withregard to trade and economy, is progressing, as well as to what extent nations are willing and able to
work  together for the achievement of our common goals.
We must always remember, that in international trade, there always exists the so-called
"bicycle syndrome":  the failure to move forward, creates the risk that the whole existing system, willtopple to the ground.
__________