WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/ST/64
18May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-2056)
Original: English MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
VIET NAM
Statement byH.E. Mr.Truong Dinh Tuyen,
Minister ofTrade
(AsanObserver)
Itisagreat honour andpleasure formetorepresent VietNam atthisWTO Ministerial
Conference andtheCommemoration ofthe50thAnniversary ofthemultilateral trading system. Both
occasions aregreat events butofthesame signification since theymark thetremendous progress of
themultilateral trading system toward achieving itsobjectives.
AtthisConference, Ministers willreview theimplementation oftheWTO Agreements inthe
veryfirstyears ofexistence oftheWorld Trade Organization (WTO). Itisalsoforeseen thatMinisters,
atthethreshold ofthenewcentury, willapplaud thecontributions thatthesystem hasmade overa
half-century ofevolution. More importantly, Ministers willforge avision forthefuture ofinternational
trade andmapoutthefuture course oftheOrganization withaviewtoimproving thesystem tomeet
theexpectations oftheworld economy. Hence, thisoccasion willreiterate theindispensable roleof
theWTO intheworld economic andtrade system.
Over thelastdecades, noefforts havebeenspared toexpand andstrengthen themultilateral
trading system. Starting fromamoderate number of23founding contracting parties, theOrganization
nowcounts 132countries andcustoms territories asitsMembers while 31others haveapplied foror
innegotiation foraccession. TheOrganization hasalsoexpanded beyond thetraditional coverage of
trade ingoods toother areas andthusbrought under itsrulings constantly increasing volume of
international trade. Itsprime value laysinthefactthatthesystem has,proved successful ingiving
momentum toglobal andindividual Member growth andmaking contributions totheenhanced trade
relations among nations.
Looking beyond thefuture, Iamconfident thatthesystem willevolve further interms ofboth
scope andcoverage, andcontribute evenmore totheeconomic growth ofallcountries, including
countries which havenotyetbeenaccounted asaMember oftheOrganization. Inthissession, the
rightdecisions oftheMinisters willbemade withaviewtofostering afairer trading system andan
enhancing prosperity ofMembers.
Ifirmly believe thatthemultilateral trading system willmaintain itscommitment toachieve
theunderlying objectives andprinciples setfromitsearly days. Afairtrading system istheonethat
enables active participation andcontribution ofallMembers. Thepastseveral years havewitnessed
considerable efforts made bythedeveloping countries andleast-developed countries tocontribute to
thesystem. However, itisessential thatthedeveloped countries accord them differential andmore
favourable treatment inrespect ofobligations andcommitments, effective assistance through concrete
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measures improving market access conditions fortheirgoods, technical assistance forhuman capacity
building etc.,which areinlinewiththeirdevelopment needs.
Along withtheevolution oftheWTO, theapplications of31countries andcustoms territories
tojointheOrganization isanother signshowing itscredibility. Theaccession ofthese countries will
onlystrengthen theOrganization andprove itstrueuniversality.
Fully aware oftheprivacy ofthemultilateral trading system, VietNam isdoing itsutmost
efforts tocontribute totheWTO. Committing ourselves toadhere totheprinciples oftheOrganization,
VietNamisconsistently pursuing anopen-door forfurther integrating oureconomy withtheworld.
Wearealsointensifying thepreparation withaview toaccelerating theaccession process andalso
tofaithfully implementing ourcommitments subsequently.
Forthatpurpose, weseekcomprehensive support andunderstanding from theMembers of
theWTO tomake ourselves arespectful Member ofthisstrong, universal community andwehope
thatVietNam willbesubsequently bring inapositive contribution tothesystem.
Iwould liketoclose myremarks bycongratulating youMr.Chairman foryourexcellent
chairmanship. Iamconfident that,under yourleadership, thisoccasion willbemade asuccessful
andmemorable event.
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