WT/MIN(22)/ST/86  
12 June 2022 
(22-4523) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR IOANNIS SMYRLIS  
SECRETARY GENERAL FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AFFAIRS,  
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS  
GREECE 
On behalf of Greece, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Director 
General Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, as well as to the Delegation of Kazakhstan (as co -host) and of 
course to the WTO Secretariat for their devotion and countless efforts to hold the 12th Ministerial 
Conference, after a particularly difficult period of almost two years, d ue to the Covid-19 pandemic.  
 
In the context of the current Ministerial Conference, we will have the opportunity to discuss and 
decide on the future of the global trading system and the unique role that the WTO can and should 
play, in order to ensure that trade will continue to flow as smoothly, predictably and freely as 
possible.  
 
Being a forum for international trade negotiations, the World Trade Organization guarantees a 
rules-based world trading system.  
 
As an EU Member -State, Greece stresses the impor tance of keeping the world’s trading system fair, 
predictable and based on common rules. A well -functioning WTO is of major importance for the 
achievement of this objective.  
 
In consideration of this, it is indispensable for all member states to abide by the common WTO rules. 
This conviction is largely based on the undisputed belief that having a multilateral trading system 
based on fair rules serves the interests of all Member States. It is through the WTO that sovereign 
nations seek to find ways to coope rate with each other for mutual economic benefit. WTO is a forum 
in which the rules are set and where specific trade concerns can be raised by all members. At the 
same time, we can all admit that for developing countries, WTO is an indispensable tool for a chieving 
their development goals. For the most vulnerable and conflict -affected countries, membership in this 
system is about maintaining peace, whilst synchronously improving the living conditions of their 
people.  
 
Therefore, we believe that all efforts s hould focus on overcoming deadlocks while ensuring an 
effective and adequate dispute settlement mechanism, able to respond to current challenges .  
 
What we have achieved so far in the framework of our trading system is of great value but it is still 
not enough.  
 
In order to be able to address modern global challenges, such as the war in Ukraine, the 
pandemic, climate change, rising protectionism and uneven distribution of wealth and 
income, it is of utmost importance that the WTO becomes more flexible and open.  
 
The pandemic has highlighted in the most explicit way that we have to work together in a productive 
manner with the aim to keep international  markets open. Therefore , an effective dispute settlement 
mechanism is integral for ensuring a strong and sustainable recovery. Such a recovery should be 
greener and based on fair rules for our economies and societies.  
 WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 86 
 
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  At this point I would like to reite rate the European Union’s position on major issues under discussion 
and underline the need for a forward -looking WTO reform. Despite the impasse in trade negotiations, 
we have to find ways to modernize WTO rules.  
 
We, as the European Union, have done our h omework and have reviewed our major policies based 
on multilateral and fair trade disciplines. In consideration of this, we strongly believe that we need 
to put these valuable ideas we have into action, in order to ensure that the WTO maintains its 
strengt h and rigor. Apparently, solutions to challenges of such unprecedented magnitude can only 
be global.  
 
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, we have faced some new challenges such as sharp 
rises in commodity prices and supply disruptions for essential goods including food, energy and 
fertilizers. However, it is our duty to ensure that food is shelved at affordable prices, 
impacts on trade flows are minimized and there are no trade distortions. Whilst 
simultaneously guaranteeing a high level of transpare ncy. 
 
We certainly advocate the right to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and we call 
for an end to this conflict as soon as possible, for the benefit of all people for both sides.  
 
Having said that, we believe that MC12 should be a turning point for WTO and its 
member -states for achieving meaningful multilateral outcomes, such as:  
 
• a ministerial declaration on the WTO’s response to  global trade challenges  with 
special reference to the reform of the organization, the dispute settlemen t mechanism, 
the development goals and the need to protect the environment  
• a declaration on the WTO’s response to the  pandemic  and a decision on the waiver of 
trade -related aspects of intellectual property rights ( TRIPS ) 
• decisions in support of  food security , along with work programs aimed at moving 
forward to the 13th ministerial conference on agricultural reform  
• the conclusion of the  fisheries subsidies  negotiations  
• the extension of the  moratorium  on e-commerce  until the 13th Ministerial Conference.  
 
The above -mentioned deliverables constitute the basic minimum outcomes to be realistically 
expected, if we want to claim that the WTO is still strong, effective and able to ensure that world 
trade and global growth will be achieved through transparent pr ocedures.  
 
In light of the current events taking place in the world trade arena it is fundamental that 
we do not simply remain reactive but become proactive by putting our words into actions 
and demonstrating the necessary willingness and credibility for t he Organization and 
mainly for the future of our economies and the welfare of our people . 
 
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