. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/127
2 December 1999
(99-5308)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
LIECHTENSTEIN
Statement by H.E. Ms Andrea Willi ,
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In 1998, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the multilateral trading system.  The conclusion
of the WTO Agreement in 1994 was the answer to the challenges raised by the changes of the world
economy, not least thanks to the establishment of GATT in 1947.  The conclusion of theUruguay Round has without any doubt been particularly positive in achieving major improvements in
market access and in reaching more predictable rules.
We meet here in Seattle to decide on a collective commitment and framework as well as on a
work programme for a new trade round.  Many Members have expressed doubts about the necessityof having a new round.  In our view, there are obvious arguments for a new mandate and for a new
round.  In order to expand opportunities for international trade and growth for all partners, the WTO
rules have to be further strengthened and remaining obstacles to trade have to be removed.  Rapid
economic and technological changes demand for respective adaptations of the common rules.
The WTO stands for the rule of law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the application of
such basic principles as non-discrimination and transparency.  Generally, it is not contested that theWTO system has contributed to stable and continued economic growth and development.  While the
importance of international trade is recognized, debate has increased in recent years about the impact
of trade liberalization and globalization on employment, wealth distribution, development and
environment.  These concerns have to be taken serious and they have to be addressed.
The role of the WTO in assisting the poorest countries is crucial.  Trade liberalization has to
be to the benefit of all WTO Members.  All Members should be able to share the achievements of
global growth of trade, investment, employment, income and stability.  It must therefore be reassured
that further and future trade liberalization is of benefit to developing countries and accelerates their
successful integration into the multilateral trade system.  The WTO system has to contribute to
development in general and to sustainable development in particular.
Through pragmatism and flexibility, the WTO will certainly secure the advantages of the
open trading system for future generations as well.  However, the fruits of an open trading system can
only be fully enjoyed in a sound environment.  Therefore, in the new round attention shouldincreasingly be given to the implications of trade on the environment.
Not only in the preparation for this meeting, the issue of trade and social standards has been
discussed.  International cohesion, cooperation and integration require a vision embracing the values
on which our societies are based on.  In view of the increasing global economic interdependence, we
are urged to address this issue and to find the appropriate body to deal with it.WT/MIN(99)/ST/127
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The ongoing process of rapid globalization gives rise to fears in the public.  These fears are
sometimes intangible.  Hence, the Members of the WTO as well as the WTO Secretariat should make
every effort to explain to the public the advantages which a multilateral trading system can have when
facing the challenges of globalization and the information society.  Public awareness as well as
transparency of the WTO should become key words of our future work.
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