. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/40
11 September 2003
(03-4806)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth SessionCancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  English
GREECE
Statement by H.E. Dr Georgios Zanias
Secretary General, Ministry of Economy and Finance
Let me first express my warm thanks to the people and the Government of Mexico for the
warm hospitality and the excellent organization of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World
Trade Organization.
Special thanks are also due to the Secretariat of the WTO, its Director-General and the
Chairman of the General Council for their efforts towards a successful outcome of this Conference
and of the whole Round.
We strongly believe that the success of this Ministerial Conference is an important milestone
towards the liberalization of international trade.  It constitutes a great opportunity to reconfirm ourpolitical will to work together to strengthen the mu ltilateral trade system with a view to promoting
sustainable development and growth.  It is thus important that, at this juncture, the WTO "family"
increases with the addition of Nepal and Cambodia.
Regarding the substance of the negotiations, we should all keep in mind that this is a
development round.  Addressing the developing countries' concerns, requires an integrated approach
within which trade is a very important component.  For this reason, we welcome the Agreement onTRIPS and Public Health that was recently achieved.  We consider this as an important humanitarian
aspect of the WTO system.  We also believe that we should make an effort to meet in a satisfactory
manner the other concerns of developing countries regarding technical assistance and Special and
Differentiated Treatment.
Agriculture is a key sector in these negotiations. The recent EU decision on the reform of the
Common Agricultural Policy constitutes an important contribution to the WTO negotiations, while the
joint EU/US proposal provides a realistic basis for a framework agreement with a view to establishing
comprehensive modalities for further commitments in agriculture.  Within this framework, we should
acknowledge and secure the multifunctional character of agriculture.  In this regard it is imperative toretain the appropriate level of flexibility and the instruments, among which the domestic support plays
a key role, to address these concerns.
Another very important issue which addresses consumer concerns and sustainable
development in rural areas, recognized also by developing countries, is the protection of GeographicalIndications (GIs). We fully support the extension of strong protection for all products, the
establishment of an effective and legally binding multilateral system for wines and spirits and the
protection of currently abused geographical indications.  Regrettably, negotiations on these aspects
are very much lacking behind.  It is time now to dispel any ambiguity and to give clear negotiating
mandate and guidance on these issues.WT/MIN(03)/ST/40
Page 2
Regarding the other sectors, we welcome the progress made in the negotiations on services
and we hope that more offers will come on the table.
Concerning non-agricultural market access, we favour the Chairman's proposal but we believe
that there is a scope for further improvement.  Contribution by all WTO Members is necessary to
facilitate the South-South trade.  Nevertheless, market opening is not sufficient by itself and requires
to be accompanied by the establishment of new rules.  In this respect, we favour negotiations on all
four Singapore Issues.
Mutual understanding is a key element towards the success of our negotiations.
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