WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/46
11 September 2003
(03-4811)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth Session
Cancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  English
NETHERLANDS
Statement by H.E. Mr Laurens Jan Brinkhorst,
Minister of Economic Affairs
Beyond mercantilism;  paving the way for the future
The clock is ticking;  both for this speech and for the negotiations to make this Conference a
success.  So many important issues on the agenda and so little time to deal with them.  In order for
this Conference to become the basis for a successful Doha Development Agenda, obviously we will
have to focus on those issues that are most urgent.
Nevertheless, I should like to take you beyond these pressing issues and sketch the horizons
of our work.  Three broad themes underlie our work here.  Themes define the long-term, perspective
of our work.  The three themes are:
• The commitment to a multilateral and ri ghts-based process of international
cooperation;
• the acknowledgement of our duty to make trade contribute to development and
sustainability and to take into account the contributions the different players can
make, and;
• to live up to our many other commitments through integrating non-trade concerns,
including the environment, and other important policy areas.
Trade is not an objective in itself.  Trade needs to play its role in creating prosperity as a
precondition, in combating poverty, all over the world.  It serves the promotion of well-balancedeconomic growth as a basis for sustainable development.  The WTO is the vehicle and the Doha
Development Agenda is the map ahead. We should be the drivers, at the same time taking into
account the others participating in traffic.
The contribution of trade to development is the key issue.  The objectives are set out in the
Millenium Development Goals and in the programme set out at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development.  Our objectives are simple, but de manding:  to strengthen the multilateral trading
system, to further integrate developing countries, and to continue the process of further trade
liberalization, which is in the interests of all.  Let me try and address the broader and the longer
perspective.
We are in the process that started with the Havana Charter, some 56 years ago.  In Marrakesh
we made a leap forward.  Now it is time to prepare the WTO and ourselves for dealing with the
challenges of the future.  The multilateral trade system will have to be able to cope with the rapid
developments we are witnessing at present.  Preparing for the future starts now.  FirstWT/MIN(03)/ST/46
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milestone:  31 December next year.  But that cannot be but the first stage of a longer process.  The
importance for a successful Conference here in Cancún can in my view be described as " paving the
way".
The World Trade Organization is one of the most modern and successful international
organizations of today.
• Its basis is the combination of transparency, non-discrimination and rule of law;
• its means are consensus-building, dispute-settlement on an equitable basis and help to
those most in need;
• its objective is creating sustainable economic development.
But we need other instruments as well.  In that spirit, I salute the initiative of the World Bank
and the IMF to further integration of developing countries in the trade system through:
• Special-adjustment programmes aimed at preparing developing countries for further
sustained trade liberalization through;
• help in addressing the temporary possible negative side-effects, inter alia  loss of tariff
revenue and preference erosion;
• by fostering economic diversity, creating a social safety net and ensuring government
revenue.
Donor countries should be prepared to invest as well in preparing the future.  I am glad to be
able to announce a further grant of 700,000 euros for technical assistance under the Doha Trust Fundof the WTO on behalf of my Government.
Success in Cancún should equally enhance multilateral cooperation in general, thus
contributing to geopolitical stability.  The international agenda has been dominated by feelings of
instability and insecurity since exactly two years.  The temptation exists to act on a unilateral basisbecause of the urgent matters at hand.  The multilateral approach is sometimes cumbersome and
seemingly ineffective.  Yet, in the long run it is the only path.  We need undiminished, no enhanced,
joint efforts to find solutions.  Leadership is what is requested from all of us.
I should like to address the need for solidarity, the only guarantee for a brighter future.
Solidarity is not one dimensional.  I will name just three areas where it occurs:
• Solidarity of developed countries with developing countries , inter alia  through
effective and real market access for developing countries to markets of developedcountries.
• Solidarity between developing countries .  Large gains for developing countries are to
be made in opening their markets to each ot her.  This should be a further impetus to
the so-called south-south trade.
• Solidarity also means acknowledging that the mere distinction between developed
countries and developing countries is an oversimplification of a broader scope.
Different levels of economic development have led to different needs for individual
developing countries .WT/MIN(03)/ST/46
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The last issue for me to highlight:  trade cannot be isolated from other international policy
areas.  Therefore, we need to address a broad agenda, in two senses:
Firstly by including issues like all four Singapore Issues.  Intracompany trade is rapidly
growing, thus creating the necessity for clear investment rules, but also rules on competition.
Secondly, by enhancing cooperation, with organizations active in other policy areas.
Amongst these issues to be addressed are concerns on the environment and, especially within the
negotiations on agriculture, what we have come to label "non-trade concerns".
We cannot and should not walk away from these issues.  They are of real concern to people,
and therefore to governments.  We cannot escape the need to create the links between trade and otherpolicy areas.
The Doha Development Agenda has set the agenda for the future.  Details need to be
hammered out on all issues at stake;  this week and before 1 January 2005.  Let us commit ourselves
to do so.
Recognition of the fact that the issues on the present agenda are all relevant for the future
structure of the multilateral trading system should pave the way for the future.  Not mercantilism but a
well balanced rules-based system should be our guide.
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