WT/MIN(22)/ST/56  
12 June 2022 
(22-4493) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR DIMITAR DANCHEV  
DEPUTY MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY  
BULGARIA  
Let me extend Bulgaria 's gratitude to the governments of Switzerland and of Kazakhstan for 
co-hosting the twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference and for their joint efforts to organize this 
important meeting at such unprecedented and difficult times. I would also like to congratulate the 
WTO Director General Dr. Ngozi and her devoted team for their tir eless work in preparing the 
conference.  
 
We are fully aware that the situation at MC12 is even more complex and challenging than in 
November last year, when the conference was postponed. On top of COVID -19 pandemic and its 
devastating effects on people, b usinesses and livelihoods across the globe, the incurred 
socio-economic crisis and the fragile economic recovery, we now face unparalleled antagonistic 
situation, which led to global food and energy crisis, shortage of deliveries and disruption of supply 
chains for essential goods, services and key raw materials. This makes our task and responsibility 
to conclude these negotiations even more pertinent and we have to master all our political will to 
reach a meaningful package on the most important issues.  
 
As a member of the European Union and a country having undergone significant economic 
transformation, Bulgaria shares the difficulties and challenges, experienced by the majority of the 
WTO membership. We are committed to strengthening the open and rules -based multilateral trading 
system with a reformed WTO at its core. We are ready to make a constructive contribution to the 
ongoing negotiations with the understanding that the WTO cannot afford another failure. The 
responsibility for achieving these goals is  on all Members in accordance with their needs and 
capacities.  
 
In order to maintain the credibility of the WTO and support its capacity to fulfil its mandate, it is 
important for us to achieve results in the following areas:  
 
• Firstly, the WTO response to  the pandemic, which includes the TRIPS waiver for patents for 
COVID -19 vaccines and, more importantly – the trade aspects, where the WTO should play 
a decisive role. We should focus our efforts to enhance transparency, to limit export 
restrictions and oth er protectionist measures, and to promote trade facilitation for 
medicines, various medical devices and equipment. Only thus we can preserve and ensure 
open and robust supply chains internationally, especially for vital goods which are 
indispensable in the  fight against the current and future pandemics.  
 
• Secondly, the reform of the WTO in its core functions, so that it can continue to deliver 
effectively on its objectives and tackle the challenges of the 21st century. For Bulgaria, as 
well as for many other s, the priority is to achieve a fully functioning and binding two -tier 
dispute settlement mechanism by the next Ministerial conference. We also need to 
commence our work of identifying viable solutions to modernize the organization 's rules and 
disciplines and of building a secure and predictable multilateral trading system. This will 
enable the WTO to respond more efficiently to the contemporary environment and global 
changes that affect us all.  
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  • Thirdly, agriculture. We should first and foremost address the challenges of food security 
and continue the agricultural reform process by drawing up a work program until the next 
Ministerial Conference. Access to food and refraining from export restrictio ns, including in 
relation to World Food Programme humanitarian purchases, stand high in the list of priorities 
for Bulgaria. We also need to improve transparency in its various dimensions.  
 
• Fourthly, the outcome of the fisheries subsidies negotiations sho uld contribute substantively 
to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through a commitment to 
promote sustainable and environmentally -friendly fishing and for conservation of the oceans 
and global fish stocks, this agreement will demonstrat e the WTO 's ability to deliver on the 
most pressing issues of our time, while achieving economic and social benefits for the next 
generations.  
 
Last but not least, the WTO should continue with its practice of non -imposing customs duties on 
electronic trans missions. This moratorium ensures the stability and predictability for businesses and 
consumers involved in the e -commerce.  
 
We also have to recognize that the plurilateral initiatives are a marker of the vitality of the WTO as 
they respond to the demands of modern economic environment. We are ready to work towards their 
advancement and expect more members to join us.  
 
Bulgaria highly values the efforts and the achievements of the WTO as the central pillar of the 
multilateral trading system and an engaged promoter of openness, competitiveness and 
transparency. This makes the WTO even more important at times of health crisis, climate change 
and the need for a fair and more equitable economic environment. Together with the European 
Commission and the other EU  Member States we will spare no effort to ensure a successful outcome 
of this Ministerial Conference that will reaffirm WTO 's relevance in today 's challenging times.  
 
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