WT/MIN(17)/ST/61  
 
15 December 2017  
(17-6993) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS  ZORICA MARIĆ -DJORDJEVIĆ  
AMBASSADOR, PERMANEN T REPRESENTATIVE  TO THE WTO  
MONTENEGRO  
On Behalf of Montenegro, I would first like to extend my Government’s deep appreciation to 
Argentina and its people for the warm hospitality. Montenegro commends Chairperson Susana 
Malcorra for demonstrated accomplishments in successful organization of the  WTO XI Ministerial 
Conference, first ever to be held in the Latin American region. In addition, Montenegro welcomes 
the accessions by Afghanistan and Liberia in 2016 and remains committed to supporting further 
expanding the Organization’s membership.   My Government reaffirms the principles and objectives 
set out in the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO. We underline the role that trade can 
play in the promotion of sustainable development and alleviation of poverty as envisaged in the 
United Nations'  2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We recall the successful WTO 
Ministerial Conference in Bali 2013 and Nairobi in 2015 and welcome the ongoing efforts to fully 
implement Decisions taken by our ministers.   
  
Montenegro, itself a rece ntly acceded WTO  Member, fulfil s its membership commitments and 
obligations with great seriousness and dedication. We have ratified the TFA in 2016 and the 
Protocol Amending the Agreement on TRIPs /Trade -related Aspects of Intellectual Property rights/. 
Montenegro was amo ng the first members to ratify and submit modifications of the schedule 
necessary to implement the tariff elimination measures contained in the Expanded ITA 
Declaration.  For a small country like Montenegro, which relies on an open trading system, these 
agreements are an important engine for economic growth. In addition,  Montenegro has maintained 
economic success, being one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. We have experienced 
the increase in trade and have further deepened our trade relations with  the European Union and 
regional partners.  
  
Technical assistance provided by the WTO Secretariat (ITTC and its donor partners)  has been 
crucial in supporting Montenegro in its efforts to contribute to this organization as an active and 
effective WTO Membe r. This has helped to improve Montenegro’s compliance with notification 
obligations  and to foster the capacity of our Administration to engage in the work of regular bodies 
of the WTO.  Montenegro is looking forward to its First Trade Policy review in April  2018 and 
a constructive  dialogue with all member states.   
  
As the international trading environment continues to evolve Montenegro remains actively 
engaged in the work that advances ef fective functioning of the WTO. In this regard, we note with 
concern t he lack of progress in our negotiations since the last Ministerial.  Montenegro is open to 
new ideas and fresh approaches that are relevant and responsive to the needs of all Members of 
the Organization aiming towards pragmatic outcomes. This includes new t hematic issues: digital 
economy and e -commerce, MSMEs, investment facilitation for development and more robust 
economic empowerment of women.    
  
Before closing, I reaffirm Montenegro’s commitment to contribute constructively to the full success 
of the MC XI in Buenos Aires and express our confidence in MC Chair Susana Malcorra and the 
WTO Director -General Roberto Azevedo. We call on all Members to safeguard the integrity of the 
open, rules -based multilateral system embodied in the WTO.  
 
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