WT/MIN(17)/10  
5 December 2017  
(17-6667) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: English  
 
COOPERATION FOR PROV IDING EMPLOYMENT FOR  DISPLACED SYRIANS   
 
COMMUNICATION FROM T URKEY  
The following communication, dated 4 December 2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Turkey.  
 
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1.1.  The conflict in Syria has created the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. The death toll has 
surpassed half million and half the country's pre -conflict population — more than 11 million people 
— have been forced to flee their homes and been displaced.  
1.2.  There are more than 3 million Syrians just in Turkey and more in other neighbouring  
countries. Countries that are hosting displaced Syrians have mobilized all their resources to bring 
sustainable solutions for the issues of migration and displaced persons in terms of humanitarian 
assistance to improve the living conditions of the people they host.  
1.3.  However, as the Syrian humanitarian crisis has clearly proved, refugee and migration issues 
require mutual responsibility sharing and international cooperation, especially taking into account 
the fact that the major host countries in this case a re developing countries. Keeping in mind that 
the normalization will take years in Syria, it is an absolute necessity to take urgent measures and 
to formulate selective policies that will have an enduring effect to increase the participation of 
Syrians to social and economic life in host countries.   
1.4.  This is essential both for the wellbeing of the displaced persons (and refugees) and economic, 
political and social stability of the host countries.   
1.5.  In this regard, believing that "trade" can be used as a mea ns for more equitable sharing of 
responsibility by the international community to alleviate the adverse impacts on the countries 
hosting especially significantly large number of refugees, we call on the international community to 
ease the financial, econom ic and social responsibility of the host countries.   
1.6.  The Annex includes a draft Ministerial Decision that declares the intention to cooperate for 
providing employment for Syrians in host countries. Turkey proposes that Members consider 
adopting this decis ion at MC11 as an important sign of international solidarity and cooperation in 
terms of coping with the side effects of this continuing important humanitarian crisis.  
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 WT/MIN(17)/10  
 
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  ANNEX  
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DE CISION  
Declaration of Intent Regarding Cooperation for Providing Employment for Displaced Syrians 
Ministerial Decision of XX December 2017  
 
The Ministerial Conference,  
 
Acknowledging  the humanitarian crisis created by the ongoing conflict in Syria;  
 
Recognizing  that the refugee and mi gration are issues that require responsibility sharing and 
international cooperation;  
 
Considering  that the normalization will take years in Syria;  
 
Desiring  to find sustainable solutions to improve the living conditions of displaced Syrians in host 
countr ies through selective policies that will have an enduring effect, aiming to increase the 
participation of displaced Syrians to social and economic life and to provide employment in host 
countries; and  
 
Accepting  that "trade" can be used as a means for more  equitable sharing of responsibility by the 
international community to allevi ate the overall adverse impact;  
 
Agrees:  
 
1. That the Syrian humanitarian crisis is an exceptional situation that justifies a call to engage in 
relevant consultations within the W TO.  
 
2. To explore ways that trade and the WTO can help in alleviating the adverse impact of this crisis.  
  
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