WT/MIN(15)/ST/124  
27 January 2016  
(16-0558)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR VLAD VASILIU 
STATE SECRETARY 
ROMANIA  
I would like - first of all - to thank and also congratulate Kenyan authorities for the excellent 
organization of the10thWTO Ministerial Conference (MC10), as well as for their generosity and hospitality.  
The current trade and economic situation is on the recovery path and we hope that the outcome of 
our work, here in Nairobi, will bring a new impetus to the international trade and to the economic growth of the world. 
 
Romania (as a European Union Member) is fully committed to contribute to the success of MC10 with the aim to achieve balanced, meaningful and tangible results. 
 
We believe in the central role of the multilateral  trading system as a predictable and transparent 
framework for the fight against protectionism and an efficient way to address present and future 
global challenges. 
 
The development is a central issue in these negotiations and EU has been engaged constructively towards a comprehensive outcome, in particular for LDCs (Least Developed Countries) on 
pharmaceutical products, services waiver and possibl e solution for the preferential rules of origin. 
 Where better to address these issues than at the first ever Ministerial Conference held in an 
African country, and when better than now at the WTOs 20th anniversary. 
 Export competition for trade with agricultural products should include all forms of support, i.e. export subsidies, export credits, agricultural ex porting State Trade Enterprises and food aid, for 
the benefit of most WTO Members, mainly developing and least-developed countries. 
 The conclusion of revised Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and significant progress in the 
Environmental Goods Agreements (EGA) should boost international trade and provide strong 
benefits in terms of growth and jobs and should constitute a relevant platform for pursuing further plurilateral formats anchored within the WTO system.  
 
While addressing the issues herewith, for a post-Nairobi outlook we need to prioritize WTO efforts aimed at the remaining unaddressed DDA issues, paying special attention to those which can be most effectively addressed multilaterally and to consider the addition of new issues in the WTO 
negotiating agenda, taking into account today’s economic realities.  
 The impact of the globalization process and the accelerated technology progress (i.e. the digital 
economy), reflected by the strengthening of global value chains, require an increasing need to 
broach new areas and disciplines whose weight in international trade is becoming more prevalent.  
We have a great opportunity in front of us. We ca ll on members to make al l reasonable efforts to 
restore and foster the trust and confiden ce in the multilateral trading system. 
 We believe that the European Union has shown itself as are liable partner, in the development and 
meaningful integration of LDCs in the global economy.  WT/MIN(15)/ST/124 
 
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  Romania is fully committed to a strong rule-based multilateral trading system and we support its 
further strengthening in response to current and future trade challenges.   Last but not least, we congratulate Kazakhstan on their status as a new WTO Member and we 
warmly welcome the Republic of Liberia and the Is lamic Republic of Afghanistan for their accession 
to the WTO. We look forward to the further accessi on of other countries from the Western Balkans, 
the Mediterranean and the Caucasus region. 
 
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