WT/MIN(13)/ST/109  
10 February 2014  
(14-0790)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Ninth Session 
Bali, 3-6 December 2013  Original: Spanish  
 
  STATEMENT BY H.E. MR MARIO HERNANDEZ 
VICE-MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY 
EL SALVADOR  
It is a pleasure for El Salvador to meet with you all again at this Ministerial Conference, 
one of such importance for our Organization. We wish to express our special appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Indonesia for its hospitality.  
As we all know, the Doha Agenda negotiations are at a critical stage and have been ever since 
our last meeting. A political decision on our part is fundamental for guiding the future work of the WTO. 
 
El Salvador considers the Bali Package, as presented to us in its current state at this Ministerial Conference, to be proof of the commitment we have all made to the multilateral trading system, 
and view it as the result of the efforts and constructive actions of all Members. We must, however, 
remain frank and pragmatic, and acknowledge that we still require political will on the part of all Members and the leadership of the main players to conclude these negotiations. We agree with the Director-General that nothing presented to us in this package is unmanageable. 
 
El Salvador is firmly committed to ensuring that this Ministerial meeting builds on the progress made up until now in our negotiations in Geneva in the areas of agriculture, trade facilitation and 
development. On this basis, we will continue to work on other outstanding issues, including those 
which have moved forward through temporary mechanisms but which require a permanent solution. We hope that this will constitute a decisive step towards the conclusion of the Doha 
Development Agenda. 
 Regarding the regular work of the WTO, which we consider of the utmost importance, we are pleased to note the work carried out within the framework of the Small Economies Programme, 
including in respect of non-tariff measures. We reaffirm our commitment to the continuation of this 
Work Programme, with a view to promoting the proper integration of these Members into world trade. 
 
In recent years we have faced significant global economic challenges. It should be noted that WTO rules and monitoring mechanisms have made it possible to stem the protectionist tendencies that 
develop in such circumstances. Members must therefore continue to promote and enhance the 
important work carried out by the WTO in this respect.  As regards the future work of this Organization, I believe that together we must identify concrete 
actions that will enable us to strengthen the multilateral trading system, as this system forms the 
backbone of the trade policy of every WTO Member . This can be achieved by strengthening the 
important role played by the WTO in administ ering existing agreements and safeguarding 
multilateralism and free trade, as well as by obta ining concrete results in the negotiating pillar 
and concluding the Doha Round.  WT/MIN(13)/ST/109 
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  I cannot miss this opportunity to thank the Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, for his efforts, 
dedication and commitment, and for his inclusive and transparent process which we hope will continue in the future.  
Last but not least, we warmly welcome Yemen to the WTO. 
 
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