. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/99 
2 December 2009 
 (09-6278) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
PALESTINE 
 
H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Khraishi
 
Ambassador of Permanent Mission of Palestine to the UN  
(Speaking as an Observer ) 
   I have the honour to make a statement on beha lf of the Minister of National Economy of 
Palestine who unfortunately had to leave Gene va before the closing of the Conference. 
  I start by extending our sincere greetings to all distinguished delegates, and to express our deep gratitude to all Members for supporting Pales tine's participation as observer in the Ministerial 
Conference.    
 Palestine, despite all existing challenges, is sp aring no effort to become a full member of the 
international community.  It comes as no surprise to  you if I say that normal, reliable and predictable 
trade relations are a key ingredient of a normal ec onomy. But for Palestine to enjoy true normalization 
an end to the prolonged occupation must be realized a nd the state of Palestine, living side by side in 
peace and security with Israel and othe r neighbours, must be established.   
 
 Palestine is committed to the principles of an open economy and to the rule of law in foreign 
trade relations, and in orienting ec onomic regulation accordingly.  In line with this, we have submitted 
our request for observer ship in the General Co uncil as a first step towards accession to this 
organization.  Observer status would give us the opportunity to integrate into the multilateral trading 
system, as well as guide the evolution of our foreign trade system within transparent, accountable and 
predictable rules. We hope that our case for observe r status is self evident and will soon be endorsed 
universally.   We have a long way ahead in understanding and adopting the principles and disciplines of this rich and complex system.  At the same time  I should note that, through our economic and trade 
agreements with Israel, we have been living with rules and agreements that integrate elements of 
WTO law for a long while.  Palestine already is an open business economy, with significant potentials 
rooted in our highly educated workforce and our i nnovative spirit.  We already have a good deal of 
modernization and reform behind us, with functioning autonomous Customs, trade and monetary 
institutions.  Further steps, including transparent regulation of services, a new Customs Law and other 
economic legislation, are under way.     
  We believe that progressive integration into th e WTO system will assist Palestine in building 
capacities and know how in the field of trade regula tion and policy.  It will provide a framework for 
rebuilding weakened and fragmented economy. It will send a powerful message to the Palestinian 
private sector as well as their business partners  abroad. Finally it will reassure all our current and 
prospective trading partners of our determ ination to achieve prosperity and peace. WT/MIN(09)/ST/99 
Page 2  
 
   We recognize – and know from experience – that  trade barriers are a major obstacle to a 
society under development.  We are currently wo rking hard with all our partners, bilaterally, 
regionally and internationally, to re move illegal barriers to Palestinian trade.  For us, WTO rules and 
disciplines are first and foremost an opportunity, an incentive, an inspiration.  We are willing to take 
on the obligations they represent, and we are looking forward to enjoying the rights they entail.  A 
free, developing, peaceful and open Palestine, integrat ed into the international trading system, is our 
objective.  Thank you again for supporting us on our way towards its realization. 
  
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