WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/81 
15 December 2005 
 (05-6063) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 
 
Statement by HE Mr Fatmir Besimi
 
Minister of Economy  
  
On my behalf and on behalf of the Governme nt of the Republic of Macedonia, please, allow 
me to greet all present on this important Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization. 
The Republic of Macedonia became a full Me mber of the World Trade Organization in 
 April 2003, which was preceded by a period of in tensive harmonization of the national legislation 
with the disciplines and principles of the WTO.  Implementation of the undertaken commitments 
arising from the WTO membership was not a simple task  at all, but the results will be felt in the long 
run:  greater transparency and predictability of trad e, increase of direct fore ign investments, increased 
competitiveness of goods and services, and MFN (Most Favored Nation) treatment of M acedonian 
exports.  Also conditions have been created for unhamp ered and liberalized trade.  In addition to the 
commitments, the Republic of Macedonia acquired the right to actively participate in the world trade 
system and to use the benefits from th e membership in this Organization. 
As a relatively new Member to the WTO, the Republic of Macedonia expresses its full 
dedication to the activities for improving the mu ltilateral trading system and preparedness to 
contribute in the entire process with in the frames of its capabilities. 
The Republic of Macedonia supports the efforts of Member countries for acceleration of the 
negotiating process and successful conclusion of negotia tions within the projected term.  The efforts 
of Member countries are the driving force for the countries from the region to give their contribution in finding solutions that will be of interest for all WTO Member countries, including the recently 
acceded ones.  The latter have already undertaken numerous commitments for market access in the 
course of the accession and are still in process of implementation.  Nevertheless, the opportunity for 
applying special provisions for flexibility in undert aking commitments as a result of trade negotiations 
of these countries is a proof more of the efforts for full integration in the world economy of all countries regardless of the level of their development and size. 
The objectives of DDA are clear:  achieving furt her strengthening and li beralization of the 
multilateral trading system, sustaining the processes of  reforms and liberalization of trade policy and 
establishing a system that will ensure the develo pment and support for greater participation of 
developing countries.  Here, the role of each country  and its active participation in this established 
Round of multilateral trade negotiations is crucial. 
With the positive attitude towards the foreign tr ade flows and participation in creating better 
rules for regulation of the multilateral trading system, the Republic of Macedonia becomes an 
active member in the global economy.  The Government of the Re public of Macedonia has achieved 
a significant success in liberalizing trade by concluding free trade agreements and by acceding to the World Trade Organization, which means contribution in improving the international cooperation. WT/MIN(05)/ST/81 
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 The status of the Republic of Macedonia conditions the positions of my Government upon 
certain open issues initiated in the Doha Ministerial Declaration and the July package, which will be 
addressed in the final document that will result from this Conference. 
As an agricultural country, with tradition fo r employment in the agricultural sector, the 
agriculture in Macedonia plays an important role in the economy in general and can contribute to the 
economic growth, employment, protection of na tural resources and regional development.  
In the course of the negotiations for accessi on to the WTO, the Republic of Macedonia has 
already committed to a very low level of domestic suppor t.  Therefore, our attitude is that in the near 
future, the Macedonian agriculture will not be ab le to handle the further reduction of amounts of 
allowed support. 
The Republic of Macedonia waived the right to provide direct export subsidies for 
agricultural products.  This fact has impact on th e competitiveness of our products compared to the 
subsidized ones.  Therefore, the Republic of Mace donia, in principle, supports the position for full and 
fast elimination of all export subsidies. 
As a country that has recently acceded and made many concessions in the course of the 
accession, we will not be able to implement the further measures for market access in an equal 
manner as the countries that became Members much earlier.  We also support the initiative for determination of a group of sensitive products, which is to ensure keeping the customs protection for 
this type of products on the current level. 
Concerning the market access for agricultur al and industrial products, the Republic of 
Macedonia supports the proposal for special treatm ent of Members that have relatively recently 
acceded to the WTO and for postponing the new commitments for liberalization upon the 
implementation of already taken commitments. 
The Republic of Macedonia greets the progress ach ieved in the negotiations in the services 
sector.  The Government of the Republic of Mace donia believes that the future and prosperity of 
developed and developing countries, including ours, can be based on this sector.  During the 
negotiations for membership, our country undertook  many commitments in the services sector, which 
cover not only a large number of sub-sectors, but also create a very liberalized regime regarding the market access. 
I would like to emphasize once again that the su ccessful conclusion of the negotiations is of 
vital importance for the global economic developmen t, where it is a challenge for each country to 
make contribution on its own.  In the overall process of globalizing the world economy and the 
intensive trade liberalization, small countries a nd developing countries f ace many difficulties.  
Hence, the regional integration, and furthermore, the integration in the world economy is the only way that will enable their inclus ion in the world flows and provide better access to the international 
market. 
International trade based on rule s has no alternative and therefore we shou ld work together 
on further strengthening and improving WTO rules for liberalization, predicability and 
transparency. 
Please allow me on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia to sincerely 
congratulate you on the excellent organization of the Sixth Ministerial Conference here in Hong 
Kong. 
I would like to use this opportunity to once agai n reiterate the intention of the Government of 
the Republic of Macedonia to be a part of the mul tilateral trading system, as it sees its future and  WT/MIN(05)/ST/81 
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 protection of its individual interests through this well established legal system provided by the WTO 
and through further multilateral trade negotiations. 
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