. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/35 
15 December 2005 
 (05-6010) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
SLOVAK REPUBLIC 
 
Statement by HE Mrs Eva Simkova
 
State Secretary, Ministry of Economy  
  
 On behalf of the delegation of the Slovak Re public I would like to thank the Government of 
Hong Kong, China for its hospitality and the excelle nt arrangements for the Sixth WTO Ministerial 
Conference. 
  We are convinced that this Conference is an important milestone to complete the whole Doha 
Round until the end of the year 2006.  The focus of this Round is to strengthen the multilateral trading 
rules and to promote further trade liberalization.   These aims are very important not only for the 
multilateral trading system but also for the future  economic growth and deve lopment of all countries 
around the world.  The scope of the negotiations is very broad and ensures for all WTO Members 
benefits from this Round.   We are convinced that transparent, predicta ble and open trading environment is a key for 
economic prosperity and sustainable development.  Therefore, results of the negotiations are focused 
on further improvement of the market access in good s and services, enhancement and strengthening of 
trade rules as well as other trade-related issues.  These negotiations should help to narrow differences 
still existing among the trade policy regimes of the WTO Members.   Therefore, the Slovak Republic supports the multilateral negotiations under the Doha 
Development Agenda from the very beginning.  Afte r joining the European Union in 2004 our trade 
regime still remains open. 
  We acknowledge that there are many important issues under the DDA negotiations like agriculture, NAMA, services, trade facilitation, rules and development, but I would like to focus my 
statement only on the most important issues. 
 
 Allow me to emphasize that the development dimension plays the crucial role in the negotiations.  In this regard I would like to highlight the importance of duty- and quota-free market 
access for all products originating in the least develope d countries.  We firmly believe that this crucial 
issue among others for those countries will be solved. 
 
 In the area of agriculture, th e balance within the pillars as well as among the pillars should be 
maintained.  We are convinced that the adequa te reduction of trade distortive domestic supports 
should be established and that the non-trade distor tive Green Box measures should be enhanced.  We 
also support the parallel elimination of all forms of export subsidies and substantial reduction of 
tariffs leading to fair multilateral trade among whole membership. 
 
 The results from negotiations in the area of  non-agricultural market access should create the 
real market access opportunities for developed, deve loping and least developed Members, as well.  In WT/MIN(05)/ST/35 
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 this regard I would like to highlight that such r esults may be achieved by using the single Swiss type 
formula, taking into account flexibilities for deve loping countries.  The issue of unbound tariffs 
should be also addressed.   Services are the area with huge growth potential.  Further liberalization may bring benefits to 
all.  For us, services sector creates major share in our economy and contributed substantially in our 
reform process.  Therefore, we give special attention to ambitious results in this area. 
  Trade facilitation should be considered as an integral part of overall liberalization and 
improvements in technical aspects and efficiency in  commercial transactions.  Specifically developing 
countries may benefit from unified and simplified re gimes covered by trade facilitation.  Technical 
assistance and capacity-building should be a fundamental element of final agreement.   In conclusion, on behalf of the Slovak dele gation I would like to express our readiness to 
contribute constructively for achievement of the ove rall balanced package.  We are convinced, that 
the positive spirit will prevail during the Conference and it will bring satisfactory results for all WTO 
Members.  
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