. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/65 
17 December 2011  
 
(11-6628) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   French 
 
  
TUNISIA 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr Mehdi Houas 
Minister of Trade and Tourism 
   On behalf of the Tunisian delegation I would like to join the heads of delegation that spoke 
before me in expressing our heartfelt thanks to th e Swiss authorities for hosting this Eighth Ministerial 
Conference, and for their warm welcome and the hosp itality they have shown us since our arrival in 
Geneva.  My thanks also go to the WTO Secretaria t for its efforts throughout the preparatory stage. 
  This Conference should provide the multilateral tr ading system with a new impetus so that all 
of us - peoples and economic operators alike - can proceed with renewed confidence. 
 
 For several years now, the world economy h as experienced a succession of serious economic 
crises which have favoured the resurgence of neo- protectionist tendencies.  We hope that this 
Conference will be able to help contribute to solv ing these successive crises and to putting an end to 
this protectionist trend.  
 The solution will inevitably depend  on the opening up of markets.  Unless we act accordingly, 
world economic growth and development could very well suffer.  It is in the interest of all trading 
nations to react, to act sensibly.  I am convinced that we all stand to benefit. 
  Despite all criticism, the WTO is the appropria te framework in which all countries can make 
their voice heard and can take part in the developm ent of the rules which bind them at the multilateral 
level.  The WTO is not merely a body of rules:  it  is the forum in which the future of international 
trade relations is forged.   As a founding Member of the WTO Tunisia,  an open country a nd firm believer in 
solidarity-based partnership, remains a steadfast partner in this Organization, committed to the 
creation of a fair, balanced and inclusive intern ational economic order conducive to growth and 
development.   My country is entering a new phase in its history.   It managed to rid itself of dictatorship, very 
rapidly - and irreversibly - transforming itself into a free, democratic country committed to 
international legality and doing its utmost to live up to the aspirations of its people, particularly as 
regards employment and reducing the economic and social disparities between its different regions. 
  Although Tunisia must rely on its own means, it also needs the active support of the international community, and the trading system can provide effective support.  WT/MIN(11)/ST/65 
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   We believe that this Conference should be able to respond to the growing economic and 
social concerns of peoples across the world and to  the main trade issues currently under discussion, 
while at the same time placing development at  the centre of the WTO's aims and activities. 
  Consequently, there is an urgent need fo r stronger cooperation among Member countries to 
ensure the preservation of the trading system and the potential that it offers in terms of growth, 
creation of wealth and development.   We also believe - without false modesty - that  the Tunisian model of democratic transition 
illustrates the importance of uniting around what  we have in common and overcoming our 
differences. 
  In the new global environment, countries that are small from a geographical point of view but 
produce great peoples and great ideas can fu el the revival of the Doha Round. 
 
 Before concluding, let me congratulate Russi a, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Montenegro on their 
accession to the WTO - yet further proof that our Organization must be universal.  We call upon the different partners to work towards facilitating th e accession of our friends and brother countries so 
that they can enjoy the benefits of the multilateral trading system.   
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