. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/121 
16 December 2011  
 
(11-6873) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
POLAND 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr. Waldemar Pawlak 
Deputy Prime Minister 
Minister of Economy 
 
 
Since the 7th Ministerial Conference we all have b een working hard to conclude the DDA 
negotiations.  However, today we re turn to Geneva with a feeling of  disappointment.  Because despite 
our strong commitment and a comprehensive nego tiation process, we cannot close the Doha Round 
and benefit from its results.  Our disappointment is even greater because the current state of the global 
economy requires every possible effort to stimulate an economic growth.   The last two years, however, were not completely lost.  Because technically, in many areas of 
negotiations, we have achieved visible progress, which, with more political will, can quickly lead to 
an agreement.  The solutions would be beneficial for all WTO members and they would give a sign of WTO vitality.  Here, I mean in particular:   
- trade facilitation; 
- elimination of non-tariff barriers; 
- the EU initiative concerning food aid whic h is also supported by several Members; 
- improvement of DSU system. 
  We are all aware that the current crisis in  the negotiations is because of our different 
understanding of the concept of balance in mutu al benefits and obligations of the possible 
compromise.  Without solving this dilemma it will be  difficult to return to the overall negotiations, but 
we should not give up, taking into account the deve lopment dimension of the Round and the needs of 
the LCD's in particular.  At the same time we s hould open soon the discussion on the issues, that since 
the adoption of the DDA agenda in 2001, became the subject of concern in multilateral trading 
system, as for example food security or environmental problems. 
 
 I would like also to underline the importance of strengthening the existing mechanisms of the 
WTO, and especially the improvement of the notifi cation system.  We should use the next few months 
to build up the effective instrument for ensuring transparency and mutual trust. 
 
 The development of international trade relations  is particularly important to my country.  
Over the past 10 years Poland h as increased its exports from 32 to 156 billion dollars and imports 
from 49 to 174 billion dollars.  The growing participa tion in international trade has helped Poland to 
mitigate negative effects of the current global crisis  to our economy.  Therefore, we note with great 
concern the increased number of trade restric tion measures introduced in the last period. 
 
 Fulfilling its role of the Presidency of the EU  Council, Poland seeks to promote efforts in 
improving the conditions of EU trade with all partners.  Therefore, also for those reasons, I would like WT/MIN(11)/ST/121 
Page 2  
 
  to congratulate the Russian Federation, Samoa a nd Montenegro on the occasion of their admission to 
the WTO.    In my closing, I would like to thank Mr Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the WTO and the Swiss and Geneva authorities for organizing this Confer ence.  I really hope that it will be possible to  
give a strong impetus for the WTO work for 2012 and beyond. 
  
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