. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/71 
15 December 2005 
 (05-6064) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
ITALY 
 
Statement by the Honourable Claudio Scajola
 
Minister for Productive Activities  
   I would like to thank the authorities and the people of Hong Kong, China for their kind and warm hospitality, as well as their impec cable organization of this Conference. 
 
 We are all here today because we all agree on how much trade is essential to the prosperity and well-being of mankind.   All countries, whatever their level of devel opment, are aware that their economic growth 
depends on trade being increasingly free and gl obal, and supported by shared rules. 
 
 The opportunities presented by opening intern ational markets are evident, and developing 
economies stand to benefit most of all.   But international trade must be also facilitated by the elimination of obstacles and barriers.  In 
this connection, in the case of Italy, whose economy rests on her small and medium-sized companies, 
the need for a predictable and liberal trade regime  is even more important, both in goods and in 
services.   Italy is simultaneously one of the world's great exporters, and one of the world's great importers.  We depend therefore upon the openness of international markets, as open ideally as our 
own markets are open to others. 
  Foreign entrepreneurs find in Europe authentic  market access, with predictable and 
transparent rules, and low industrial tariffs.  As regards developing countri es' exporters, they all 
substantially benefit in addition from the EU's Gene ralized Preferences treatment;  but even better, if 
they are based in one of the 50 LDCs, they can en joy "tariff-free, quota free" treatment for all their 
exports to Europe, except weapons.   We would welcome all industrialized countries to follow suit, and 1 strongly hope that here in 
Hong Kong they will. 
 
 To make progress in a negotiation, flexibilit y is also needed, and some sacrifices may be 
called for.  WT/MIN(05)/ST/71 
Page 2  
 
  The EU has already made many sacrifices. 
 
• It has dropped 3 out of 4 of the Singapore issues; 
• it has agreed to eradicate subsidies to ag ricultural exports, on condition that others do 
the same for all measures with equivalent effect; 
• it has implemented in 2003 a drastic agricu ltural reform, resulting in a reduction of 
domestic subsidies, eliminating dist ortion and decoupling from production; 
• it has presented an offer for ma rket access, substantial and credible, quite above what 
we have already implemented after the Uruguay Round. 
 
 We are now waiting
. for others to do their share.  We ask in particular that our quality 
products enjoy authentic market access and real  protection against counterfeiting and piracy. 
 
 We are committed to an ambitious agreement, one that may provide a strong impulsion to the 
world economy, and particularly for those countri es where emerging from poverty remains an elusive 
task.   To these countries in particular, Europe has offered a concrete and pragmatic development 
package.  This package is within our reach, and it could, indeed it should, be adopted immediately. 
 
 We want results everywhere, including on issu es that seem to receive less attention this week, 
such as services, an area of the greatest importance to  us.  In any event, there must be a substantial 
parallelism between all pillars of this negotiation.  
 In particular, simultaneously to any further c oncessions that we might make in agriculture, 
there must be concessions on industr ial issues from the other partners. 
  We are ambitious in the NAMA negotiations, th at must not be allowed to lag behind, or on 
the specific topic of Geographical Indications, and I would like here to voice my appreciation to the 
important countries that have recently adopted provisions protecting these  important intellectual 
property rights, and that fight successfully commerce in counterfeit goods. 
  Finally, let me say a word on the Rules.   Fair trade cannot exist without a clear framework  of shared rules, providing everyone with 
adequate guarantees.  This Round provides an oppor tunity to agree on rules for a predictable and 
transparent trade environment.   Italy invites all to show a shared commitm ent to the implementation of internationally 
recognized environmental and labour standards.  
 These values are explicitly referred to in the WTO Treaty. 
  That's why we believe that globalization must above all imply respect for individuals and for 
future generations.  Trade can really be a source of growth for all when it is firmly anchored on values 
and provides for the development of all nations. 
 
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