. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/ST/46 
15 December 2005 
 (05-6026) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
CROATIA 
 
Statement by HE Mr Damir Polan čec
 
Vice Prime Minister  
   Let me begin by expressing, on behalf of th e Government of the Republic of Croatia, our 
gratitude to the authorities of Hong Kong, China for hosting this important Conference and for the 
excellent organization of this significant milestone event in our negotiations.  We would also like to 
thank the Director-General and the various chairm en of the negotiating bodies for presenting the draft 
Ministerial text which provides a very good basis for our current discussions.   In Doha, four years ago, Croatia participated for the first time as a WTO Member and strongly supported the new round of multilateral trad e negotiations with a conviction that it will bring 
benefits and contribute to the long-term economic growth of a ll WTO Members.  Even though our 
optimism could be questioned in the light of the difficulties that we are facing currently in the 
negotiations, we strongly believe that  this Conference could help us ge t back on track and enable us to 
conclude the Round within the agreed time-frame.  
 Our position in this round of ne gotiations is based on the fact  that during its accession process 
Croatia has made extensive market access commitments in the key areas of agriculture, non-agricultural market access a nd services which went far beyond those agreed in the Uruguay 
Round.  We note with satisfaction that this has b een clearly recognized in paragraph 9 of the Doha 
Ministerial Declaration, as well as in the Framewor k Agreement.  Therefore, we believe that the 
specific situation of Croatia and other Recently A cceded Members would be fully taken into account 
in all areas of negotiations. 
  Croatia attaches great importance to the negotiations on market access in all three areas, namely agriculture, non-agricultural products and ser vices.  Although our proposals have already been 
tabled, allow me to stress briefly some major elements which are of specific significance for us. 
 
 We are aware that negotiations on Agriculture are one of the key issues within the framework 
of the Doha Development Agenda.  Like in most ot her economies, the agriculture sector is for us the 
most sensitive one.  Therefore, taking into acc ount the level of commitments made during the 
accession process, Croatia believes that modalities in the area of agricultural market access should 
include specific flexibility provisions for RAM's, providing for a grace period after the entry into 
force of this round results, exemption of low tari ffs from further reduction, lower tariff reductions and 
a longer transitional period for implementation of the new commitments.  Additionally, any provision 
to be agreed for a specific safeguard instrument s hould accordingly be applicable to all.  We also 
expect longer transitional periods in the area of do mestic support, as well as the exemption of RAM's 
from the obligation to reduce de minimis  support. 
 
 In the area of Non-Agricultural Market Access we believe that RAM's should be allowed for a 
different coefficient in the formul a, with a certain grace period as well as longer transitional period.  WT/MIN(05)/ST/46 
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 Moreover, we are calling for the exemption of our  countries from the obligation to eliminate low 
duties, and for flexibilities in re gards to the sectoral initiatives. 
  Concerning other areas of negotiations, Croatia  will continue to be  actively engaged and 
contribute to their successful outcome.  In this respect, let me stress our particular interest in the 
services negotiations and the need for flexibilities that  should be awarded to Croatia and other RAM's. 
  At this point, I would like to emphasize that particular attention shoul d be given to issues 
having direct impact on everyday life in many countries.  We have to ensure that those who need it most receive necessary assistance  from the WTO in order to help them to alleviate poverty and 
problems related to it.  In this respect, Croatia pa rticularly welcomes the adoption of amendment to 
the TRIPS Agreement.   Let me conclude by repeating our strong support to the successful outcome of this Conference 
and the Round in whole.  It is obvious that we ha ve a difficult task ahead of us.  Nevertheless, we 
strongly believe that with sufficient level of tolera nce and the sense of compromise we should be able 
to reach a satisfactory outcome of this Round in a timely and efficient manner.  
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