. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/23 
16 December 2011  
 
(11-6580) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
GERMANY 
 
Statement by Mr Jochen Homann 
State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology 
   For decades, Germany has engaged in active a nd sustained efforts to advance the multilateral 
trade system.  That is why we want this Minister ial Conference to achieve a successful conclusion and 
to strengthen the system of world trade rules. 
 
I. NEW MEMBERS WILL STRENGTHEN THE WTO 
 For this reason, we strongly welcome the fa ct that, after long and difficult negotiations, 
Russia, Samoa, Montenegro and Vanuatu have been accepted as new Members of the World Trade 
Organization. 
 
 I would like to take the opportunity to ex press my emphatic congratulations to all new 
Members.  Germany promises to be a fair partner to you.   The accession of Russia is a major if not histor ic step forward.  By joining the WTO, Russia 
is demonstrating its commitment to being integrat ed into the world economy on the basis of clear 
rules and agreements.  Russia, and the Russian people, will benefit from the new openness of their 
country.  And this will give a clear boost to growth and employment in Russia.   The accession of the new Members will also serve to strengthen the WTO.  II. CALL FOR CONTINUED MULTILATERAL COOPERATION 
 When it comes to multilateral cooperation, we need to make progress not only in the area of 
trade, but also in other crucial areas, especially global financial markets;  international environmental 
protection;  fishing;  and the world climate.  
 The current stagnation in trade negotiations is not good for the world trade system.  
Protectionism and fragmentation ar e concrete dangers that put the world trade system at risk. 
  It is not too late to overcome these risks.  Bu t if negotiations continue  to be blocked by all 
sides, this will cause further damage to the system of world trade rules and especially to the dispute 
settlement system. 
  We are committed to an open world of interna tional understanding, and to open markets.  We 
also want to be able to resolve conflicts around th e world that arise due to economic disputes, and we 
want to do this by taking such matters to an  independent, neutral dis pute settlement body whose 
decisions are then complied with. WT/MIN(11)/ST/23 
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 Thus we highly value the WTO's dispute settlement system which serves as a guarantor for the peaceful resolution of trade conflicts.  
III. DOHA REMAINS ON TOP OF THE AGENDA 
 Our main task is to find a way out of the current deadlock in the Doha negotiations.  We 
cannot simply set Doha aside or ignore it.  Thus I call on all Members of the WTO to continue with 
efforts to move forward the negotiations.   There is a number of well-advanced topics on which we can agree in the course of the 
next year if we negotiate seriously and with determination to find common ground. 
  Some people argue that the Doha agenda is ove rly ambitious, and overloaded.  However, that 
is no reason to terminate negotiations without achievi ng any results.  For exam ple, the consensus that 
has been achieved in the agricultural sector – in cluding steps to curb the global competition in 
agricultural subsidies – is definitely worth holding on to. 
  Building on what has been achieved so far, let's work together to pave the way for an 
acceptable outcome for goods and services as well.   For this reason, we need a work programme that will enable us to work together, step by step, 
toward effective approaches and solutions.  No  WTO Member should be allowed to avoid its 
responsibilities, especially those Member countries th at bear major responsibility for the successful 
functioning of the world trade system.  
IV. RESISTING PROTECTIONISM 
 We have to remain on guard in our efforts to  fight protectionism.  In this connection, the 
WTO's monitoring process is a key instrument th at needs to be strengthened even further. 
  I would also like to thank the WTO's Director-General, Pascal Lamy, for his tireless dedication in supporting the Doha Round and fighti ng against protectionism.  And I would like to 
encourage him to continue with these crucial efforts.   After all, a successful Doha Round will give us 
a boost in growth and employment and will contribute to better integrate the developing countries into 
the world trading system – this is what we all wish for the coming years.   In this spirit I wish all of us the best of success at this WTO Ministerial Conference. 
 
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