./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(98)/ST/115
20 May 1998
(98-2173)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second SessionGeneva, 18 and 20 May 1998Original:  Spanish
EL SALVADOR
Statement circulated by H. E. Mr Víctor Manuel Lagos Pizzati,
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
El Salvador is honoured to participate in this meeting, which coincides with the 50th
Anniversary of the Multilateral Trading System.  It is a fitting occasion for acknowledging the
endeavours of the developing and least developed countries in pursuance of trade liberalization.
The brief of this Ministerial Conference is to review the implementation of the WTO
Agreements and we should do so without losing sight of the difficulties and needs of small,
developing economies.
My country is firmly committed to a development model which, far from being protectionist,
strives to accelerate the opening of its economy in a manner consistent with the WTO regulatoryframework.  Despite the cost, El Salvador will stay this course, convinced of the potential benefits of
trade liberalization for its development.  We have taken significant steps in the past in regard to goods
and services and we are now pressing ahead with the implementation and modernization of the
multilateral trade regulatory framework and with human resource development.
El Salvador is playing an active role in the Central American economic integration process
and believes that regional agreements constitute a positive input to the multilateral trading system.  Asolid, reliable and transparent system is fundamental to enabling my country to avail itself of the
advantages of the liberalization and globalization process.
We believe that the Dispute Settlement Body is of the highest importance to all Members and
this accounts for the large number of cases that it has studied and which are now before it.  Theexistence of clear and consistent rules to ensure the scrupulous application of the recommendations of
panels will lend even greater credibility to that body and hence to the WTO.
We call on the developed countries substantially to step up trade liberalization, especially in
the textiles sector, by taking positive steps towards improved access to their markets for textile-exporting countries.  We are concerned over the manner in which the Agreement on Textiles and
Clothing has been applied, with particular reference to the integration process.  This has not been
satisfactory and has not produced improved and greater access for products of substantial commercial
significance to our countries.
We ascribe special importance to the forthcoming negotiations on agriculture.  We believe
that the process of information-sharing in this field started in Singapore is highly useful, as is the one
launched in favour of developing countries to procure them greater market access and to dismantle
any subsidies remaining in the sector.WT/MIN(98)/ST/115
Page 2
Negotiations on agriculture should start without delay so that the sector can be fully
integrated and all existing distortions removed, including sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions and
technical barriers.
Likewise, we believe that Article IV of the GATS should be implemented so as to foster
greater participation by developing countries in this sector, with particular reference to the physical
movement of persons.
We are concerned over the fact that the WTO agenda was strongly influenced by the
developed countries, with the result that it includes matters that are of interest to them and not to
developing countries.  We think that the WTO work programmes should include topics of real interest
to the latter countries, such as preferential and differential treatment for developing countries andsmall economies such as those in Central America.
To our mind, the future work programme of the WTO should be the outcome of a detailed
study of the various topics identified by Member States.  The credibility of the system will depend not
only on its degree of responsiveness to new issues, but even more so on its ability to enforce thecommitments assumed by its Members during the last round of negotiations.
Finally, we are convinced that this effort, undoubtedly being made by all developing
countries, warrants the decided support of developed countries.  New and greater trading opportunities
should be created to enable small, developing economies to gain greater market access for products ofcrucial importance to our economic advancement and in which we are more efficient and competitive.
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