./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/30
10 November 2001
(01-5606)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
AUSTRIA
Statement by H.E. Dr. Martin Bartenstein
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Labour
At this time of great challenges and opportunities I want to thank His Highness the Emir for
his offer to host the Fourth Ministerial Conference here in this beautiful city of Doha.  We are
impressed by the way the Qatari Government and the people combine traditional Arab hospitality
with an efficient framework for our important endeavours.
My sincere thanks also go to the Chairpersons of all WTO institutions and to
Director-General Mike Moore, his deputies and to the entire WTO Secretariat.
The world is confronted with many challenges right now:  slacking economic growth,
structural development deficits, increasing unemployment, new health scares, and – last, but notleast – environmental degradation problems.  These factors make it necessary to look for new and
creative responses.  A successful outcome of this Conference means invigorating the WTO
negotiating process.  Multilateral rulemaking and trade liberalization are important stimuli for
economic growth and structural improvements.  Their immanent welfare-creating potential should be
reinforced in the future.  There are good reasons for developing the WTO system further.  In doing so,
let us, however, not forget that trade liberalization must go hand in hand with increased responsibility,
particularly in the field of environment, health and social policy.
The multilateral trading system does not, for various reasons, automatically provide the
possibility to use to an equal extent the opportunities which it offers to all Members.  The developing
world and especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) need our particular support, in order to
master the challenge of globalization.  We therefore welcome the paragraphs in the MinisterialDeclaration which contain concrete suggestions to improve technical assistance and capacity building
and give particular attention to LDCs.  Important steps have already been taken in this regard by the
EC, granting free market access to LDC products except arms, and by other WTO Members.
Let me turn to a few specific areas:Last year we were able to launch the mandated negotiations on agriculture and services.
These sectors account for over two-thirds of the world's economic output.  In the services area we
welcome the fact that the work done so far has been very constructive and has provided a solid
foundation for the next negotiating phase.  This impetus should be maintained in the coming requestoffer approach.
As regards agriculture, we support the endeavours for further liberalization building on
commitments already undertaken in Article 20 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.  Leaving aside
all details, I wish to stress that agriculture in Austria cannot be compared to agricultural productionsin various countries on other continents.  The particular characteristic of our agriculture is the small
family farm, which, in addition to maintaining high quality production, is committed to fulfillingWT/MIN(01)/ST/30
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important social and environmental functions, e.g. the preservation of the countryside and the rural
environment, features of particular importance for a tourist country with many mountainous regions.
Therefore non-trade concerns are of particular importance to us in the negotiations on agriculture.
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) has been criticized
for limiting policy options in relation to public health concerns.  But we must not forget that
intellectual property rights provide an essential stimulus for creativity and innovation.  However,
Austria is fully committed to finding solutions to the problem of access to affordable medicines.
In the interest of achieving a sustainable development, complementarity of trade and
environmental policy is important.  The WTO Committee on Trade and Environment has contributed
to a better understanding of the relevant questions and positions.  We therefore feel that a good basishas been laid for moving the discussion to a new phase, in which we could proceed to clarify
concretely the compatibility of multilateral envi ronmental agreements with the existing WTO rules.
In this context we also should address the issue of the precautionary principle and see to it that there
are adequate rules on labelling to meet the evident needs of consumers for information.  We are
convinced that WTO has to assure policy makers and the population that trade and environment aremutually supportive.  Consequently, WTO has to take appropriate measures to this effect by clarifying
its rules, taking on the legitimate concerns of all WTO Members, in particular of developing
countries, and thus reducing the risk of protectionist abuse of environmental objectives.
We fully support the ILO's work in promoting the compliance with core labour standards in
all countries and in particular the recent initiative by Mr Somavia.  Indeed, this is an area where
cooperation must be intensified by creating an institutional dialogue between all relevant
organizations like ILO, WTO, UNCTAD, IMF, etc.  We reaffirm that comparative advantages of
developing countries should not be called into question and that we stand against trade sanctions and
protectionist measures in this context.
The WTO is in an ideal position to intensify the work on trade and investment and on trade
and competition which would complement its relevance in all matters related to international trade.
The analytical studies carried out for half a decade by the respective Working Groups have achieved
already valuable insights.  Therefore we assume that sufficient preparation has been conducted and
time is ripe now to launch negotiations.  The introduction of basic rules in both areas will be likely to
benefit developing countries at least as much as industrialized members, be it in terms of attractinginvestment or creating a competitive environment.
This Ministerial Conference provides the opportunity for the 142 Member countries of the
WTO to welcome 1.5 billion people from China and Chinese Taipei into our rules-based system.
China's accession to WTO represents a major step towards universal acceptance of rules forinternational trade.  The rules-based system will play a crucial role in furthering global economic
cooperation and will contribute to sustainable growth and economic development, peace and stability
world-wide. In addition, intensifying accession negotiations with the other applicant countries,
amongst them larger nations like Russia, the Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, and with smaller ones like
Nepal or Bhutan to name just a few, will further strengthen the system.
Mr Chairman, since its creation the WTO has increased its importance as an international
organization and in civil society's opinion.  Thus, it is up to us to once again show leadership and
launch a comprehensive round of trade negotiations.  We owe it to our people that we take their
legitimate concerns seriously and address them in an appropriate manner.  This will enhance WTO'sstanding and reputation and will permit it to carry out its tasks even more successfully.
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