WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/AG/NG/W/152
4 April 2001
(01-1686)
Committee on Agriculture
Special SessionOriginal:  English
SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
26-28 MARCH 2001
Statement by Lithuania
Lithuania, as most of the other participants of the mandated negotiations on agriculture,
would also like to express its agreement with the positive evaluation of  the process of the first stageof the negotiations, made yesterday by the Chairman.  We support the views, expressed by the number
of delegations, that the process of the negotiations in this stage fully complies with the aim and the
spirit of the Article 20 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, including the long-term objective of
substantial progressive reductions in support and protection.  We also assume that the progress is
substantial, discussions on the negotiating proposals were efficient enough, the positions of thecountries now are clear, and this is a good basis for further negotiations.
Although Lithuania participated in the first stage of the negotiations as not yet a member of
the WTO using the rights provided by the Decision of General Council of 8 March, 2000, it has
already expressed its position regarding the subject.
Lithuania is one of the co-sponsors of the negotiating proposals of transition economies on
market access (G/AG/NG/W/57) and domestic support (G/AG/NG/W/56) presented in the fourth
Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture.  Th e position of Lithuania was also reflected in the
statements by the distinguished representatives of Hungary, Czech Republic, Latvia and Estonia,
made also on behalf of Lithuania.  Some specific aspects of Lithuania's position are also expressed in
her written submission of 15 February  2001 issued as document G/AG/NG/W/127.
Lithuania accepts and recognises the benefits of the substantial progressive reductions in
agricultural support and protection in long-term perspective.  However, as some Members noted
already in the stock-taking statements yesterday, the countries are different, and the single model for
further reforms in agricultural trade is hardly possible.  We agree with the positions of the memberstates that expressed the needs to take into account the non-trade concerns, and outlined their different
aspects and different reflection of them in the agricultural policies of individual countries.  We also
recognise the importance of the concerns raised by the developing countries and needs for the further
elaboration of the Special and Differential Treatment.  The specificity of the countries in transition
also should be taken into account because of the specific situation in agriculture of these countries, asa result of the wide structural reforms, which still continue with the aim to increase effectiveness and
competitiveness of their agricultural sectors.
We appreciate the supporting remarks and understanding expressed by the countries during
the negotiations regarding this specific situation of  transition economies.  Therefore, we would like to
call once again for the flexibility in market access and domestic support for these countries as it is
expressed in the relevant negotiating proposals.  Also we are convinced, that all specific aspects in the
individual countries should be taken into account, including, for example, in the case of Lithuania, the
necessity of the adjustments in its agriculture due to the commitments made recently during accession
negotiations, which are reflected in the written submission mentioned above.
Finally, I would like to express the readiness of Lithuania to participate actively in the further
negotiations process.
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