. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/137
12 November 2001
(01-5730)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Statement Circulated by H.E. Mr Besnik Fetai
Minister of Economy
(As an Observer)
First of all allow me to express my regrets fo r not being able to personally participate and
address this significant event for the world economy .  The significance is even bigger considering the
current situation of political and economic turbulence as a result of the events of September 11, withall the negative repercussions.  Therefore, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia
and on my personal behalf I would like to extend my gratitude to the representatives of Qatar and
especially to the city of Doha for the organizati on of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the World
Trade Organization.  The role of the organizer of such an important meeting in these times is an
affirmation of the role of a stable and secure partner that Qatar enjoys within the internationalcommunity.
I believe that we all agree on the need for this kind of conference where all positions in regard
to areas concerning directly the WTO Member countries would be discussed.  However, it is
unrealistic to expect an easy reaching consensus cons idering the different interests as a result of the
objective differences in the level of social and economic development of Member countries.  In order
to bridge this gap, first of all we should agree that the structure of the issues within the round mustexpress the willingness of understanding for the needs of the others.  Such an approach reflecting the
interests of all participants, would simplify the contentious question NEW ROUND, YES or NO,
converting it to the conclusion that EVERYTHING IS A SUCCESS WHEN ALL AGREE.  The need
to find a common language and understanding for all problematic issues has no alternative.  This was
reaffirmed by the experience from the last Ministerial Conference two years ago.
In the course of the last decade the Republic of Macedonia was exposed to very negative
political and economic influences as a result of a series of military conflicts throughout major part of
its traditional markets.  The blockades and embargoes that were imposed, additionally burdened the
measures necessary to keep up with modern economic trends.
Despite these extremely unfavourable circumstances, the Republic of Macedonia did not
hesitate in achieving its goals.  The prime objective was and remained the development of an open,
fair and transparent trade system as a basis for creation of a global economic environment that
guarantees a sustainable economic and social development.
Legislative innovations in the domestic regulation modernized and accelerated the trade
relations.  The majority of the free trade agreements, the Stabilization and Association Agreement
with the EU and the efforts of the Government for the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in
WTO, as priority, reject all possible allegations in the opposite direction.WT/MIN(01)/ST/137
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We all agree that achieving an objective such as accession to the WTO is not an easy task.
For that purpose the need of international support for my country in these crucial moments I find more
than necessary.  So far the understanding shown by all Member countries of this Organization for the
circumstances in which the Republic of Macedonia was and is still moving toward its full fledged
membership in the WTO gave a very strong impulse to the continuation and realization of thisprocess.  I believe that already at the next 5th Ministerial Conference, the Republic of  Macedonia will
be able in the capacity of an active partner to give its full contribution to the realization of the  WTO
objectives.
At the end of my address I would like to th ank the General Director, Mr Mike Moore, the
Chairman of the General Council, Ambassador Harbinson, the WTO Secretariat and all others
involved for their utmost efforts in the successful organization of this Ministerial Conference.
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