Remaining issues are ripe for decision. We have an historic opportunity to eliminate tariffs on these products. We must seize it. Our second challenge is to proceed expeditiously to conclude the basic telecommunications negotiations by 15 February 1997. Investors increasingly seek predictability in telecommunications as part of a well-functioning international trade and investment regime.
Telecom is a strategic industry and a generator of economic growth and employment.
If we are successful in the WTO, basic telecom liberalization will spur investment and the use of new technologies in wider geographic and product areas. The United States and Europe have recently announced improvements to the offers tabled in the basic telecom negotiations, and we urge others to match our offers. This is certainly our hope and expectation. With such a short amount of time after this Ministerial to conclude this negotiation, we hope all WTO Members will contribute meaningfully to an agreement that provides market access and investment opportunities in the 21st century. But let me be clear.