§ Barbara FollettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the United Kingdom's objectives for the second Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva from 18 to 20 May. [42573]
§ Mrs. BeckettThe United Kingdom sees this as a significant meeting for further strengthening the rules-based multilateral system and its dispute settlement mechanism. We will be looking to secure:
- (i) affirmation of the continuing importance of trade liberalisation to economic growth, improving living standards, and new job creation across the world;
- (ii) a pledge to maintain open markets and resist protectionism;
- (iii) a renewed commitment to meeting deadlines to implementation of existing commitments and recognition that technical assistance will be made available to assist countries which are encountering difficulties;
- (iv) a strengthened commitment to achieving greater integration of the least developed countries into the multilateral system by reducing further trade barriers against their exports;
- (v) recognition of the need for a major step forward in the liberalisation of goods and services on a comprehensive basis;
- (vi) the setting in train of wide-ranging groundwork so that decisions can be taken at the 1999 Ministerial on the substance, modalities, and timetable for broad-based negotiations beginning from 2000.
I will attend the conference in my capacity as President in Office of the Council of the European Union. As such, I will be guided by the conclusions of EU Ministers which 195W reflect the consensus among EU trade Ministers for the Ministerial Conference. Copies of these conclusions will be deposited in both Houses. My noble Friend the Minister for Trade will represent the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom's objectives are fully reflected in the EU' s objectives for the conference after which we will want, along with the Commission and other EU member states, to begin a process of communicating the benefits of trade liberalisation and the role of the WTO in that process.