WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/139
2 December 1999
(99-5341)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
POLAND
Statement by Ms Anna Skowro ńska-Luczy ńska
Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy
Poland, a founding Member of the World Trade Organization, attaches a great importance to
the success of the Third Ministerial Conference in Seattle and the forthcoming round of multilateral
trade negotiations and will try to make a useful contribution to this end.
We are of the opinion that negotiations should cover a broad spectrum of topics without
excluding a priori  any topic from the agenda.  We believe that the current liberalization of world trade
on the global scale is both reflected in, and augmented by the expansion of regional economic
arrangements.  Poland's resolve to join the European Union should also be seen as an expression ofour intention to become better integrated in the world economy as well as a testimony to our readiness
to participate actively in the world trading system.
It is essential in our opinion that the commencement, the conduct and the conclusion of
negotiations should be treated as parts of a single undertaking.
An assurance of mutual and increased benefits for all WTO Members is an extremely
important aim of the new round of negotiations.  A general balance and equity of negotiation results
should also be seen as one of the principal objectives.  We support, therefore, the idea that multilateral
trade negotiations should be conducted with due consideration given to special concerns of
developing countries.  Taking into consideration these special needs of developing countries and of
LDCs in particular, Poland will support their special and differential treatment.
We further believe that the negotiation process should be governed by the principle of
transparency.  It will favour an effective participation of all parties concerned in negotiations.  We
recognize, therefore, the importance of current consultations with NGOs, civil society, trade unions
and professional organizations, which warrants realization of economic interests of all WTOMembers.
Poland supports a continuation of the reform process in agriculture on the grounds of
Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  Results of these negotiations should assure equilibrium
between the long-term objective of a gradual reduction of support and protection brought about by thereform process and the remaining aspects embracing, inter alia , the multifunctional aspect and the
specific role of agriculture in the economy of individual countries.
Poland trusts that negotiations should aim to restrict and eliminate those factors that exert a
negative impact on international trade in services and to endeavour to attain a higher level of the
liberalization of trade in this area.WT/MIN(99)/ST/139
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We also believe that a modification of schedules and MFN exemptions will be an important
element of negotiations.
We consider it desirable that commercial aspects of intellectual property rights should be
included in the negotiations agenda of the new round.  These rights should be duly protected in theprocess of accelerated technology development and technology transfer.
Poland, along with other countries, is of the opinion that the Understanding on Rules and
Procedures of Dispute Settlement (DSU) assures stability and predictability of the multilateral trading
system.  There is a need, however, for a clarification of procedures and improved implementation of
DSB decisions in the WTO dispute settlement system.
We consider that such important issues as those of investments and competition which have
been examined for some time already on the grounds of the mandate by the Ministerial conference in
Singapore should find a proper place in the new round of negotiations.
In the face of the progressing globalization and liberalization of trade, a multilateral
regulation of investment and competition principles may bolster up the rules based system of
international cooperation, which is in the interest of all countries.
It should be pointed out that gradual liberalization of duties on non-agricultural products,
elimination of tariff peaks, effected with due regard to specific nature of particularly sensitive sectors,
and the issue of non-tariff barriers in Member States as well as an elimination of duties on imports
from LDCs should rank high on our agenda and become major achievements of the new round.
Poland supports the idea to establish principles concerning transparency in government
procurement as the first step towards the es tablishment of multilateral rules on Government
Procurement.
We also support the initiative of broadening the commodity coverage of the Agreement on
Liberalization of Trade in Information Technology Products (ITA) assuming that the achievement of
acceptable solution on the grounds of a consensus by parties to the Agreement can be reached.
Looking ahead, we abide by the view that a complete and effective implementation of WTO
Agreements is a basic precondition for the efficient functioning of the WTO system.  Our position is
that a fulfilment of earlier obligations by WTO Members should constitute the foundation for further
negotiations.
The trade and environmental protection policies should be mutually supportive in order to
achieve a sustainable development.  Ecological aspects should be taken into consideration during
negotiations to ensure that the final results fully comply with obligations undertaken by countries in
Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
There is no need to emphasize that human rights and labour standards issues rank prominently
on Poland's political agenda.  Accordingly, we see a possibility to establish an appropriate forum
outside the WTO structure to initiate an analysis  of new and complex interrelationship among trade
policy, trade liberalization, development and core labour standards.
The outcomes of such works should in no case create a base for projectionist actions, for
example in the form of trade sanctions related to the non-observance of labour standards.
The ultimate goal of the new round is to step up international trade, give a new momentum to
the development of the world economy and increase welfare on the global scale to the benefit of all
countries.WT/MIN(99)/ST/139
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I am confident that the new Round will strengthen the WTO and consolidate its unique
position in the multilateral trading system.  Accordingly, it should enable the WTO both to foster
development and the principle of democratic and participatory decision-making in the Organization.
As a result the WTO should become more open, responsive and better equipped to meet new
challenges, reinforce cooperation with other international organizations and carry on the dialogue with
civil society.
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