. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/49
11 September 2003
(03-4809)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth SessionCancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  English
TURKEY
Statement by H.E. Mr Kür şad Tüzmen,
State Minister in Charge of Foreign
Trade and Customs
I would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Mexico for their very kind
hospitality and the perfect organization of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the WTO.  Besides, I
would also like to express our appreciation for the professional labour of the WTO Secretariat.
Before commenting on specific issues, please allow me to express our pleasure for the steps
taken in most of the negotiation fields in accordance with the Doha Mandate since the date we
initiated this Round of trade talks with ranging expectations.
Although it was not possible to make the much-desired progress in some of the negotiating
areas, we believe that the current stage of the negotiations attained through the outstanding efforts and
contributions of each delegation, reflects the strong will towards a more open, fair, balanced,
transparent and development-oriented trading system.  In fact, as we declared and mandated in Doha,
this was the main target we headed for.
I think we all share the view that the Cancún Ministerial represents a midway in the
Doha Round.  Now, in line with our common target, what we are supposed to achieve in Cancún is toprovide the momentum needed to conclude this negotiation process by setting the final directions to
follow so as to reach the desired outcomes until the scheduled deadline.
Having this goal in mind, I especially wish to note with satisfaction the recent successful
outcome regarding the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and public health.  We considerthis development as a true consequence of the Doha mentality.
It is obvious that the reform process in agriculture will constitute the centrepiece of our
deliberations.  Since agriculture is of vital importance for many countries, our task here should be to
establish a balanced framework for further liberalization in agriculture, in a manner that each andevery Member could find something to benefit.  Such a framework should also cover elimination of
all trade-distorting subsidies and specific commercial concerns of a group of some least-developed
countries can be considered within the context of agricultural negotiations.
Furthermore, special and differential treatment, an integral part of the negotiations, should be
strengthened with special products based on self-declaration and special safeguard mechanisms for
addressing the legitimate needs and concerns of developing countries.
Market access negotiations for non-agricultural products is another important component of
the Doha Round.  We attach great importance to these negotiations.  We fully support the mandateprovided by the Doha Ministerial Declaration.WT/MIN(03)/ST/49
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As the outcome of these negotiations, we are expecting substantial reductions in industrial
tariffs and elimination of all non-tariff barriers on the basis of an equitable, fair and balanced
understanding.
As far as sectoral initiatives are concerned, it is our perception that negotiations on the tariff
reductions should be conducted within the context of a general approach.  However, in the textiles and
clothing sector which is of utmost importance fo r the exports of developing countries, sectoral
approach leading to harmonization of tariffs by all Members without any exception would be the most
appropriate way to achieve real market access.
Regarding the newly-acceded Members to the WTO, those Members, we believe should share
the same responsibilities with all other Members in this Round of negotiations.
With regard to services negotiations, we are satisfied with what has been achieved so far.
Believing that this newly experienced segment of trade bears its own significance and promising
potential, Turkey has actively and constructively engaged in the services negotiations.
Among other issues, the extension of protection of Geographical Indications to products other
than wines and spirits has great value for many Member countries at the different levels of
development and also this issue is relevant to the interests of small- and medium-size producers in
many developing countries.
We see the Singapore Issues as the significant elements of the Doha Agenda.  As a matter of
fact, the very important deliberations to take place here in Cancún, on these four topics, may allow us
to extend the effectiveness of the multilateral trading system to other core areas of the international
economy.  We hope that each and every Singapore Issue would be assessed within its own merits and
be treated in a flexible and constructive manner.
Today, in a couple of hours' time, we will be happy to welcome Nepal and Cambodia to our
family.  I would like to congratulate them in advance for this achievement.
We should all be confident that this global family takes gradual but sound steps towards the
prosperity of its members and represents the trustworthy forum to understand better each other's needs
and interests.
I believe all the delegations will take the opportunity to conclude the Conference with fruitful
results for the future success of the Doha Round.
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