. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/108
12 November 2001
(01-5700)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Statement by H.E. Mrs Anarhan Rahmanova
on behalf of the
Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry
First of all I would like to thank His Highness the Emir and the Government of Qatar, as well
as the WTO Secretariat on behalf of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for all efforts andendeavours undertaken for the successful conduction of the Ministerial Conference.
I would like to warmly congratulate our neighbour – People's Republic of China, as well as
Chinese Taipei with successful completion of their accession processes to the WTO.  Our nations
have a long history of trading relations, which goes back to many ages.  Today, China is one of themain trading partners of the Kyrgyz Republic as it is for many other countries as well.  This is a
historic event that opens a new era for the WTO as a truly global Organization.
Yet we have a considerable number of countries, which are in the process of their accession to
the WTO.  We support rapid and successful accession of these countries, which, of course, will
depend largely on their readiness to liberalization and reforms.  However, on the other hand, we stress
that these countries should not be requested to undertake too far-reaching commitments, which gobeyond those undertaken by the current Members.
The Kyrgyz Republic supports the concept of progressive liberalization and considers it as the
key element of development.  Thus, the Kyrgyz Republic, during the last Ministerial Conference in
Seattle, supported launching the further negotiations on trade liberalization with the note thatnegotiations should be fair and  focused on a wide scope of benefits for developing and least-
developed countries.  Today, Kyrgyzstan remains interested in the success of the Ministerial
Conference in Doha and in opening a new stage of development of the multilateral trading system.
The Kyrgyz Republic as a country recently acceded to the WTO, has undertaken significant
liberalization commitments, which in many cases go far beyond those made during the Uruguay
Round, therefore, showed a great degree of flexibility.  The low bound rates of tariffs, liberal access to
services markets, commitments to eliminate export subsidies, as well as low levels of domestic
support in agriculture should be of a particular note.  Despite the difficulties the Kyrgyz Republic is
facing as a country in transition, some of the commitments undertaken exceed the levels establishedfor developing countries.  Therefore, we reasonably expect from both, developed and developing
country Members, flexibility with the purpose of achieving an overall balance of rights and
obligations in the new round.
Fundamental reforms in the agricultural sector, in  respect to elimination of export subsidies,
improving market access, and reduction of distortions is a vital necessity.  We understand the
sensitivity of this sector and the difficulties of some countries in taking decisions in this regard and doshare the view that these countries may expect some flexibility.WT/MIN(01)/ST/108
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Nevertheless, we seek commitments that such measures will be gradually phased out where
possible.
So-called "Development Round" of negotiations must have a truly development agenda that
contains both, immediate actions and a realistic and flexible work programme.  The draft Declaration
before us is a good basis for reaching an agreement here in Doha.  The new round that we expect to
launch here in Doha shall be aimed at maximizing the benefits of the multilateral trading system for
the developing and least-developed countries, as well as countries in transition and reducing poverty.
We believe that this is a critical issue for making this Conference a success.  What we all need is a
political will and flexibility to ensure success.
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