. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/102
12 September 2003
(03-4888)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth SessionCancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  English
CYPRUS
Statement by H.E. Mr Yiorgos Lillikas
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Let me first join other speakers in thanki ng the Mexican Government for their generous
hospitality and all those who were involved in the excellent organization of this important
Conference.
We have gathered here at a very crucial time.Under the present economic conditions we cannot ignore the importance of continuing
progress in the world trade negotiations, nor the serious damage that a possible collapse of this
Conference would entail for the global economy in  general and the multilateral trading system in
particular.
Cyprus remains committed to an agreement in the form of a single undertaking aiming at a
comprehensive and balanced package of agreements which will reflect the interests of all Members -
especially those of the developing countries in accordance with all objectives set out at Doha.
The results of the Doha Ministerial were rightly termed a Development Agenda.  Let us use
this Conference to respond effectively to the legitimate hopes of the developing world to address morevigorously the issues of poverty and underdevelopment.
We were more than happy a few days ago to hear about the new consensus in the area of
drugs and health.  This is a good example of a focused approach that led to tangible results.  As a
general rule, it is more productive to concentrate on real and specific problems and to avoid sweepingdemands and generalizations.  If we believe in free trade as an engine of development, we must keep
together and avoid the temptation of asking others to do what we are not willing to undertake
ourselves.
Having said so let me now focus on a few issues of particular concern to my country.In the area of agriculture we believe that the EU-US text offers a very sound basis for an
agreement and an opportunity that should not be missed by putting forward maximalistic demands.
All of us have quite a number of additional concerns and reservations, but these can be dealt with at a
subsequent stage.
Concerning the multilateral system of notification and registration of Geographical
Indications of wines and spirits, Cyprus supports its adoption without unnecessary delay.  Agreement
has to be reached by the same date as that for modalities, in other areas such as agriculture.
Additionally, we wish to move forward the negotiations on the extension of the protection ofGeographical Indications to other products.WT/MIN(03)/ST/102
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On non-agricultural market access, we are in favour of a single formula approach, in order to
reduce, in particular, peak industrial tariffs across-the-board.  We also support sectorial components
where appropriate.
Services are a vital engine for economic performance.  In Cyprus they account for more than
65 per cent of the GDP.  We therefore support the tabling of meaningful offers, including in the
financial, telecommunications and maritime sectors.
Concerns of small economies and LDCs need to be given particular attention.  A meaningful
package of special and differential treatment and trade-related technical assistance and
capacity-building should be offered to them.  We support the recommendations already agreed upon
in Geneva, as well as the search for additional measures in favour of poor countries to assist them inintegrating productively into the world economic system.
I hope that through our prudent deliberations, progress can be achieved at all levels.  At the
end of this Conference everybody must be able to return home with some tangible results and a strong
message of hope.
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