Multilateral trading system and WTO conference expectations discussed in the latest FAC Trade Council

Malta continued to affirm its firm support of the multilateral trading system and the importance of the World Trade Organisation.

Minister Chris Cardona said that, in this respect, Malta believes that the European Union should continue to maintain a position of leadership in the negotiations while aspiring for significant ambition in the outcome of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference.

“Malta can support the Commission’s strategy and the issues to which the EU has adhered to, including agriculture, fishery subsidies, e-commerce, domestic regulation in services, SMEs, and gender issues,” added the minister.

Minister Cardona is participating in the 11th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference and the Foreign Affairs Trade Council meeting of ministers which is taking place in the margins of the WTO in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

During the FAC Trade meeting on Sunday, 10 December, prior to the opening ceremony of the WTO, which was held between 10 and 13 December – the EU trade ministers discussed the EU’s position and its expectations for the WTO Ministerial Conference.

The EU continued to maintain its position that a balanced outcome in the WTO Ministerial Conference would have to address not only fisheries subsidies and public stockholdings for food security purposes but also other issues in domestic regulation in services, e-commerce (the setting up of a working party with a negotiating mandate) and transparency of regulatory measures for the benefit of SMEs. Moreover, the EU will support the initiative by some members to have a discussion on investment facilitation in the WTO.

Minister Cardona thanked the EU Commission at the FAC trade meeting for its proactive engagement in the run-up to the WTO Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference and congratulated the Commission for the conclusion of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement. “This is a good demonstration of just how the EU can conclude ambitious trade agreements,” said Minister Cardona.

He emphasised that Malta also agrees with focusing on the Multilateral Trading System and reiterated that while the plurilateral negotiations could be a fruitful way forward in the future, it is not the right approach at this time.

Minister Cardona concluded that in the absence of tangible and ambitious outcomes, the EU should look at a work programme that sufficiently addresses the main interests of the EU including services and investment, e-commerce and MSMEs.

The main conclusions of the FAC Trade meeting indicated the EU’s support of the multilateral trade system and the need to strengthen the WTO, while calling for WTO members to make constructive and adequate contributions.

The WTO Ministerial Conference came to an end on 13 December, during which Minister Cardona delivered a statement on the Multilateral Trading System issued by Malta on behalf of the Commonwealth.