Bilateral consultations within the framework of accession of Azerbaijan to World Trade Organization (WTO) were carried out in Geneva

Bilateral consultations within the framework of accession of Azerbaijan to World Trade Organization (WTO) were carried out in Geneva

 

On 24-28 June, 2019 bilateral consultations with some members (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand) of Cairns group, as well as US on domestic support to agriculture, and with South Korea and Thailand on goods were carried out in Geneva.

 

Representative of Australia, Chairman of Cairns group thanked to Azerbaijan for information on situation of agriculture and also gave some advice for support level to agriculture. In general, during the meeting some issues, including discussion about obtaining special right of using additional amount (especially, intended for these territories) for the development of agriculture in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh territory after its liberation were suggested by Azerbaijan. Discussion of reviews and possible alternative solutions on mentioned issues was requested from the Members. Countries in the meeting noted that, in general, they support Azerbaijan to obtain opportunities for domestic support to agriculture by accession.

 

Within the framework of the visit, consultation on domestic support to agriculture, alternatives, possible changes, financial services were carried out between the Azerbaijani delegation and experts of WTO secretariat. The Chairman of the Working Party on Azerbaijan's accession to the WTO, Ambassador Walter Werner once again noted that, Members support Azerbaijan for the accession to WTO. For this reason, it is crucial to accelerate the bilateral negotiations and to complete the negotiations as possible as more countries. Ambassador Walter Werner asked some questions about the current preparation process of Azerbaijan, and exchange of views carried out on the next steps. At the same time, Maika Oshikawa, Director of Accessions Division of WTO noted the necessity of assistance to Azerbaijan by Secretariat on accession process.

 

The Azerbaijani Delegation attended to the regular meeting of Agriculture Committee at the WTO Secretariat, and to the Symposium on the role of trade in the global agri-food system on June 27, within the framework of the meeting in Geneva. The symposium was devoted to the discussions about the impact of agriculture and trade policy on agriculture and food industry within global framework in developed and developing countries, their potential contribution, positive and negative effects.