TNAG-1494-FCO40-2052-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 49

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

STATEMENT BY MR WILLY DE CLERCU ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AT THE CONCLUSION

OF THE PUNTA DEL ESTE MINISTERIAL MEETING 20 SEPTEMBER 1986

ANNEXE III

Mr Chadman :

The starting gun for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations has at 1 been fired. Under your leadership, what we came to achieve has been achiev 录 Each of us has tompared his demands, in the interest of the common good. have demonstrated again the value of consensus in the GATT. And we have renewed our commitment to the open miltilateral trading system, so vital for the Community and for our partners, big and small. The Uruguay, Round is launched and the Punta del Este Declaration will henceforth serve as our ban:

for the great mission ahead.

None should underestimate the size of this challenge. The objectives are ambitious. The negotiations will be tough and demanding. But they can ani will be brought to a fruitful conclusion. You can count on the European

Community to play its part to the full.

In the GATT, genuine mutuality of advantages has always been, and must remadı a primary aim. Benefits should be fairly shared... Unhappily, certain fundamental disequilibria persist,and are undermining the health and wellbei of the multilateral trading system. The Uruguay Round will need to put thị: right. During these negotiations, we shall be assessing the progress made.

Mr Chairman, the Community reaffirms its commitment to differential and more

favourable treatment for developing countries consistent with the level of

their economic development. Wo will also continue to give special attentio: to the trade problems faced by the Least Developed Countries.

9214/86

34-

cb

/In the Comuní:

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.