The Minister for Economy participates in the EU Foreign Affairs and Trade Council meeting, which takes place in the framework of the Conference
Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov participated in the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs and Trade Council, which was held within the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The ministers responsible for trade in the EU member states discussed and adopted the Council’s proposals in various areas to be supported by the European Union at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference.
In his speech at the Council, Minister Bogdanov pointed out that it is of utmost importance for the credibility of the WTO that the 13th Ministerial Conference reaches a meaningful package of agreements that would cover the most pressing issues to be addressed, as well as set the necessary political guidelines for future work on reforming and modernising the organisation.
In his words, it is crucial for the EU to continue to take a constructive position and play a leading role in the process of strengthening the multilateral trading system, strengthening the credibility of the WTO and consolidating its role in the economic and geopolitical crisis.
‘In order for the Conference to be successful, it is important for us to achieve balanced results in the areas that have emerged as priorities for the EU, including the dispute settlement system, where, above all, a clear commitment should be agreed to continue negotiations on reforming the Appellate Body, to continue the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and to provide guidance for a discussion on trade and industrial policy,’ the Council’s economic minister pointed out.
Together with all the EU Trade Ministers present, Minister Bogdanov took part in a solidarity event with Ukraine. It reaffirmed the two years of support for Ukraine after the beginning of the military aggression by Russia.
The Minister of Economy and Industry is the head of the Bulgarian delegation at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The delegation also includes Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Alexander Yotsev and experts.
The 13th Ministerial Conference is expected to take decisions on WTO dispute settlement reform, agriculture and food security, development and LDC issues, fisheries subsidies, WTO reform, e-commerce, trade and environmental sustainability, accession of new countries and other important issues.