|
Ministers,
Recognizing the plight of the least-developed countries and the need to ensure
their effective participation in the world trading system, and to take
further measures to improve their trading opportunities;
Recognizing the specific needs of the least-developed countries in the area of
market access where continued preferential access remains an essential
means for improving their trading opportunities;
Reaffirming their commitment to implement fully the provisions concerning the
least-developed countries contained in paragraphs 2(d),
6 and 8 of the Decision of 28 November 1979 on Differential and More
Favourable Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller Participation of
Developing Countries;
Having
regard to the commitment of the participants as set out in Section
B (vii) of Part I of the Punta del Este Ministerial Declaration;
1.
Decide that, if not
already provided for in the instruments negotiated in the course of
the Uruguay Round, notwithstanding their acceptance of these
instruments, the least-developed countries, and for so long as they
remain in that category, while complying with the general rules set
out in the aforesaid instruments, will only be required to undertake
commitments and concessions to the extent consistent with their
individual development, financial and trade needs, or their
administrative and institutional capabilities. The least-developed countries shall be given additional time of
one year from 15 April 1994 to submit their schedules as
required in Article XI of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade
Organization.
2.
Agree that:
(i)
Expeditious implementation of all special and differential
measures taken in favour of least-developed countries including those
taken within the context of the Uruguay Round shall be ensured
through, inter alia, regular
reviews.
(ii)
To the extent possible, MFN concessions on tariff and
non-tariff measures agreed in the Uruguay Round on products of export
interest to the least-developed countries may be implemented
autonomously, in advance and without staging. Consideration shall be given to further improve GSP and other
schemes for products of particular export interest to least-developed
countries.
(iii)
The rules set out in the various agreements and instruments and
the transitional provisions in the Uruguay Round should be applied in
a flexible and supportive manner for the least-developed countries.
To this effect, sympathetic consideration shall be given to
specific and motivated concerns raised by the least-developed
countries in the appropriate Councils and Committees.
(iv)
In the application of import relief measures and other measures
referred to in paragraph 3(c)
of Article XXXVII of GATT 1947 and the corresponding
provision of GATT 1994, special consideration shall be given to
the export interests of least-developed countries.
(v)
Least-developed countries shall be accorded substantially
increased technical assistance in the development, strengthening and
diversification of their production and export bases including those
of services, as well as in trade promotion, to enable them to maximize
the benefits from liberalized access to markets.
3.
Agree to keep under
review the specific needs of the least-developed countries and to
continue to seek the adoption of positive measures which facilitate
the expansion of trading opportunities in favour of these countries.
|
