HOLY SEE ADDRESSES WTO CONFERENCE IN MEXICO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 2003 (VIS) - A delegation from the Holy See, led by Msgr. Frank Dewane, under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, attended the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization which met in Cancun, Mexico from September 10 to 14. The Holy See has observer status at the WTO.

In his address today, Msgr. Dewane said this conference "represents a time of hope" but for this to be realized "all here present must remain faithful to the promises and commitments made to the poor in Doha (in 2001). There has been unsatisfactory progress in the areas of trade for the poorest countries, Bold and decisive action is needed that will have positive implications for development."

He noted that the Holy See's participation in such meetings "springs from its characteristic and constant concern for humanity" and its interest in "all issues that affect the dignity of the human person." He added that "trade should benefit people and not just markets and economies. Trade rules ... have a political and social nature, with deep and lasting consequences in the life of humanity. ... They must conform to the demands of social justice while enabling and fostering human development."

Msgr. Dewane referred to several of the Agreements signed in Doha which are under review in Mexico. He spoke in particular of the Agreement on Agriculture, saying that "agriculture products that are staple foods and on which low-income and poor farmers are dependent should be given special consideration in the context of tariff reductions. These reductions in poor countries, along with the effects of export subsidies and domestic supports in and dumping from developed countries, are particularly harmful for small farmers, Still, any temptation by developing countries towards a crude protectionist path should be avoided."

Msgr. Dewane concluded by stating that "the Holy See wishes to associate itself with those who support consideration for the particular needs of the African continent to experience the development that trade can provide. Africa today remains a continent at risk, fragile in terms of trade relations and the corresponding benefits."

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