TNC 28 July 2005 (General Council 29 July 2005)
Statement by Norway

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me first of all to join other speakers in thanking the chairmen of the negotiating groups for their reports to the TNC. Together with your report on how you see the situation they make clear that there is a lot of work needed between now and the Hong Kong Ministerial meeting. Let me assure you that we are prepared to do our part.

Mr. Chairman,

Regarding Agriculture, Switzerland presented a statement on behalf of the G-10. We fully endorse that statement. Let me emphasize three points from the Norwegian perspective:

• first, we remain firmly opposed to a tariff cap;

• second, that we cannot disregard the different situations and sensitivities across the Membership. “One size fits all” solutions will be neither feasible nor desirable. As we work towards consensual solutions, the differences in current tariff structures must be taken into account through flexibilities in the tariff formula and flexibilities for sensitive products; and

• third, that providing sufficient flexibilities to deal with the diversities among Members, which is key to a balanced outcome, does not imply that some Members are getting “off the hook”, but only that a few small countries cannot be required to make considerably larger contributions that those of the majority of the membership.

Mr. Chairman,

In order for this round to be successful, not just for us, but for all the members of this house, there is a need for an appropriate balance to be struck. This applies both within the separate negotiating areas as well as between the areas. Parallell progress is required in all areas of negotiations by the time we arrive in Hong Kong. For this round to deliver on its promises we must not just get agriculture right, but also have parallell results in the other areas of negotiations. Our ambitions for this round remain high.

Turning to NAMA, we welcome the report by the Chairman, and trust that under his skilful chairmanship we will be able to deliver results by Hong Kong. We agree with the Chairman that the time has come to start discussing numbers and the linkage between ambition and flexibilities. The negotiations have shown that developing Members have different needs and interests. We therefore need to pursue an approach that gives developing Members some flexibility in how they contribute in NAMA.

In Services the picture is bleaker, and I am frankly not sure where these negotiations are going. We have noted the chairmans call on us to search for avenues to get progress, and will do our best this coming fall to ensure that the service negotiations can also deliver results in Hong Kong.

Rules is another key issue for Norway in these negotiations. We require substantial results in Rules, and we must have parallell progress in Rules by Hong Kong. This requires that we enter into real text-based negotiations in Rules by Hong Kong. Ministers must at the 6 ^th> Ministerial meeting in Hong Kong give firm and clear guidance and direction – with a sufficiently high degree specificity – to guarantee a result that is meaningful to us in 2006.

Mr. Chairman,

We welcome the progress in Trade Facilitation. We are fully aware of the needs for technical assistance, which features prominently in the mandate. I can assure you that this part of the mandate will not be forgotten.

A word, Mr. Chairman, on the “development aspects” of these negotiations. We all recognize the need to ensure that this round must deliver on “development”. Over the last months, the CTD in special session has concentrated on 5 proposals by the LDCs. Progress has been good, and there has been a clear convergence on some issues, but unfortunately we are not quite there yet. Norway will continue to participate actively in these negotiations, and work constructively towards results in Hong Kong.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would like to underline that we have to see to it that the further process is transparent and inclusive, so that all Members are on board.

As others, I request that this statement also be reflected in the minutes of the General Council meeting.

Thank you.