MAHMUD MAMMADGULIYEV: “WE WILL TRY TO RETAIN BOUND TARIFFS ON STRATEGIC GOODS IN CURRENT FORM DURING ADMISSION TO WTO”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006
Azerbaijan’s admission tot eh World Trade Organization (WTO) depends
on negotiations conducted by the republic and all talks held in this
direction are progress. Journalists were given this explanation
by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, head of the delegation
representing Azerbaijan in WTO Mahmud Mammadguliyev (APA).
Mr.Mammadguliyev said that nest talks on admission to WTO may be held
in Geneva city of Switzerland at the end of this year.
Mr.Mammadguliyev speaking about the last meeting of the Working Group
held from March 27 to April 1 said that negotiations were held in
three directions – bilateral, multilateral on agricultural issues,
and on preparation to the next meeting of the Working Group: “The
requirements set for Azerbaijan during negotiations were related mainly
to improvement of the legislation in the fields of standardization,
customs, taxes and trade. Our partners are concerned about lack of
progress in this question. We have a plan to solve these problems
at least within two years. Besides, we must make some concessions
and maybe, we will do it. These concessions may be advantageous for
Azerbaijan, too. The main question is the status which Azerbaijan will
be granted when being admitted to the Organization”. According to the
Deputy Minister, the Azerbaijani party is interested in admission to
WTO as a developing country. So, 10% concessions are provided for
the WTO member-countries with this status in internal bounties in
the agricultural field: “Malaysia supported Azerbaijan’s admission
with this status, other partners – both the USA and European Union
countries fell into silence. Most likely, with silence they expressed
their consent”.
The head of the delegation said that negotiations are currently held
with the USA, European Union countries, Canada, Turkey and Japan,
and Norway is expected to join these talks.
It should be noted that one of the requirements set by WTO for
Azerbaijan was reduction of bound tariffs. After admission to the
Organization, maximal level of bound tariffs will be determined.
There two types of bound tariffs in Azerbaijan – applied level
and determined maximal level. The maximal level is not used in
Azerbaijan. When a danger for the market emerges, this opportunity
is used. Very liberal bound tariffs (not exceeding 15%) are applied
in Azerbaijan. In the current proposals, the partners claim that
existing bound tariffs are high and want their reduction. “We will try
to retain bound tariffs on strategic goods, and some agricultural and
industrial sectors in the current form”, – Mr.Mammadguliyev stressed.
Regarding Armenia’s influence on Azerbaijan’s admission to WTO,
the Deputy Minister added that Armenia assumed a WTO commitment
not to impede Azerbaijan’s membership in the Organization. Besides,
Mr.Mammadguliyev commenting Armenia’s situation in the Organization
said that Armenia does not agree to the opportunities gained in WTO:
“They want to have more opportunities, what is inconsistent with the
WTO’s principles and that is why, this problem is not solved in a
positive way. Azerbaijan does not hold any negotiations with Armenia
at preparatory meetings and no talks are possible with that country”.
