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TWN
Info Service on UN Sustainable Development (Jun22/02) Geneva, 13 Jun (D. Ravi Kanth) — Trade ministers from more than three dozen countries on 12 June issued a joint statement at the WTO’s 12th ministerial conference (MC12) stating their “support for, and solidarity with the people of Ukraine”, but Russia warned not to “politicize” the trade body, said people, who asked not to be quoted. In the joint statement signed by the United States, the European Union (comprising 27 members), as well as Albania, Norway, Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and several South American countries, the trade ministers expressed their grief and deep sadness “at the devastating human losses and profound suffering caused by the aggression against Ukraine.” The signatories said “the war is also having a devastating impact, including on Ukraine’s economy and ability to trade.” They said, “the destruction of a significant part of Ukraine’s transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports and railroads, is substantially impeding Ukraine’s ability to produce, export, and import.” Expressing grave concern “about the consequences of this destruction for Ukraine and for global trade, in particular as regards the supply to international markets of a number of key commodities produced by Ukraine, including agricultural and food products, fertilisers, sunflower oil, and critical minerals,” the signatories said that “we are also deeply concerned by numerous reports of grain being plundered from Ukraine … These actions are at odds with the principles and values of the WTO.” Elaborating on the “food security impacts”, which “are dramatic for those directly affected in Ukraine but are not just restricted to Ukraine and its citizens,” the signatories argued that Ukraine is the world’s top exporter of key agricultural products like wheat, maize, barley, and sunflower oil and Ukraine is “a major supplier to the World Food Programme.” RUSSIA’S REBUTTAL Significantly, when Russia started responding to the charges leveled against Moscow, all the signatories left the room one-by-one in grim protest. Russia’s deputy economy minister Mr Vladimir Ilchev hit back by suggesting that attempts to “politicize” the WTO are wrong. He made a detailed statement explaining how Russia is addressing the food security issue. In its statement issued at MC12, Russia said that Moscow “continues to remain a staunch supporter of the rules-based multilateral trading system, as embodied in the WTO.” Russia said “this unique instrument – our common accomplishment – is invaluable in promoting smooth, predictable and free trade flows around the world. Today, the system of global trade governance is facing a serious crisis of confidence in it.” Despite numerous challenges facing the WTO, Russia said, “but now, in the aftermath of the pandemic and further threatened by the sharp rise of unilateralism, protectionism, encroaching food and energy security risks and overall recession of global economy, we are more than ever in need of the WTO.” +
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