PARIS - An unofficial World Trade Organisation meeting convened on Wednesday at the Australian Embassy in Paris to discuss the future of the negotiations, it was reported.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Ministry of Finance, Minister of Finance Kemal Unakitan represented Turkey at this unofficial WTO meeting with limited attendance.
Unakitan updated the participants about the latest situation in negotiations and once more underlined the priorities of Turkey in agriculture, industry and textile sectors.
Following are the views put forth by Minister Unakitan at the meeting:
"Turkey suggests customs taxes on agricultural products to be gradually lowered. We are determined to protect our agriculture considering its share in employment and economy.
Turkey adjusted its customs taxation to the EU in the process that started with the Customs Union Agreement. Therefore we demand EU countries to lower the high customs tax rates they apply to Turkey.
Turkey has started initiatives under the Doha talks for a special status to be granted to textile and garment sectors in order to protect our traditional export markets against unfair competition considering the great share these sectors hold in employment and exports."