Trade Minister Lockwood Smith officially opened new offices today for the New Zealand Mission to the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations in Geneva.
The dawn ceremony had a strong New Zealand flavour, including a formal Hiki Tapu performed by Kaumatua and Huia from Te
Arawa. The ceremony was attended by Australian Trade minister Mark Vaile, WTO Director General Mike Moore and his wife
Yvonne, Chairman of the WTO General Council Mchumo, and other invited guests from the diplomatic community.
Dr Smith is in Geneva en route to Lausanne for an informal meeting of 22 Trade Ministers, the core of which represents
the 'Friends of the New Round' group of countries, which are working to ensure the successful launch of a new round of
trade negotiations in the WTO. This Ministerial meeting is the final preparatory session for the Third WTO Ministerial
in Seattle, which it is hoped will launch a new round of trade negotiations.
"A new round is very important for New Zealand, and my visit to Geneva and Lausanne is crucial to advance our interest
in achieving better market access for agriculture, as well as industrials and trade in services, " Dr Smith said.
On arrival in Geneva, Dr Smith has had bilateral meetings with the new European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and
WTO Director General Rt Hon. Mike Moore to discuss progress toward the Seattle Ministerial.
"Although there is broad support for the launch of a new round of trade negotiations, it is clear that we still have
some way to go to build consensus on the scope of the agenda for Seattle." Dr Smith said.
"I had a very constructive discussion with Commissioner Lamy regarding the European Union's and New Zealand's objectives
for a new round. Commissioner Lamy demonstrated a real commitment to a round which could be concluded within three
years, and I am looking forward to working with him to achieve this goal.
"Likewise, it was useful to meet with WTO Director General Mike Moore and gain his view of progress in the lead up to
Seattle, " Dr Smith said.
Dr Smith departs Geneva for Lausanne this afternoon to join Ministerial colleagues from the Quad (The U.S, EU, Canada
and Japan), leading developing economies including Brazil, Egypt and India, and other countries which, like New Zealand,
support the launch of a new WTO negotiating round at Seattle.
ENDS