MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO TURKMENISTAN'S ACCESSION TO THE WTO

On October 8, 2020, a meeting of the Government Commission was held via videoconference to study issues related to Turkmenistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan V.Hajiev, heads and representatives of a number of relevant ministries and departments of the country took part in the meeting from the Turkmen side. The delegation of the World Trade Organization was headed by the Director of the Department for Accession to the WTO, Ms. Maika Oshikawa.

During the videoconference, the parties discussed in detail all the points of the draft "Plan of joint actions" on interaction of Turkmenistan with the WTO and considered issues related to the adoption of this document.

The parties also exchanged views on the draft Action Plan for the development of a Memorandum on the foreign trade regime of Turkmenistan, prepared as part of the technical support of the Asian Development Bank.

During the meeting, the Turkmen side emphasized that within the framework of the recent annual meeting of the People's Assembly of Turkmenistan, chaired by the President of Turkmenistan, it was announced that the acquisition of the observer status in the WTO by our country would ensure the harmonious development of the national economy, strengthening our positions in foreign trade relations and building up multilateral cooperation.

The Turkmen side also proposed to organize in the near future a round table dedicated to the acquisition of the observer status in the WTO by Turkmenistan.

In conclusion, the participants considered a number of priority issues regarding the continuation of work to enhance cooperation between Turkmenistan and the WTO and further strengthen bilateral partnership with this organization.