Azerbaijan, Baku, May 16 / Trend I. Khalilova /
The Azerbaijani government continued to maintain its positions in bilateral talks in Geneva regarding entry of the country in the World Trade Organization, negotiating group head, Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev said.
"Talks were held with 8 countries-members of WTO, including Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, Sri-Lanka and India. These countries insisted that Azerbaijan will make concessions by reducing tariffs in agriculture and industry and liberalized several sectors of services."
He said that the talks were held tensely despite each country has its position. They all as WTO members ask for concessions.
"We do not make any concessions on major issues. We informed countries with whom we held talks about it. We consider that our proposals good. They offer to reduce tariffs on agriculture but we could not act this way as it is serious sector for Azerbaijan. All actions taken to support it within acting state programs are reasonable", head of negotiating group said.
The Azerbaijani government submitted new proposals on goods and services to hold bilateral talks. These proposals were prepared in accordance with issues submitted at previous meetings in 2008.
"We also indicated in our proposals that decision of the government on release of agrarian sector from taxation (except for tax on land) will be valid till 2014. The country does not plan to change it," Mammadguliyev said.
Several countries suggest reducing customs tariffs by fixing them lower than 15 percent. Presently, it is maximal rate of customs duties in Azerbaijan, he said. But the Azerbaijani government suggests customs tariffs of 30 percent and higher. Azerbaijan suggested tariffs in case of unexpected circumstances to protect local production.
Consultations were also held with UNCTAD representatives (UN Conference on Trade and Development) in Geneva. These consultations were useful as answers on questions of WTO countries-members and other issues were discussed, Mammadguliyev said.
UNCTAD renders Azerbaijan expert support.
Presently, Azerbaijan holds negotiations with the USA, Japan, brazil, Ecuador, Sri-Lanka, EU, Norway, India, South Korea, Chinese province of Taiwan. Switzerland joined these countries in 2008.
Presently, talks were completed. The protocol was signed with Turkey, Oman Sultanate and UAE. Te country is at the stage of signing the protocol with Moldova that considers the document. But Kyrgyzstan and Georgia have agreed and this procedure can be held at regular meeting of the inter-governmental commission.
Azerbaijan has been represented in WTO as supervisor since 1997.
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