12 February 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today congratulated Japan’s Ambassador to the WTO, Shotaro Oshima who became the Chair of the World Trade Organization's General Council yesterday.  The Secretary also welcomed the decision of the WTO General Council to admit Iraq as an observer in the WTO.

“We congratulate Ambassador Oshima and offer our support as he takes on the many challenges that face the WTO.  Ambassador Oshima was previously in charge of the WTO committee overseeing trade disputes and has a clear idea of the importance of addressing the serious concerns of the developing countries, concerns that need to be addressed to ensure the success of the WTO,” Secretary Albert said.

The World Trade Organization's General Council is composed of representatives of the 146 members of the organization and is the main decision-making body of the WTO.  The WTO’s General Council meets in Geneva.

“I would also like to welcome the decision of the General Council of the WTO to admit Iraq as an observer in the WTO.  We see this decision as an important one, not only for the future of the people of Iraq but also in terms of efforts to begin healing the divisions brought about by the Iraq issue,” Secretary Albert said.  “I would like to add that, subject to the processes of the WTO, we continue to be generally supportive of the efforts of other countries to be a meaningful part of the WTO,” the Secretary added.

“As an active member of the WTO, we fully intend to continue our advocacy on behalf of the need to ensure that international trade will not only be  liberalized but will also be made fair, taking into full account the particular
needs of developing nations and the need to encourage stability in world markets,” the Secretary said.  Secretary Albert has been deeply involved in the participation of the Philippines in the WTO as Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations. END.