| Statement by H. E. Ambassador Sun Zhenyu on Election of Chairpersons of WTO Bodies |
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| Saturday,February 09,2008 Posted: 01:50 BJT(1750 GMT) |
| From:wto mission Article type:Original |
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
This is a very special occasion for us. We are celebrating the start of the New Year, and celebrating the elections of the New Chairs of WTO. I would like to congratulate the incoming Chairpersons of the various bodies and wish them every success in the busy and tough year of the RAT. China, like other Members is confident that they will provide Members with the strong leadership in the year ahead to ensure the smooth operation of the WTO including negotiations for a successful conclusion of the Doha Round.
I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to all of the outgoing Chairpersons for their great dedication to the work of chairing their respective bodies throughout last year.
My very special tribute is paid to you, Ambassador Noor, for the excellent work you have done to guarantee the normal function of WTO at a rather delicate and different period.
Some people say that the difference between real diplomats and pure negotiators is that diplomats from time to time use their ears while trade negotiators don’t use them very often. I must say that you, Ambassador Noor, are a first class diplomat with your own style as a sympathetic listener, and a soft-spoken but articulated and convincing lecturer.
During your term as Chairman of the General Council, you have helped building trust and confidence among Members and you have been instrumental in bridging many differences among Members through quiet diplomacy no matter whether it is on the proper agenda of the DDA negotiations, or on the accession negotiations or on the selection of Chairs of relevant councils and bodies.
You have won great admiration from Members, which I believe has definitely added credit to Malaysia, to Asia and to the Organization as a whole. I hope you will continue to play the strong leadership role after today’s meeting. Now you have the permanent gavel from the D.G., you can use it often at least at home or in your own Mission.
While we are sorry for your departure from the post, we have full trust on your successor, Bruce, as the next Chairman of the General Council. He has already demonstrated his great skill and capacity at providing the leadership for this Organization and at handling crisis we faced in the past as Chairman of the DSB and as the coordinator of the Cairns Group. I have no doubt that he will do a great job and we look forward to working very closely with him and giving him whatever support necessary in the days and months to come.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
(6 February, 2008)
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