implementation of the provisions for special

and differential treatment

Statement by Thailand at the Meeting of 21-22 June 2000

            First of all, I would like to express my delegation's appreciation to the WTO Secretariat for its excellent paper, G/SPS/W/105, submitted for our consideration.

            My concern is on language translation.  I would like to recall the recommendations of the Committee on SPS during 10-11 March 1999, as appears in document G/SPS/7/Rev.1.  According to the recommendations, Members were advised and  quote "when documents are not available in a WTO working language, developed country Members shall, upon request, supply a translation of the document, in a WTO working language".

            In this regard, my delegation would like to urge Members, especially developed countries, to follow these recommendations accordingly.

            Finally, Thailand fully joins with my developing country colleagues in supporting Articles 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 as indicated in the document.