Seventh St. Petersburg International
Economic Forum
(St. Petersburg, 18-20 June 2003)
Statement by Mrs. Brigita
Schmögnerová,
Executive Secretary
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me at this point,
in my capacity as Executive Secretary
of the UNECE, to share with you some findings
of the Commission that could be of relevance
for the discussion at this Forum.
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On the basis of
the assessment of the progress in
reforms in the CIS in all key areas
such as: liberalization, taxation,
privatization, restructuring, legal
reforms, it can be concluded that
the CIS countries are faced with numerous
reform challenges, which differ from
country to country depending upon
their achievements. Some CIS countries
are very slow reformers with a lack
of commitment to basic reforms. In
most other CIS countries there is
a general need for a more consistent
approach and for a consolidation of
reform. The most advanced reformers
face important challenges in implementing
the reforms as mentioned by Mr. Lemierre,
President of the EBRD. The most advanced
reformers could serve as an engine
for the progress of reform in other
CIS countries. Clearly there is a
need for convergence in reforms that
is necessary for the sustainability
of economic and fiscal development
and the deepening of economic integration
in the CIS.
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The Secretary-General
in his message to you made reference
to the history of EU-enlargement and
the need to avoid new divides between
the enlarged EU and the non-acceding
countries. In our analyses we assume
that when macroeconomic and liberalization
effects are taken into account, the
net aggregate impact of EU enlargement
on non-acceding countries is likely
to be positive. There are some areas
where the impact could be significantly
negative and areas - such as energy
- where prospects to find solutions
to outstanding issues are relatively
good. Much will be dependent on the
supply responses in the non-acceding
countries, including climate for new
investments, particularly FDI, and
progress in reforms.
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To minimize likely
negative shorter-term impacts of EU
enlargement on the non-acceding countries,
the EU has developed a project "Wider
Europe", focused on a new neighbourhood
policy. We strongly believe that this
project should include not only new
neighbouring countries (Belarus, Republic
of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine)
but should also be open to other CIS
countries if interested. The EU should
take one step forward. It is important
that the progress is accelerated and
takes into consideration the legitimate
interests of all parties.
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The above process
might transform an enhanced "Wider
Europe" into a free-trade area. The
development of trade arrangements
in the CIS could be a start and a
vehicle to a wider Europe free-trade
area from which all members could
benefit. This process cannot be separated
from the preparation of CIS countries
which are not members of the WTO,
for their accession to WTO. Most of
the CIS Governments are more concerned
with the terms of WTO accession than
with the speed of accession. At the
same time, it should be considered
that making progress towards WTO accession
is consistent with the development
of Regional Trade Agreements in the
CIS and a condition for economic cooperation
in wider Europe, as already mentioned.
Finally, the economic
situation in the world economy 2003 is
not encouraging and there are considerable
downside risks to global growth. The CIS
economies in recent years have been the
fastest growing economies in the UNECE
region which includes 55 countries. For
them to continue to play some role as
growth engine will depend very much on
decision-makers and the ability of their
policies to respond adequately to challenges.
I hope that this Forum will provide some
impetus to the proper decision-making
of all key players.
Thank you for your attention.
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