Statement by U.S. Ambassador Rita D. Hayes
Regarding Albania's WTO Accession
July 18, 2000

The United States warmly welcomes Albania's successful completion of the negotiation of its accession to the World Trade Organization and the presence here today of Albania's Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade with her distinguished delegation. We recall that Albania first requested accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1992 and that the contracting parties to the GATT established an accession working party in December 1992. In January 1995 this important work was transferred to the World Trade Organization.

During this time frame, as Albania went though a period of great difficulty, we were impressed by the tremendous effort that it put into the accession negotiations. As highlighted in the statement today by Minister Meksi, we note that Albania chose to make WTO accession one of its most important economic policy objectives. Of particular note is the importance that Albania attaches to WTO membership as a pillar of economic development and stability. We very much look forward to working with Albania as a member of the WTO.