PRESS RELEASE
PRESS/361
22 October 2003
(03-5597)
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
France donates 100,000 Euros to  WTO technical assistance
On 21 October 2003, the French Government made a contribution of 100,000 euros (150,000
Swiss francs) to the WTO technical assistance fund. This donation, by the French Ministry ofAgriculture, is earmarked to finance activities in 2003 and 2004 related to the implementation of
the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement).
“At this particular time in the life of the WTO, this fresh contribution is a sign of France's renewed
confidence in the multilateral trading system and its supervisory organization,” stated Philippe
Gros, the Permanent Delegate of France to the WTO. “It reflects France's desire to help those of itsdevelopment partners interested in acquiring in-depth knowledge and understanding of the
multilateral trade agreements, in particular the SPS Agreement, given the significance of its
provisions in trade terms.”
“I should like to thank France for its contribution,” said WTO Director-General Supachai
Panitchpakdi. “The technical assistance provided by the WTO is crucial to its developing countryMembers and should help them not only to participate fully in the negotiations currently under
way, but also to continue to implement the existing agreements.”
The SPS Agreement requires WTO Members to base  their sanitary and phytosanitary measures on
scientifically justified requirements. Trade in agricultural products is of particular importance to
most developing countries and an appropriate und erstanding of the SPS Agreement is essential.
END