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BRICS countries support WTO reform - Declaration

The reform should in particular preserve the centrality, core values and fundamental principles of the WTO, and consider the interests of all members, the document says

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. BRICS countries support the required reform of the WTO for solution of global economic problems, the member-states say in the Moscow Declaration posted on the Kremlin’s website on Tuesday.

"We support the necessary reform of the WTO with a view to making it more resilient and effective in confronting global economic challenges and to improve its key functions in the interest of all WTO Members," the Declaration says.

The reform should in particular preserve the centrality, core values and fundamental principles of the WTO, and consider the interests of all members, the document says. "We urge all WTO Members to engage constructively in addressing the need for expeditious restoration of the full-strength Appellate Body," the Declaration noted.

BRICS countries "acknowledge the crucial role of international trade in economic recovery and remain fully committed to a transparent, open, inclusive, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system, as embodied in the World Trade Organization."

"It is critical that all WTO Members avoid unilateral and protectionist measures, that run counter to the spirit and rules of the WTO," the Declaration says.

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