Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Secretary-General of WTO sign Headquarters Agreement

2015.6.25

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The State Secretary for Tourism also took part in the event held at Viana Palace. Spain has been a member of the WTO since 1975, the same year as this body set up its headquarters in Madrid. In addition to the WTO, the UN system has various other offices located in Spanish cities.

The Headquarters Agreement signed on Thursday is adapted to present realities and needs, allowing the provisions of the previous agreements in force to be harmonised (the 1975 Agreement relating to the legal status of the organisation in Spain; the 1977 Complementary Agreement on cooperation between the Spanish Government and the WTO; the 1978 Complementary Agreement on certain facilities granted to WTO officials; and the 1980 Special Agreement on the headquarters building of the WTO) in one single text that contains and harmonises the privileges, immunities, exemptions and facilities needed for the smooth operation of the body in Spain.

Among other fundamental aspects, the agreement provides for the possibility of establishing WTO permanent representations in line with its new status as a specialised organisation of the United Nations since 2003. This new framework also takes into consideration the different forms of participation and the new ways in which members of the WTO, regardless of their nature, act on behalf of the organisation. In addition to the 156 States that are members, there are also six associate members and the status of affiliate member exists that is made up by more than 400 organisations that represent the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and tourism promotion bodies, whose status goes beyond that of merely an observer as NGOs are recognised by other United Nations agencies.

Furthermore, the agreement offers a suitable framework for international public servants that work for the WTO which respects the international commitments taken on by Spain and is in accordance with the reality of the multilateral work of the United Nations agencies. This new system will provide a solution to employment, social, fiscal and legal issues that were pending both in terms of international public servants and their families, as well as for employees contracted locally and other categories of individuals and workers in relation to the WTO.

Minister García-Margallo thanked the WTO and its Secretary-General for their predisposition to reach this modern, extensive and innovative agreement and acknowledged the central role played by the organisation in promoting tourism as a responsible, sustainable and accessible activity for everyone, with the aim of maximising the positive effects in economic, social and cultural terms, and reducing negative social and environmental impacts.

Secretary-General Taleb Rifai pointed out that the new agreement will result in a major qualitative change in relations whilst becoming a benchmark agreement. He said that Spain is a country which has become our home.