论“加入议定书”在WTO法律体系中的定位

The Legal Status of "Accession Protocols" in the WTO Legal System

"加入议定书"是WTO法律体系中一类独特的法律文件。随着新成员的不断加入,"加入议定书"的数量逐渐增多。由于WTO对"加入议定书"的定位模糊,涉及"加入议定书"条款解释和适用的争端频发。"加入议定书"在WTO法律体系中的定位问题,关乎各方重大贸易利益,重要而复杂。WTO部长会议和总理事会应当履行法定职责,充分尊重多边贸易体制的目标和宗旨,遵循WTO法律原则、规则以及国际法基本原则,将"加入议定书"置于WTO法律体系的整体框架内,妥善处理"加入议定书"与《建立WTO协定》及其附件之间的法律关系,平等保障新成员方应享有的WTO普遍性权利。

'Accession protocols' are unique legal instruments in the WTO legal system.With an increase of new members joining the WTO,the number of ' accession protocols' is also increasing.However,due to the blurred status of 'accession protocols' in the WTO legal system,the disputes relating to the understanding and application of provisions in 'accession protocols' arise frequently.The status of 'accession protocols' in the WTO legal system is very important,because it involves the fundamental trade interests of new members.Therefore,WTO Ministerial Conference and General Council should fulfill their statutory duties to mitigate potential challenges posed by the possible legal uncertainty of ' accession protocols' through three different ways:to pursue the aims of the multilateral trading system,to adhere to and promote WTO principles and rules as well as the basic principles of international law,and in particularly to situate 'accession protocols' within the overall WTO legal framework.This paper proposes that WTO Ministerial Conference and General Council should properly address the relationship between the 'accession protocols' and the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and its annexes so as to safeguard the legal rights and interests of new WTO members better.