Measures against Qatar in compliance with WTO regulations

CAIRO, 2 July:Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the legality of the measures they took against Qatar, based on the practice of their sovereign rights guaranteed by the International law and the protection of their national security.

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment said that the statement was made on the sidelines of WTO's Goods Trade Council’s meeting which was held in the Swiss city of Geneva Saturday regarding the compliance of the decisions taken by Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain with the organization’s laws.

The four states asserted in a joint statement that was issued during the above mentioned meeting that all the measures taken against the tiny emirate did not violate the WTO’s laws which allow the member states to confront the countries which pose a threat against to their national security.

The statement said that all the member states have the right to take actions to preserve their stability and interest according to the article 21 of the trade in goods general agreement.

Article 14 of the Services Agreement and Article 73 of the Intellectual Property Agreement, which were signed by the member countries, also guarantee all sovereign rights for the countries to take any procedure to protect their national security and stability against whatever violations they might be subject to.