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The WTO Working Party on the Accession of Lithuania has approved the country's membership documents, which now go to the General Council for final approval at its 7-8 December 2000 meeting.

WTO Director-General Mike Moore said Lithuania's forthcoming full participation in the WTO "should help buttress the country's impressive reform programme and bring further tangible economic benefits to her citizens". Lithuania has committed itself to the ratification of the WTO accession instruments by 1 May 2001. It would become a member 30 days after notifying the WTO of ratification.

Agriculture was a major issue during the negotiations. Lithuania is now committed to a reduction of 20 percent over five years of domestic subsidies that are subject to disciplines under the WTO agreement on agriculture. It also pledged to eliminate agricultural export subsidies upon accession.

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