27. The representative of Argentina said that her delegation associated itself with the statements made by the representative of Australia. Looking at the problems of implementation facing many developing countries with respect to the TRIPS Agreement and the relevance of those issues in terms of negotiations and taking on board new obligations, it would be essential to bear in mind throughout the negotiations the costs of the various proposals. Her delegation had no difficulties with the programme of work proposed. It also agreed with other delegations that there should be a certain realistic level of flexibility both in terms of submission of proposals as well as deadlines. Like other delegations, it believed that the final text should follow the achievement of consensus on basic issues which, for Argentina, focused mainly on the nature and legal effects of the Agreement. With regard to documentation from the Secretariat or other organizations, her delegation would follow the consensus while not excluding the possibility of the need for technical assistance or technical documents regarding the issues. This was a completely new area to wine producing countries like Argentina. Therefore, it would be even more difficult to participate in the negotiations and the discussions for those countries that were not even producers of these kinds of products. All participants needed to know what they were discussing and negotiating along with what the implications would be for all of them. Those who needed to be most aware of the consequences were developing countries and LDCs.
