Which of the following were the aims behind the setting up of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? 1. Promotion of free trade and resource flows across countries. 2. Protection of intellectual property rights. 3. Managing balanced trade between different countries. 4. Promotion of trade between the former East Bloc countries and the western world. Select the correct answer by using the codes given below: Codes:

1. The question asks about the aims behind the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO). 2. Statement 1: Promotion of free trade and reduction of trade barriers to encourage resource flows across countries is a primary objective of the WTO. This is correct. 3. Statement 2: Protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) is explicitly included in the WTO framework through the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement. This is correct. 4. Statement 3: Managing balanced trade (e.g., ensuring imports equal exports) between countries is generally *not* an explicit aim of the WTO. The focus is on rule-based free and fair trade, not managing trade balances. This is incorrect. 5. Statement 4: Promoting trade specifically between former East Bloc countries and the western world might be a consequence of global trade liberalization, but it was not a specific foundational aim of the WTO, which has a global mandate. This is incorrect. 6. Therefore, the correct aims listed are 1 and 2.