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Report
No.240204 |
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- International - |
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Pascal Lamy Hints at Next March for Possible Breakthrough of WTO Talks Ministers of the G20 (a group of influential developing countries) meeting in Brazil up to September 10 unanimously agreed to make efforts to resume the Doha Development Round talks under the World Trade Organization, which was put to freeze in July. Non-G20 countries such as Japan, the United States of America and the European Union were also invited to attend. On September 10, WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, commenting on the Doha round stalled since the end of July due to impasse on agriculture subsidies and market access etc., hinted at his idea of suggesting a direction of an agreement by around middle of March 2007. By that time, one will hopefully be able to have a clearer picture of what might become of the presidential trade promotion authority and how debates unveil on the next farm bill in the United States. Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, commenting on a unanimous recognition expressed on the importance of resuming the Doha round stalled since July, told a press meeting on September 10 that "the sun is rising again." The minister further emphasized saying "Japan has hitherto worked for a successful round with support given to developing countries as a matter of first priority. Japan would, on the occasion of the Rio ministerial meeting, like to make further updated version of its development initiative for the least developed countries." After returning to the home country, Minister Nakagawa, commenting on the intent of WTO Director-General, revealed a prospect that the agricultural negotiations will virtually resume saying "come middle to end of October, there might be moves to put an end to the freeze of negotiations." |
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