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WTO Ministers' Meeting Ends in Mexico |
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MON, SEP 03, 2001
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In Mexico, where hopes are rising for a new round of world trade talks as trade ministers from around the globe wrap up an informal, two-day meeting. Despite not producing a concrete decision, the meeting has helped dispel some misunderstandings on major trade issues. The ministers have been trying to resolve differences ahead of November's World Trade Organisation Summit in the Qatari capital of Doha.
Participants at the meeting included trade ministers from 15 countries and representatives of the European Union and Hong Kong of China. WTO Director General Mike Moore warned that failure to launch a new round could do damage to the faltering world economy.
Mike Moore,WTO President,said:"Industry, commerce, businesspeople, unions start to get more anxious in times of slowdown in terms of jobs and profits. And we can see glimmers of that in various places. That is even more reason why members of the WTO have to accommodate each other's needs so that at Dohar they can send a clear signal to the global economy that we're engaged and that we're not going backwards."
The Mexican authorities maintained a heavy security presence during the meeting for fear of anti-globalisation protests. Labour unions, students and farmers took to the streets but no major clashes were reported.
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