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| High Hopes for New Round of Trade Talks in Doha |
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SAT, NOV 10, 2001
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We begin the Qatari capital Doha where delegates from more than 140 WTO member economies are set to decide whether to launch more trade talks. Supporters say a new round of talks will boost global economic confidence amid the worldwide slump.
At the opening ceremony, Mike Moore, the WTO Chief said that the organization is much better prepared than the last time they met in Seattle.
"The issues facing ministers this week are essentially the same as those we faced and failed to resolve at our conference in Seattle two years ago, but we are now much better prepared to deal with them." Mike Moore, WTO Director General said.
Over the past two years, the WTO has learned important lessons from its experiences.This year the talks will be centered around development issues and a fuller integration of the developing world. Among the most deeply divisive issues are those around agricultural trade, patent-related access to medicine for developing countries, trade and environmental concerns, as well as anti-dumping concerns.
For the organization itself, the Doha meeting will be crucial. If the new round of talks is not launched, the organization may fall into disarray.
"When countries will turn to bilateral and regional arrangement and WTO might simply become a forum for settling disputes between members, not a force for further liberalization." Stuart W. Harbinson, the Chairman of WTO General Council said.
As the newest-to-be member at the meeting, China has shown its clear support for the new round of talks, but with three prerequisites.
"Firstly, the implementation concern of the developing countries should be given priority. Secondly, the negotiation agenda should be balanced, with a special concern for developing countries. Thirdly, negotiations should be launched in a package, to ensure openness and rule-based trade agreements. " Li Enheng, Deputy Permanent Representative of China's Mission to Geneva said.
In the days ahead, the ministers will review three draft documents. Compared to the documents prepared for Seattle, these are much shorter. As WTO Dirctor General Mike Moore said, deep differences remain but the drafts have provided a good basis for work and decision making.
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