Doha negotiations discussion in London, this week

13 Mar '06

3 min read

Trade negotiators from the EU, the US, Brazil, India, Japan and Australia will meet in London this week for two days of talks intended to move forward the ongoing WTO Doha negotiations.

With negotiators committed to resolving some key issues by the end of April 2006, this meeting will be an important chance for some of the major players to close the ground between them.

The aim is to put trade at the service of development, create consensus and give impetus to the wider negotiations in Geneva. The European Union, which will chair the meeting, will be represented by Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said: "I am convening this meeting to try and narrow some differences between some key players. We came out of Hong Kong with a pretty clear idea of what we have to address and how we have to read across the whole understanding, but without an agreed level of ambition.”

“Progress does not depend on unilateral moves by particular players but on what everyone can put into the mix together. I have a fairly good idea of where Europe can end up eventually but moving the EU will really depend not just on our red lines but the overall balance. Europe is prepared to give a lot, and to give more than others. But we cannot give for nothing in return."

EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said: "With the end of April just weeks away, this is a very timely meeting."

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