Interviews
Lamy: No ambitious Doha result possible unless all parties gain
14 Jun '10
5 min read
I also emphasized the importance of delivering on the development dimension of this negotiation. At a time where aid budgets are being severely squeezed, the DDA offers specific and tangible opportunities in each and every negotiating area to improve the ability of developing countries to trade and further integrate into the world economy. Maintaining our resolve to deliver on the development promise of the Doha Round remains more important than ever before.
I also emphasized to Ministers the lessons we have been able to draw from the regular reports on protectionist measures taken over the last year or so. And while we cannot be complacent, we have not witnessed the kind of high intensity forms of protectionism many have feared at the outset of the crisis. The objectives of keeping trade open and showing the WTO system of multilateral rules work has been an important signal to send to the world economy. I called on Ministers to send out strong and unequivocal messages of political confidence and determination which could be translated into concrete action and solid progress here at the Geneva negotiating table.
As far as the discussions at both of these meetings go, they confirmed that all remain determined to keep finding ways to conclude the Round through the cocktail approach consisting of bilateral, plurilateral and horizontal processes which I outlined at the General Council meeting in May. There was general agreement that at this time such processes should be given time and space to pursue their quiet diplomacy. Both gatherings of Ministers left the impression that the time had come to shift from a 'defensive' to an 'offensive' stance — where in 2009 our focus was on fighting protectionist tendencies, the 2010 focus will be on making the case for the Doha Round as a low cost fiscal stimulus package for all.
Finally, Ministers also expressed their commitment to utilize constructively upcoming meetings on the international agenda, including the meeting of the G20 in Toronto later this month, to maintain the focus on the need to conclude the Doha Round as soon as possible.
Collective review and assessment of the many simultaneous processes under the DDA will guide me in my report to the G20 on trade.
Click here for more details
I also emphasized to Ministers the lessons we have been able to draw from the regular reports on protectionist measures taken over the last year or so. And while we cannot be complacent, we have not witnessed the kind of high intensity forms of protectionism many have feared at the outset of the crisis. The objectives of keeping trade open and showing the WTO system of multilateral rules work has been an important signal to send to the world economy. I called on Ministers to send out strong and unequivocal messages of political confidence and determination which could be translated into concrete action and solid progress here at the Geneva negotiating table.
As far as the discussions at both of these meetings go, they confirmed that all remain determined to keep finding ways to conclude the Round through the cocktail approach consisting of bilateral, plurilateral and horizontal processes which I outlined at the General Council meeting in May. There was general agreement that at this time such processes should be given time and space to pursue their quiet diplomacy. Both gatherings of Ministers left the impression that the time had come to shift from a 'defensive' to an 'offensive' stance — where in 2009 our focus was on fighting protectionist tendencies, the 2010 focus will be on making the case for the Doha Round as a low cost fiscal stimulus package for all.
Finally, Ministers also expressed their commitment to utilize constructively upcoming meetings on the international agenda, including the meeting of the G20 in Toronto later this month, to maintain the focus on the need to conclude the Doha Round as soon as possible.
Collective review and assessment of the many simultaneous processes under the DDA will guide me in my report to the G20 on trade.
Click here for more details
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