ASEAN leaders call for early resumption of global trade talks
CEBU, Philippines - Southeast Asian leaders called Saturday on the world's major powers to break the deadlock in global trade talks and move towards an early conclusion of the so-called Doha round.
In a statement the leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said World Trade Organisation members -- especially the major players -- must show flexibility and display resolve to end the round in a timely manner. A successful outcome, they said, would spur economic growth and reduce global poverty. The statement said an early breakthrough in what it described as "critical negotiating areas" such as agriculture was needed before the talks could be put back on track. The World Trade Organsisation suspended the Doha Round last July after negotiators from six major parties, including the United States, European Union, Brazil and India, failed to reach agreement after five years of talks. The round, launched in the Qatari capital in November 2001, is at an impasse, with Western and developing countries split on issues such as agricultural subsidies and market access. "The major players in the Round -- both developed and developing -- must show the requisite leadership and political will to create the basis for the successful conclusion of the Round," said the statement at the end of ASEAN's annual summit. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Agence France-Presse
|
