BRUSSELS, Nov 6: Europe’s Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler said on Tuesday the European Union would take a fair but tough line on agricultural issues at the World Trade Organization talks in Doha, Qatar later this week.
He said that contrary to previous trade negotiations, the EU would take an offensive position at the talks, at which ministers hope to launch a new global trade round.
We’re going to play fair but we’re going to play hard, Fischler said, describing the EU’s tactics for the Doha game.
In the past we have tried to put all 11 players in goal to try and prevent the other side from scoring.
That isn’t our position any more, we are prepared to play a more open offensive game, he said, continuing the soccer metaphor.
And hopefully we’ll score the odd goal ourselves.
Fischler said the EU would stick to its position that it was willing to make concessions on issues such as reduction in export subsidies, but wanted other forms of aids, such as export credits, widely used by the United States, treated equally.
No one has been able to explain to me why we in the EU have to further dismantle our export subsidies whereas all other forms will be allowed to stand.
All categories of trade-distorting export aids should be the subject of restriction, Fischler added.
DOHA: WTO Director General Mike Moore arrived on Tuesday in the Qatari capital saying he was hopeful agreement would be reached on a new round of trade liberalization talks during the 142-member organization’s conference which opens in Doha on Friday.
Moore was quoted by the official QNA news agency as saying that differences persisted over issues such as agriculture, health and the environment.
But he said he expected the meeting to reach positive results that would help the world economy, according to QNA.
The state news agency also quoted Moore as praising the huge preparations laid on by the Qatari govenment to host the conference, which he said would be attended by ministers from all but “one or two” WTO members, who would send lower-level representatives.
An estimated 4,500 people, including 2,000 government delegates, 700 journalists and 600 representatives of non-governmental organizations, are expected in Doha for the five-day meeting.
Qatar came close to losing its chance to host the WTO conference as members questioned the wisdom of convening a huge meeting in the Gulf state at a time when the United States and Britain were attacking Afghanistan, a fellow Muslim country.
But following repeated security assurances from Qatari authorities, the WTO chose to go ahead in Doha.—Reuters/AFP
