November 15, 2001	Thursday	Shaba’an 28, 1422

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DOHA, Nov 14: The World Trade Organisation agreed late Wednesday to new global tariff-slashing talks after India finally lifted an eleventh-hour opposition to the negotiations expected to start next year.

Pakistan said yes to the pact which experts say is needed to boost flagging world economic growth.

But Pakistani officials said it was important that future negotiations reflected the “development agenda.”

Indian Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran told reporters Delhi had been worried at references in the final text to negotiations on investment rules.

But a separate statement clarifying the issue ensured that investment talks could not be launched without the “explicit consensus” of all WTO members, he said.

The six-day negotiating marathon brought developing countries benefits regarding access to medicines and a commitment by the US and the EU to speed up textile liberalisation.

Although no dates were set for a faster “growth on growth” removal of quotas, experts said textile exporting nations had managed to secure a confirmation that textile trade restrictions would be removed as promised in 2005.

Developing nations were especially successful in fighting off an EU imposed agenda on environmental issues.

The WTO text says that negotiations could start in two years on environmental issues but no firm dates are set.

The EU agreed to a phasing out of its farm export subsidies — but insisted that this did not prejudge the pace of reductions.