EU Trade Commissioner Calls For Doha Deal

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

03 December 2008

European Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Business Europe President Ernest-Antoine Seillière have urged trade ministers to jump the final hurdle on the Doha round of trade talks when they meet later this month.

Ashton and Seillière called on trade ministers to reach an agreement on a framework for a final deal in the world trade talks, following their recent meeting in Paris where they discussed the interest of European business in this regard.

Ashton and Seillière welcomed the fact that world leaders meeting recently in both Washington, under the auspices of the G20 group of nations, and Lima, under the banner of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group of nations, have spoken in the strongest and most unambiguous manner ever in favour of concluding a world trade deal.

Seillière said: “We want Commissioner Ashton to go to Geneva in mid-December to finalise the core issues of the Doha Round. This is vital to prevent rising protectionism during the financial crisis. At this stage of the negotiations, we need a strong focus on industrial market access – especially on possible sectoral tariff agreements with developed and emerging nations. This will be a huge step toward concluding this very important trade round for the benefit of all companies.”

Ashton added: “I welcome the support of Business Europe for concluding an ambitious and balanced Doha deal. I will push strongly for more open markets with my fellow negotiators in Geneva and will strive to conclude a deal which prevents any return to protectionism.”

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