German EU Presidency To Push For Continuation Of Doha Round

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

15 January 2007

It emerged last week that German Minister of Economics and Technology, Michael Glos and EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson met for a bilateral discussion in Berlin on the sidelines of the joint session of the German Cabinet and the European Commission.

Their exchange focused on the continuation of the World Trade Organisation's ongoing Doha round of negotiations, which Glos stated is a priority for the German EU Presidency.

In his meeting with Mandelson, Glos emphasized that:

"In removing trade barriers, the multilateral trading system has priority for me. The German EU Presidency is prepared to work actively toward the continuation of negotiations and also to seek dialogue with other important WTO partners."

According to the German Economics Minister, it is now necessary for all WTO negotiating partners to show political leadership and the willingness to compromise.

He observed that:

"I see positive signals from President Bush for a willingness of the United States to work toward a conclusion of negotiations and hope that this will soon be bolstered by concrete proposals. I assured Commissioner Mandelson as the EU's negotiating leader of my full support."

"We have to use the window of time available in weeks ahead and together with other important negotiating partners such as the United States, India, and Brazil lay the foundations for a successful and expeditious conclusion of the Doha Round."

The global trade talks collapsed acrimoniously last July.

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