102 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the position of the Government in relation to the upcoming World Trade Organisation negotiations at Seattle will give due regard to the protection of the rights of citizens in parts of the world with crippling national debts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24009/99]
Written Answers. - WTO Meeting.
It is expected that the Third WTO Ministerial Conference will take the necessary decisions to launch a millennium round of trade negotiations across a broad range of trade issues. These negotiations should commence in 2000 and be completed within a three year timeframe. The position of developing countries features in the WTO preparatory run-up to Seattle along with other issues, including, for example, agriculture, services, tariffs, competition, electronic commerce, intellectual property, environment, investment, trade facilitation, government procurement, technical barriers to trade and core labour standards.
WTO members are currently trying to finalise a ministerial declaration for adoption at Seattle which will cover the scope and modalities of the proposed negotiations.