Bernard J. Durkan
Question:159 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the WTO talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30692/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2004
Questions (158)
Written answers
The Government is particularly pleased with the outcome of the end-July 2004 World Trade Organisation, WTO, general council meeting, which agreed a framework to further progress the Doha Development Agenda, DDA. The framework agreement sets the parameters for the next stages of negotiation of the DDA. Essentially, the DDA negotiations are now back on track.
Over coming months and next year, the WTO members will develop the agreed framework into concrete, detailed and specific commitments under each of the key areas of interest, including in agriculture, non-agricultural products and services. In the case of agriculture, the framework will include negotiations aimed at a substantial cut in trade-distorting supports, the elimination of trade distorting export competition practices and a significant opening of agricultural markets. In the case of industry, a set of precise guidelines to cut tariffs has been adopted. The framework, in addition, pays close attention to the needs and concerns of developing country members of the WTO.
These negotiations will take place with a view to completing the round as soon as possible. When the Doha round was launched in November 2001, negotiations were scheduled to conclude by 1 January 2005. This will now not happen.
Alongside the adoption of the framework agreement, the WTO general council, at end July, agreed that the next WTO ministerial meeting will take place in Hong Kong in December 2005.