Vol. 571 No. 2
202 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her priorities in respect of WTO negotiations with particular reference to the Government's term of office as President of the Council of Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21443/03]
The fifth WTO Trade Ministerial Conference in Cancun earlier this month failed to reach agreement on a framework for the continuation of negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda. As such, this is a serious setback for the DDA. Ireland shares the generally felt disappointment at the outcome of the conference.
The Cancun conference did not fail for lack of effort on the part of the European Community. The EU for its part was among the most persistent advocates for a successful conference and negotiated in good faith at Cancun. The EU also, among WTO partners, provided significant inputs to the WTO in the lead-in to Cancun. During this period EU member states agreed the substantial reforms in agriculture under the medium term review proposals in June.
The Cancun conference concluded with a ministerial declaration that instructed officials to continue work on the outstanding issues and to convene a meeting in Geneva on 15 December, "to take the action necessary to enable us to move towards a successful and timely conclusion to the negotiations".
EU member states, the EU Council and Commission are now undertaking detailed assessments of the outcome of the Cancun ministerial conference. It is too early to assess the medium term implications and the setback for the DDA, or to reach any firm conclusions about the position of the European Community regarding the round or the next steps to be taken. A process of internal reflection and consultation among member states and within and between the EU Commission and Council is now beginning. The outcome of these reflections will have an important part to play in shaping and deciding on WTO priorities for the Irish Presidency.
