Doha negotiations should build on progress so far: Anand Sharma |
|
New Delhi, May 25 ANI: Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has said that Doha negotiations must continue to build on the progress already made. At the informal trade ministers' meeting on May 26 after the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD Ministerial Meeting in Paris, Sharma is likely to push for protecting the gains made so far in the Doha Round. "This is a good opportunity to discuss on what lies ahead in Doha, after the DG and the negotiating Chairs brought out the comprehensive reports of April 21. The reports map the progress made thus far while pointing to the wide gaps that remain unresolved across all WTO issues," he said. He said that it is noteworthy that the developed countries are now seeking to rebalance the perceived "disparity" in the contribution between developed and emerging countries and to achieve, if not equalization, a harmonization of their tariffs. India views such an attempt to shift goal posts as unacceptable and as a violation of the mandate. "Sectoral Initiatives were always intended to be a non-mandatory top-up to industrial goods liberalization. After the aggressive cuts by developing countries through the Swiss formula, it would be difficult to accept a mandatory top-up," he added. He further said developed countries must appreciate our sensitivities, our autonomous liberalisation, the development dimension and the impact on our local industries. Sharma expressed concern at the attempt to shift the discourse from development to purely mercantilist issues, most of them having scant relevance for developing countries. Highlighting the importance of Doha Round, Sharma said: "The Doha Development Agenda is one of the most ambitious attempts at ensuring that the issue of development is firmly at the core of the multilateral trading system." "The critical interests to be served are those of protecting the food and livelihood security of farmers and vulnerable industries of developing countries. India is willing and keen to engage with the rest of the membership in all formats and on all issues, to seek constructive solutions to the problems that confront us in the Round," he added. Attempts to unravel or re-open issues on which a lot of progress has been made would be counterproductive. It is clear that with such a complex agenda to be negotiated amongst 154 members, the Round cannot be rushed. Indian side is clear that reports by the DG and negotiating chairs are by no means revised negotiating texts and so are not meant to change the basis for future negotiations. The texts of December 2008 and the proposals submitted by various members and coalitions remain as the versions under discussion. ANI Posted by aniin on Thursday May 26 reply Comments |
|
<< < 1 > >> |
|
|
||
