DG Moore welcomes G-8 statement on trade round

DG Moore welcomes G-8 statement on launch of new trade round.

World Trade Organization Director General Mike Moore today (23 July 2000) welcomed the statement from leaders of the Group of Eight industrial countries that a round of multilateral trade negotiations should commence this year. A trade round, Mr. Moore said, offers the best way to ensure balanced negotiations which reflect the interests and concerns of all WTO member governments.

Mr. Moore said it was vital for Canada, the European Union, Japan and the United States to agree on the way forward in launching such a round, but he made it very clear that agreement among the "Quad" is not sufficient for a successful launch. He stressed that there could be no trade round unless such talks were supported by developing country governments and unless more flexibility on difficult issues is shown by all sides.

"It would be a splendid thing if we could launch a round this year. I welcome the fact that such an important group of world leaders has cast a spotlight on the importance of such negotiations to the people of the world. This is an important step.

"But the WTO makes all of its important decisions by consensus and while agreement on a package of negotiations from the Group of Eight is welcome, there can be no launch of talks without support from the world's developing countries. It is through a round that our organization can achieve a balanced agreement that enables us tackle to the many problems and concerns affecting the world's citizens. Only through a round can you get the trade-offs that benefit the smallest and most vulnerable societies."

ENDS

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