Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, said that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting had concluded in Seattle today without any decision being taken on the launch of a new round. "Naturally I am disappointed with this outcome. In the end we did not have enough time to reach agreement across a wide range of complicated issues. Australia had supported a narrow market access focused round because we believed agreement would be more easily achieved on a balanced and realistic package rather than an overloaded agenda". "The Chair of the Conference, US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, has decided to freeze the Seattle process while further discussion takes place in Geneva". "Agriculture was a key focus for Australia at this meeting. We made some significant progress on developing a detailed agricultural mandate, crucial elements of which had widespread support from both developed and developing countries. But unfortunately we were not able to bridge some of the final gaps with the EU, Japan and others". "There were also a range of other issues such as investment, competition and labour issues which had complicated the agenda and were extremely contentious". Mr Vaile said that the mandated negotiations on agriculture and services would resume next year. "We and other members of the Cairns Group are strongly committed to these negotiations which will be vital to opening markets for our farm and services exports." "Australia will continue to push hard for the further opening of markets for agriculture and processed foods, for the elimination of export subsidies and for cuts to trade distorting domestic subsidies." "Next year's services negotiations offer real prospects for better market access for Australian service providers. Areas such as banking, telecommunications, legal services and education have much to gain from renewed WTO services negotiations". Mr Vaile said it would be important to focus on the services and agriculture negotiations early in the new year. Australia will be working hard to ensure that these negotiations begin on time and with clear objectives.
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