Media release
Sunday 20 October 2002 - MVT131/2002
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Cairns Group Attracts High-Level Guests
Cairns Group efforts to achieve a fairer trading environment for
farmers around the world were boosted by the attendance of high-level
guests at the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia,
Trade Minister and Cairns Group Chair Mark Vaile said today.
Mr Vaile said the attendance of United States Trade Representative
Robert Zoellick, Ugandan Minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry
Edward Rugumayo, Chinese Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation
Sun Zhenyu and WTO Director-General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi recognised
the Cairns Group's central role in WTO agriculture negotiations.
"Like the Cairns Group, the United States, China and Uganda are determined
to see a strong outcome in Geneva in the Doha trade talks," Mr Vaile
said.
"The US and China have in recent months lodged negotiating proposals
at the WTO agriculture negotiations, which share key common elements
with the Cairns Group's proposals."
"As part of the African Group, Uganda has also lodged a reform proposal
which, like the Cairns Group proposal, emphasises the importance for
developing countries of opening markets.
"Our discussions in Santa Cruz are an important show of strength.
It is vital for those countries that continue to resist reform - such
as the European Union and Japan - to understand how important agricultural
reform is to efficient farmers across the world. We will not rest
until we get agricultural reform.
"Bob Zoellick said he's been here listening and talking to the Cairns
Group on how we can work together. He attended the Cairns Group in
September 2001, where we set our goals for Doha, and were successful
in getting a very good mandate. Now we are working together on the
next stage."
Mr Vaile said he was particularly pleased that Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi
was able to make the Cairns Group meeting one of his first key engagements
as Director-General.
"The presence of a strong contingent of special guests at this year's
Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting is recognition of the Group's key
role in pushing for reform to world agricultural trade through the
WTO negotiations," Mr Vaile said.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 14:13:57 EST
