Difficult Time for WTO Talks

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile has expressed his deep disappointment at the lack of progress in the Doha WTO negotiations in Geneva.

"Ministers came to Geneva this week to make progress in key areas of the negotiations particularly agriculture. We needed to find a way forward on the sticking points of agricultural market access and cuts to the farm subsidies that so distort world trade. The industrials negotiations also needed attention", Mr Vaile said.

"Despite intensive discussions with my ministerial colleagues, it is clear that none of the majors arrived in Geneva with the necessary flexibility to make progress. This has been all the more frustrating for Australia and its Cairns Group partners as the parameters for an ambitious outcome to these negotiations are clearly in sight."

"Now is not the time for posturing, casting blame, or playing partisan politics. I urge all to accept our joint responsibility for bringing this round to a successful conclusion."

Mr Vaile said Australia was committed to doing whatever was possible in the coming weeks to move the negotiations forward.

"There is too much at stake for the international trading system for us to allow these talks to falter. I have offered Director-General Pascal Lamy Australia's full support in his efforts in coming weeks and I will continue to stay in close contact with my ministerial colleagues."

Mr Vaile also cautioned against any attempt to lower the high level of ambition agreed by Ministers in the Doha negotiating mandate.

"The Cairns Group played a key role in fighting for the launch of this round in Doha. It is a round that seeks to advance development and which has reform of agriculture at its core.

"Australia will keep fighting for an outcome to the round that is high on ambition, particularly in the key area of agricultural market access. There can be no round without an ambitious outcome in agriculture. This means real reform, real cuts and real disciplines in market access, domestic subsidies and export subsidies," Mr Vaile said.

Contact: Mr Vaile's Office 02 6277 7420, Departmental 02 6261 1555