20 May 2008
New Agriculture Text Boosts Doha Prospects
The Minister for Trade, the Hon Simon Crean, today welcomed the release of the revised negotiating text on agriculture, released overnight in Geneva by the negotiating Chair, New Zealand Ambassador Crawford Falconer.
“The release of this text is another important step in trying to bring the Doha Round to a successful conclusion,” said Mr Crean.
“Obviously there will be areas of continuing disagreement - but the important thing is that we are clearly narrowing these areas of difference. This demonstrates the continuing desire to make progress”.
“Australia will be examining the detail of the agriculture text carefully and will be consulting closely with our Cairns Group colleagues in Geneva.
“I understand that revised texts in the other key areas of industrial goods and services are expected within the next few days. The direction of these texts, along with agriculture, will be critical in determining the shape of the final outcome.”
“We should soon have a basis for discussions at Senior Officials’ level across these three main export market access issues in the Round which are of key interest to Australian farmers, services providers and manufacturing industries.
“An injection of political will is now needed to drive home the Doha deal. I look forward to the ministerial meeting in Geneva to discuss these texts to narrow remaining differences so we can complete the negotiations this year.
“I am also pleased that there is now widespread support for a services ‘signalling’ conference at Ministerial level for which Australia has strongly pushed.
“I fully expect that conference to be held in parallel with negotiations on goods when Ministers come together. Australia will continue to press for a strong outcome on services market access.
“As I have said previously, a successful conclusion to the Doha Round this year would provide a real confidence boost to the global economy at a time of some uncertainty in the outlook. It would also be a key part of the solution in dealing with the impact of high world food prices.
“Given its importance to the global economy – and to the developing world in particular – we cannot afford to let this opportunity pass.”
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555