Minister Crean to push Doha and benefits of trade in Europe
Media release
26 May 2010
Trade Minister Simon Crean will arrive later today in France to participate in ministerial-level meetings of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The OECD meeting comes at a crucial time with the world focussing on the debts problems of some European economies.
On May 27, Mr Crean will host a meeting of Trade Ministers in Paris to further progress the Doha Round. Mr Crean will push for the conclusion of Doha as the best insurance against a reversion to protectionism.
Mr Crean will participate in the two-day OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. Mr Crean has been invited by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria and Ministerial Council Chair Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to be Vice-Chair of the meeting. In his role, Mr Crean will chair the ministerial trade discussion on May 28, titled “Sources of Growth”. He will also be a panellist on the forum “Trade, Jobs and Innovation” on May 27.
“Job creation and sustainable economic growth are some of the main benefits of boosting global trade,” Mr Crean said.
“One of my key messages to the OECD meeting in Europe will be the need to keep liberalising trade and not revert to protectionism.”
“I will be emphasising the contribution of international trade and investment to the global economic recovery and sustainable economic growth,” Mr Crean said.
The informal meeting of Trade Ministers, hosted by Mr Crean, will bring together key players — including the US and India — to discuss progress on the Doha Round.
“This is an important gathering and those attending will include the US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, European Community Trade Minister Karel De Gucht and the WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy,” Mr Crean said.
“This is a chance to engage at the ministerial level on Doha ahead of the APEC Trade Ministers meeting in early June in Japan and the lead-up to the G20 leaders meeting in Toronto in late June.”
“There are increasing signals from key players that they recognise the potential returns from Doha.”
“Concluding Doha will be the best insurance against the rise of protectionism and provides an economic stimulus without hurting Budget bottomlines,” Mr Crean said.
Media inquiries
- Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555