The G-20 group, the coalition of developing economies of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has asked the developed nations to show political will for a faster conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations.
“This (developed nations’ political will) implies not only the readiness to engage, but also the observance of the balances and trade-offs achieved over the last seven years of negotiations,” said Celso Amorim, external relations minister of Brazil, which is heading the 22-member G-20 bloc. India, too, is a member of this group.
Amorim was speaking on the first day of the informal ministerial meeting of the Doha trade talks in Delhi.
Other key points raised by the group included respecting the already set mandate to avoid changes in the modalities finalised during the development of the Doha Round so far, and an emphasis on the development concern of the developing nations and the least developed countries.
“Any changes (in modalities) that might be envisaged could only come through a truly multilateral process. But this would imply several more years of negotiations. I wonder whether anyone has the stamina for it,” the Brazilian minister said.
Further urging trade negotiators to avoid changes in the approach to talks, he said: “To expect a further considerable movement by all or some members, especially developing members, now is a recipe for a breakdown.”
Questioning the member countries’ understanding of the objectives of the negotiations, Amorim further raised concern over the “political shortcomings” of the development of the round, so far.
