SEE ALSO:
press releases
WTO news
Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
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“I very
much welcome the reconfirmed commitment by the Ministers of the world's four largest
trading entities to the World Trade Organization. I especially appreciate the
forward-looking nature of the concluding statement. Not only did it provide support for
current negotiations, particularly that on telecommunications, but looked ahead to an
ambitious first WTO Ministerial Meeting next year in Singapore. The statement reflected a
shared view that new issues have now to be considered for inclusion in the continuing
development and strengthening of the multilateral trading system”. “As the Ministers
point out, there is a vital and urgent need to broaden support for the multilateral system
and trade liberalization. At the same time, I welcome the concept of a new WTO body to
help ensure that regional trade initiatives contribute to, rather than detract from,
efforts at the multilateral level”.
Note: The
“Quadrilateral” or “Quad” meetings bring together trade ministers from
the United States, Japan, Canada and the Commission of the European Union. |
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