WTO NEWS: SPEECHES DG PASCAL LAMY
International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) meeting — Washington
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Lamy's speeches
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In this period of increased financial
uncertainty around the world, the rules-based trading system of the WTO
provides a hugely important source of economic stability for
governments, for business and for consumers. It played that role very
well ten years ago during the Asian financial crisis, acting as a shock
absorber between the financial and the real sectors of the world
economy. By keeping international trade in goods and services flowing,
at the time the WTO system contributing to ensuring that the financial
shock would not deteriorate into a far worse economic recession
worldwide.
In the current circumstances, counting on the WTO and on concluding the
Doha Round is the nearest available message of reassurance for world
financial markets.
Last year I told you about the risks of a failure in the Doha Round. A
sort of half empty glass. This year I am completely convinced that we
have it within our means, politically and technically, to finish the
Doha Round this year. To do so, the first step we need is for WTO Member
governments to agree at Ministerial level by the end of May on the
framework for cutting agricultural tariffs, agricultural subsidies and
industrial tariffs.
This is a task that has eluded us now for far too long. The differences
between negotiating positions is not great. Technically, there is no
doubt in my mind that it can be bridged. What we need, urgently, is
political input from all of the key players to allow the bridges to be
built.
The next few weeks will be crucial at the WTO. So please help us to push
for the conclusion of the Doha Round now.
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