Top > Search by Policy > Externatl Ecoonomic Poliy > Trade Policy Index > WTO >Statement by Minister Akira AMARI
July 29, 2008
We gathered together in Geneva this time in order to establish
modalities, which have been expected to be a big breakthrough
towards the conclusion of the Doha Round this year, a goal that has
been a matter of utmost importance for all WTO Members for the last
seven years.
For the last eleven days, we engaged in intense negotiations,
including several late night and early morning sessions. I myself
have been in close contacts and consultations with my fellow trade
ministers day and night in order to act as a bridge between
developed and developing countries, and explore a negotiated outcome
by which all of us can bring home some net gains.
There have been moments when we almost had a negotiated agreement in
our sight. It is very regrettable that, despite of these moments of
hopes, we were not able to make the last few steps towards final
convergence.
Our failure to agree on modalities at this ministerial gathering is
a heavy blow to the global economy. At a time when there is a risk
of global economic downturn, it remains our joint responsibility to
conclude this Round as soon as possible, which is important for the
maintenance and strengthening of the rule-based free trade system
under the WTO regime, for containing protectionism, and for
salvaging the global economy through trade expansion including those
for developing countries.
We have to explore our way to move the negotiation forward, based on
what we have achieved in the last seven years, and especially our
achievements that we have accumulated since the issuance of the two
Chairs’ texts in Agriculture and NAMA in July last year.
Japan remains committed to an early conclusion of the Doha Round and
intends to continue its close consultation with other WTO Members in
order to contribute to the strengthening of the free trade system.
Statement by Mr.Akira AMARI, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (PDF:
11KB)
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