Luxembourg, 29/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Monday in Luxembourg, the EU Foreign Ministers approved conclusions on the preparation of the 4th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to be held in Doha from 9 to 13 November. President-in-Office of the Council Annemie Neyts and Commissioner Pascal Lamy insisted as they presented the text to the press that this result was reached unanimously. Ms Neyts said she had invited her colleagues to ensure that "the Member States' unity" hold out until the meeting and "above all in Doha". "Only in this way can we bring influence to bear on the agenda" of the next round of multilateral trade negotiations, she said. She reaffirmed that the text presented by Ambassador Stewart Harbinson, President of the WTO General Council, remains a good basis for work even if it must be improved (she cited aspects linked to the environment, to fundamental labour norms and to intellectual property). "The EU delegation to leave for Doha next week will do so with a clear position and in a positive and resolute spirit", said Commissioner Lamy, who noted that the Council's conclusions are in "very great harmony" with the resolution adopted by the European Parliament last week (see EUROPE of 26 October, p.11). "The Union has reached this phase united", insisted the Commissioner. He placed emphasis on the fact that it was "sticking together" and that there was a "very great unity of views around the Council table". In addition to the three points cited by Ms Neyts, Mr Lamy stressed that the draft declaration prepared for Doha comprises some "ambiguities" concerning investment, competition, subsidies to fishing and textile activities. (To this must be added farm subsidies that Mr Lamy had already mentioned last week when speaking before the Parliament).
In its conclusions, the Council stresses the positive, political and economic impact of the launch of the new round of negotiations intended to strengthen international solidarity, reduce inequalities and increase the stability and the predictability of the framework in which trade is carried out, the development of which should be accompanied by strengthened regulation. It confirms that the conclusions it had adopted in October 1999 for the Seattle Conference remain the basis for EU action to achieve launching of a new round of talks. The Council welcomes the EP's support and stresses the "importance of the development dimension of this round". It expresses the hope that, in all the areas covered by the round, every possible means will be sought to respond to the specific needs of developing countries. The conclusions above all mention: - technical assistance; - the ability to take part effectively in negotiations; - and the implementation of results. The Council attaches very great importance to the fact that all developing countries hit by epidemics should be able to benefit from flexibility in the TRIPS agreement (Ed.: intellectual property) in order to promote effective access by their population to medicine essential for treating such diseases. The Council also reaffirms the importance of dialogue with civil society and above all with social partners. It confirms it will hold a special session in Doha "throughout the Doha Conference" in order to take stock of the evolution of the ultimate phase of negotiations. It will also give the guidelines necessary for the Union negotiator to be able to elaborate final compromises, taking the overall balance into account as well as the balance within the different subjects to be covered.