Brussels, 27/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The chief negotiators of the G4 (EU, USA, Brazil and India) welcomed the commitment shown by each of the parties during several meetings of their representatives last week in London, where discussion mainly turned to the question of exemptions to the cuts in agricultural tariffs (sensitive products for developed countries, special products and special safeguard mechanism, SSM, for developing countries). “What came out of last week's senior officials' meetings is a clear turning point in the negotiations. We now have a better negotiating relationship between the majors”, Peter Mandelson stressed in The Financial Times on Tuesday. Like his American counterpart, Susan Schwab, the trade commissioner nonetheless reproached India for playing a “laggardly role”, mainly on developing country special products and the special safeguard mechanism. Emerging countries must also make more concessions in the NAMA (Non-Agricultural Market Access) and services sectors, he states. (eh)