Brussels, 26/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - In reply to last week's criticism from the president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, that the EU was making “far too many” concessions on agriculture (EUROPE 9609), Peter Mandelson, put pressure on the emerging economies, which he believes hold the key to a compromise in the Doha negotiations. In an interview to Reuters on Monday 25 February made during his visit to Beijing, the European commissioner stated: “China and other developing nations (Ed: South Africa, Brazil and India) must show more negotiating ambition if long-term running global trade talks are to succeed”. Mr Mandelson explained that “the constraint on me is what others amongst the emerging economies are prepared to do in industrial goods (non-agricultural market access - NAMA)”. The commissioner added that “if their apparently low level of ambition continues, it's going to make my position as Europe's negotiator quite hard”. He provided assurances that “he would do his utmost to prepare for a possible meeting of World Trade Organisation ministers in April” in Geneva but warned that “Europe needs greater engagement amongst its negotiating partners”. This message was also addressed to Beijing, although he did praise the latter's efforts in the NAMA chapters, services and rules but was critical of China's defensive position in agriculture. (E.H.)