Brussels, 31/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said on Friday 29 March 2008 that he was 'encouraged' by recent promises by US President George W. Bush on the Doha trade round. 'We're willing to make serious concessions on the agricultural front, but we expect other nations to open up their markets on manufacturing as well as services,' Bush said at a news conference after meeting Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd. 'It's about time,' Mandelson said after meeting with French prime minister Francois Fillon. Mandelson added: 'George Bush says… the United States needs to make fair, reasonable payment into these negotiations. I always said that they would. They time has come for this to happen.' (E.H.)