Brussels, 11/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - Issues relating to transatlantic relations - hormone-treated beef, chlorinated chicken and REACH legislation - were at the heart of the first exchange of views between European Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and her opposite number from the US Susan Schwab in Brussels on Tuesday 11 November. The EU and US trade policy leaders also discussed the Doha Round multilateral negotiations which have been deadlocked since the failed ministerial meeting in Geneva in June. Against the backdrop of international financial crisis and world economic slowdown, they repeated their desire to conclude the talks that began in 2001 to create new trade flows to the benefit of all, and especially the developing world. They also called on the leaders of the world's biggest economic powers (G20), who will meet in Washington to reform the international financial architecture, to send a clear message to negotiators that they want the Round concluded. “With leadership and determination, a Doha deal is within our grasp as the details of a final Washington agreement could be agreed within weeks,” Ashton said after the meeting. “At this critical time, it is all the more important that we not only avoid retrenchment in market opening, but move ahead with an ambitious and balanced Doha Round that creates new trade flows and generates economic opportunities worldwide,” said Schwab. (E.H./transl.rt)