Brussels, 09/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a meeting chaired by Swiss Economy Minister Doris Leuthard and WTO Director General Pascal Lamy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 31 January, trade ministers from some 20 key countries in Doha Round negotiations, including those of Australia, Brazil, China, India and Japan along with European Commissioner Catherine Ashton, noted the major progress made in 2008, which, they said, “provides a solid basis for the swift resolution of remaining differences in 2009”. The declaration adopted, which received the backing of US Ambassador to the WTO Peter Allgeier, who is acting American representative until the appointment of Ron Kirk is approved by Congress, argues for open trade to stimulate the economy and against new trade and export restrictions. Leuthard said she would like the WTO to hold a ministerial meeting before the G20 summit in London on 2 April, in the hope that trade would feature on the agenda for the summit which will debate the reform of the international financial system. Apart from the US unknown, the political timetable is not conducive to success in the Doha Round with the prospect of general elections in India in April or May and before September in Japan, and the new Commission being appointed in November. Several sources in Geneva, feel that it is more likely that there will be a WTO ministerial meting at the end of July or the start of September. Addressing the WTO General Council on 3 February, Lamy said he was impatient for the G20 summit to provide fresh impetus for the Round. (E.H./transl.rt)