Need to finalize Doha Round issues at WTO

NEW DELHI: Costa Rican foreign minister Anabel Gonzalez promises to push the Doha agenda at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) if she is appointed the next director general of the multilateral agency tasked with ensuring free and fair trade. 

The work programme agreed at the Doha ministerial meeting is a major issue for India as it would lower duties and subsidies on industrial and farm goods and result in more visas for Indian professionals. But the US and the European Union (EU) are seen to be blocking talks on farm sector liberalization as it would impact their farmers. 

"The new DG has to bring a closure to the Doha talks. Every member has stressed that," Gonzalez told TOI during her whirlwind trip here to seek India's support for her candidature. She is among the nine candidates in fray and next week WTO, after consultations with members, will reduce that field to the top four. 

Gonzalez seemed to be making the right noises, at least from India's point of view saying that it is important that the WTO system must deliver for the poor countries and dismissed fears that she may have a bias for countries such as the United States. "I have closely worked with the developing countries for a long time and I will leave behind my country's position if I am selected for the job... Sharing the continent with some 30 other WTO members does not make me closer to one member or another," she said. 

But how does she hope to break the impasse? Gonzalez is betting on the changing dynamics and the realization that there is a need to push multilateral talks. "The dynamics in Geneva are different from what it was a year ago and there is more serious engagement in the context of the Bali ministerial (meeting in December). The positive atmosphere will help reach an agreement (in Bali) and pave the way for Doha (deal)." While she backs India and Brazil's demand for a focus on some of the agriculture trade related issues, her position on issues such as trade and investment, currency and climate change may not go down well with India, which has opposed talks on these issues till Doha Round is concluded. 

April 6, 2013

Source: India Times