The Hindu : International / India & World : G-33 for engagement on Doha Round: Kamal Nath

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Friday, Mar 23, 2007
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International - India & World

G-33 for engagement on Doha Round: Kamal Nath

P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday said the G-33, a forum of developing countries with "defensive interests" in the farm sector, had "sent a signal of constructive engagement" with the developed bloc in the troubled Doha Round of global trade talks.

Speaking to The Hindu over the telephone after participating in the G-33 meeting in Jakarta earlier in the day, Mr. Kamal Nath said "the initiative now lies in the hands of the developed countries to take this [Doha Round] forward."

He hoped the Jakarta meet would "trigger a more intensive engagement."

The message from the G-33, which represented the voices of over 100 countries, was that "we can negotiate commerce but we cannot negotiate the livelihood-security of poor farmers."

While the developed bloc was seeking "the protection and prosperity of a small number of farmers," the issue, on the other side, was that of the very livelihood of poor farmers. Addressing the G-33, Mr. Kamal Nath said: "Asking us for flexibility is fine. But, asking us for access to Indian market for subsidised agricultural products [from the developed countries] is just not acceptable."

The Jakarta meeting, inaugurated by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was attended by World Trade Organisation Director General Pascal Lamy, European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, Japan on behalf of the G-10, and representatives of the Africa Group as also the Small and Vulnerable Economies. Conspicuous by its absence at the Jakarta meet was the United States.

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