Doha trade talks approaching finishing line, says WTO head

GENEVA (AFP) - WTO head Pascal Lamy said Tuesday the Doha round of trade liberalisation talks was nearing its final stage as new draft texts on farm and industrial goods provided a catalyst for crucial action.
"We are getting closer to our end game," Lamy said, describing the latest texts as a "springboard to a new and crucial stage.
"These revised negotiating texts illustrate clearly where convergence lies among the WTO members and where we have more work to do," Lamy said in a statement.
In Brussels, the European Commission said it was taking a close look at the new drafts.
"The commission is currently studying in detail the two texts which are both long and detailed, and we will comment as soon as possible," commission spokesman for trade issues Peter Power said.
Gretchen Hamel, spokeswoman for the office of the US Trade Representative, said the United States was "prepared to make the tough political choices necessary to conclude an agreement, as others will need to do as well."
The World Trade Organisation's Doha round of talks to reduce trade barriers was launched in the Qatari capital in November 2001 with the aim of reaching a deal by 2004.
But the round has foundered ever since, mainly over disputes between developed and developing countries on agricultural subsidies and industrial tariffs.
Developing countries have been pressing for greater access for their agricultural goods to markets in the developed world.
Rich countries are in turn seeking a better deal in emerging market economies for their industrial products and services.
Revised texts on trade in agricultural and industrial goods, presented by WTO ambassadors Crawford Falconer and Don Stephenson respectively, are an attempt to fix the basis for a compromise.