Convergence within our reach: Lamy to General Council
27 Jul '07
4 min read
I now urge them to step their engagement up once again. Such engagement remains the key to further progress. Intensive negotiations are ahead, so everyone will need to be fit and ready when they return after the summer break.
However, we must not forget that our immediate aim is not only to establish full modalities in Agriculture and NAMA, but also to make commensurate progress in other areas of the negotiations in line with the full Doha mandates, the July 2004 Decision and the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. This is the only possible path to an ambitious, balanced and development-oriented outcome to the Round.
At yesterday's meeting, the TNC received reports from all of the Negotiating Group Chairs. Their reports showed that some good progress has been made across the board over the last few months. They also outlined the processes they intend to follow to build on this progress immediately after the summer break, notably on services and rules. And what I heard from delegations yesterday is support to move in the direction the Chairs suggested.
The statements made by participants at the meeting underlined that there continues to be a high level of commitment to concluding the Round. However, it is also clear that there are some significant differences which remain to be resolved. But, in my view, convergence is within our reach if you are all ready to show the necessary will and flexibility to close the gaps.
We have come a long way since the start of this Round. What we now have in sight represents a very significant package of trade opening and rule-making, and a strong collective commitment to work for a more development-friendly world trading system. The distance left to go to achieve all of this is not so great. It will require a good dose of extra effort by all participants, but it can be done.
That concludes my report on this occasion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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