Incoming WTO chief optimistic about Doha Round relaunch

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Roberto Azevedo, the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s incoming chief, expressed optimism Tuesday over relaunching the Doha Round talks.

It's possible to make progress on the issue, but a lot of dialogues will be needed, the WTO director-general-elect told business event here.

The upcoming WTO Bali Round of talks in December will offer a good opportunity to begin the relaunching effort, Azevedo said.

"Since 2008, there has been no attempt to talk about the impasse at Doha. It's time to start talking about it," he said.

The Doha Round of global trade talks, under the auspices of the WTO, were launched in 2001 in an effort to lower trade barriers around the world.

Azevedo said that the presence in negotiations of emerging countries as equals to the developed nations had changed the dynamics of talks.

Talks between the two blocs broke down in 2008 mainly due to differences on issues such as trade barriers and agricultural subsidies.

Azevedo stressed the importance of the Bali Round, saying that achieving a major multilateral agreement in Bali will demonstrate the WTO' s significance to international trade, which will in turn help relaunch the Doha Round.

"We need to look at the talks in a broader, more strategic manner," he said.

Born in Brazil, Azevedo was elected to lead the WTO in May, defeating Mexico's candidate Herminio Blanco, and will take over from Pascal Lamy on Sept. 1 for a four-year term.

August 7, 2013

Source: Xinhua