Date: 16/09/2003
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Title: Erwin: Collapse of negotiations at WTO meeting in Mexico
SOUTH AFRICA'S MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY ALEC ERWIN RESPONDS TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
THERE'S MORE WORK AHEAD OF US, SAYS TRADE MINISTER
ALEC ERWIN, THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND HEAD OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION AT THE 5th MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE WTO IN CANCUN, MEXICO, RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA:
"South Africa is concerned and disappointed that we have been unable to reach a definite and concrete outcome in Cancun. However, what was important in this process is the fact that the Group of 20+ among which are Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, China and Nigeria were able to place a balanced proposal on how we needed to move forward. The Group indicated that there is a possibility in these negotiations to achieve meaningful outcomes for developing countries in the areas on market access, domestic support and export competition in agriculture, whilst understanding the concerns of food security and rural development, and those of least developing countries."
"The concerted effort of developing countries led by the G-20+ ensured that we were able to secure some positive shifts from the EU and US in these key areas of agricultural trade. Obviously, maintaining the ambitions of Doha on these areas was continuously emphasised as an important element that should not be lost sight of. We are therefore of the view that we were able to enter some serious dialogue on these and other important issues of the Doha round."
"It is necessary to keep in mind that this round should continue to be a developmental round. The complexity of the agenda therefore requires some understanding and appreciation that developing countries have tried their best at creating a level playing field and trade environment that would expand opportunities for their economic development. When they insist on the removal of subsidies that distort trade it is because they want equity that will make their integration in the multilateral system of trade meaningful. We appreciate that there was some effort made by all to listen and show some willingness to commit to some movement. However, some of these movements fell short of decisively moving the negotiations forward. It is our view that there has been a great deal of excellent work done during this week in Cancun on which we can build in Geneva at the WTO."
"We have also learnt lessons that in these multilateral organizations members must listen to the needs of all, particularly those who represent the majority of the world's poor. If anything, this process must inform us that in future dialogue and negotiation those of us who are in an advantaged position should be able to show willingness to make sacrifices if we are to create a just and a better world. Whilst this is a setback to the negotiations, we will now have to work with urgency and determination to ensure that we can build on what we have done now to advance beyond Cancun."
"What emerges very clearly from the experience of Cancun is that a large and complex agenda needs the prospect of detailed and intense Ministerial level contact if we are to advance. It was unfortunate that the draft text that emerged after consultation did not fully reflect the very legitimate and detailed concerns of the developing countries. Africa made detailed proposals on this but the balance made it difficult to make progress in such a short time."
"In agriculture the Group of 20+ was able to marshal considerable political and technical resources and was able to engage with the EU and USA in detail and in a very professional and constructive manner. This process resulted in progress. The Group in reflecting on the Conference resolved to continue to work together and to build on the progress made. The EU and the USA dealt with the Group on a serious and constructive basis."
"On the critical and complex issues of agriculture, some important advances have been made. These will form a basis for future work and will be taken forward. These include good advances in areas of domestic support, market access and export subsidies. We had a prospect for ensuring substantial reductions in domestic support, including tightening rules on the kind of support industrial countries can provide to its uncompetitive farm sector including the possibility of moving towards eliminating export subsidies. This is essential to creating a level playing field that will allow our farmers in developing countries to produce and export to world markets in a manner that promotes sustained economic growth and development."
"Our disappointment at not achieving a concrete outcome in Cancun is tempered by the advances that have been made. For the first time in the WTO, the developing world united not on ideological grounds but on key and well-articulated interests, acted in concert to advance its developmental agenda. This is historic. It marks a new chapter and a new dynamic in WTO negotiations that could be decisive in advancing negotiations to address the basic structural fault line in the global economy that obstructs development and growth. The significant outcome of Cancun is that we will build on this alliance."
"The negotiation process will continue from a firmer basis for progress and with an equality of capacity within the G20+. It is also our firm belief that all communities and leaders now better understand the problems of agricultural subsidy."
Published: 16 September 2003
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za)
Source: Department of Trade and Industry
Title: Erwin: Collapse of negotiations at WTO meeting in Mexico
SOUTH AFRICA'S MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY ALEC ERWIN RESPONDS TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
THERE'S MORE WORK AHEAD OF US, SAYS TRADE MINISTER
ALEC ERWIN, THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND HEAD OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION AT THE 5th MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE WTO IN CANCUN, MEXICO, RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA:
"South Africa is concerned and disappointed that we have been unable to reach a definite and concrete outcome in Cancun. However, what was important in this process is the fact that the Group of 20+ among which are Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, China and Nigeria were able to place a balanced proposal on how we needed to move forward. The Group indicated that there is a possibility in these negotiations to achieve meaningful outcomes for developing countries in the areas on market access, domestic support and export competition in agriculture, whilst understanding the concerns of food security and rural development, and those of least developing countries."
"The concerted effort of developing countries led by the G-20+ ensured that we were able to secure some positive shifts from the EU and US in these key areas of agricultural trade. Obviously, maintaining the ambitions of Doha on these areas was continuously emphasised as an important element that should not be lost sight of. We are therefore of the view that we were able to enter some serious dialogue on these and other important issues of the Doha round."
"It is necessary to keep in mind that this round should continue to be a developmental round. The complexity of the agenda therefore requires some understanding and appreciation that developing countries have tried their best at creating a level playing field and trade environment that would expand opportunities for their economic development. When they insist on the removal of subsidies that distort trade it is because they want equity that will make their integration in the multilateral system of trade meaningful. We appreciate that there was some effort made by all to listen and show some willingness to commit to some movement. However, some of these movements fell short of decisively moving the negotiations forward. It is our view that there has been a great deal of excellent work done during this week in Cancun on which we can build in Geneva at the WTO."
"We have also learnt lessons that in these multilateral organizations members must listen to the needs of all, particularly those who represent the majority of the world's poor. If anything, this process must inform us that in future dialogue and negotiation those of us who are in an advantaged position should be able to show willingness to make sacrifices if we are to create a just and a better world. Whilst this is a setback to the negotiations, we will now have to work with urgency and determination to ensure that we can build on what we have done now to advance beyond Cancun."
"What emerges very clearly from the experience of Cancun is that a large and complex agenda needs the prospect of detailed and intense Ministerial level contact if we are to advance. It was unfortunate that the draft text that emerged after consultation did not fully reflect the very legitimate and detailed concerns of the developing countries. Africa made detailed proposals on this but the balance made it difficult to make progress in such a short time."
"In agriculture the Group of 20+ was able to marshal considerable political and technical resources and was able to engage with the EU and USA in detail and in a very professional and constructive manner. This process resulted in progress. The Group in reflecting on the Conference resolved to continue to work together and to build on the progress made. The EU and the USA dealt with the Group on a serious and constructive basis."
"On the critical and complex issues of agriculture, some important advances have been made. These will form a basis for future work and will be taken forward. These include good advances in areas of domestic support, market access and export subsidies. We had a prospect for ensuring substantial reductions in domestic support, including tightening rules on the kind of support industrial countries can provide to its uncompetitive farm sector including the possibility of moving towards eliminating export subsidies. This is essential to creating a level playing field that will allow our farmers in developing countries to produce and export to world markets in a manner that promotes sustained economic growth and development."
"Our disappointment at not achieving a concrete outcome in Cancun is tempered by the advances that have been made. For the first time in the WTO, the developing world united not on ideological grounds but on key and well-articulated interests, acted in concert to advance its developmental agenda. This is historic. It marks a new chapter and a new dynamic in WTO negotiations that could be decisive in advancing negotiations to address the basic structural fault line in the global economy that obstructs development and growth. The significant outcome of Cancun is that we will build on this alliance."
"The negotiation process will continue from a firmer basis for progress and with an equality of capacity within the G20+. It is also our firm belief that all communities and leaders now better understand the problems of agricultural subsidy."
Published: 16 September 2003
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za)
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