Doha players at odds on development objectives

The EU’s general affairs Council discussed the Doha development agenda at their meeting of the 21 March 2006. The only decision taken, however, was to take note of "a commitment by the Commission and the presidency to continued full transparency on any further developments in the negotiations."

Oxfam has called on the EU to radically change its position in the world trade talks. Luis Morago, Head of Oxfam International's Brussels Office said, "The intransigence and double standards from certain Member States is breathtaking. France, Italy and others are urging the EU to adopt a strong defensive position in the agricultural talks, while forcing many developing countries to open their industrial and services markets. The split shows that key Members States in Europe had no intention in negotiating a Development Round. It was all about their own gains." 

Friends of the Earth and Women in Development Europe (WIDE) have produced a report arguing that "the trade policy of the European Union is inconsistent with social justice, gender justice and environmental sustainability." The report continues, "The WTO needs to clarify its relationship to the multilateral environmental agreements and its procedures need to be more inclusive, democratic and transparent. The EU needs to look more closely at the impact of the negotiations on poverty, gender equality, the environment and sustainable natural resource management and to rethink its negotiating position from the standpoint of cooperation, democracy and equity."

The employers' federation UNICE, on the other hand stresses the need for balance. "We believe that an ambitious and balanced agreement on agriculture is a critical step to securing a comprehensive and successful outcome for the [Doha trade] Round. However, in order to be successful and supported by the global industrial sector, the round must achieve significant gains in real market access for manufactured goods (NAMA), services, trade facilitation and advancement of other aspects of the negotiations, including rules," it said in a press release.

EU Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, in a speech in February also made clear the need for reciprocity. "We are ready to pay into this Round by lowering our tariffs, including in our "sensitive products", and by stripping out 70% of our domestic subsidies that distort trade. […] It is now up to our partners, including the advanced developing countries, to show how they will contribute to enhance market access across the board. What has been put on the table so far by others is not sufficient," he said.

The text of the ministerial declaration adopted at Doha in November 2001 reads: 

"International trade can play a major role in the promotion of economic development and the alleviation of poverty. We recognize the need for all our peoples to benefit from the increased opportunities and welfare gains that the multilateral trading system generates. The majority of WTO members are developing countries. We seek to place their needs and interests at the heart of the Work Programme adopted in this Declaration."

However, many charities and NGOs feel that the development goals enshrined in this declaration are not being respected and continue to stress that the EU’s current negotiating position will do nothing to alleviate poverty and want in developing countries.

Industry and governments, on the other hand, take a different view, highlighting the need for reciprocity if the round is to be a success.

EU official documents

• Council:General Affairs Council Background briefing(21 March 2006)
• RAPID:Putting Sustainability Impact Assessments at the heart of EU trade policy(21 March 2006)
• RAPID:Council adopts improved rules on agricultural quality products(20 March 2006) [FR] [FR] [DE]
• Commission: Speech by Peter Mandelson:Sustainable Trade: observations on trade and protectionism(21 March 2006)
• Commission: Speech by Peter Mandelson:EU agriculture and the world trade talks(27 Feb 2006)

International Organisations

• WTO:Doha WTO ministerial declaration(14 March 2001)
• WTO:Speech by Pascal Lamy
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:Winners and Losers: Impact of the Doha Round on Developing Countries (2006)

Business & Industry

• UNICE:Global Business & Manufacturers Statement on WTO Doha Round(16 March 2006)

NGOs and Think-Tanks

• Oxfam:EU position in trade talks untenable(17 March 2006)
• Friends of the Earth:The EU’s Responsibillity at the WTO: environment gender & development(March 2006)
• Women in Development Europe:The EU Corporate Trade Agenda(Nov 2005)

Press articles

• The Daily Star:US, EU have little more to offer to LDCs(19 March 2006)
• Times Online:America puts security before freer trade