Aftermath of G4 collapse

The collapse of the G4 negotiations and perhaps of the group itself, have brought the negotiations back to Geneva, the WTO headquarters where it received a warm welcome by almost all the members. This happened at an informal meeting of the WTO’s TNC (Trade Negotiations Committee) held a day after the failure of the talks at Potsdam.

Almost all members were in support of continuation of the talks even after the Potsdam event ended in acrimony. Several developing countries however also stressed that progress would depend on the "Development Dimension" being fully reflected, and on a transparent and participatory process. Some also said that while the Chairs of the negotiating groups were asked to prepare negotiating texts, they should do so under the guidance of all the Members. Members should negotiate with one another and not with the Chairs, said some countries including Nigeria and Bangladesh.

The WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy restated that the success of the Potsdam talks would have been helpful in terms of progress of the Doha events, but is not indispensable. “This is not a negotiation among four players but a collective endeavour among all participants, in a single undertaking with a broad agenda and development at its heart. It is timely to reassert these basic principles.”

Lamy also stressed on the importance of the Geneva process, the only place where decisions can and should be taken. The Chairs of the Agriculture and NAMA groups are working on revised texts. "The need now is for urgent action to restore confidence that these negotiations can and will be finished successfully."

Moreover, he also suggested that the process would be conducted by the Chairs and himself in every successive meetings from now onwards.

Resource: TWN info service on WTO and trade
Released: 26 June, 07