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WTO admits serious differences, no new round likely

World Trade Organisation has made it clear that no new round can be launched at the Ministerial meeting in Doha that began on Friday, admitting that there are differences on the draft declaration particularly on sections dealing with issues like investment and competition.

"The rules are very clear that new round can be launched only if there is consensus," WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told the customary press conference before the start of the five-day ministerial which is being held amidst tight security in the picturesque Gulf state.

Referring to the paragraphs 20 and 21 pertaining to trade and investment and trade and competition in the revised draft declaration, he said, "there are serious differences."

India and several other developing countries have opposed new issues including investment and competition, but the European Union and United States have been pressing hard for the launch of a new round of trade negotiations by trying to woo several developing countries, especially the 48 least developed countries.

Rockwell agreed that the covering letter of the draft declaration does not fully reflect the concerns of all the members. Nor does it mean that there is full agreement on the revised draft which India has described as "worse" than the earlier one in addressing the concerns of the developing countries.

Developed countries view that the conference would be described as a success if they can go home and talk of a new round setting the stage for a new cycle of negotiations. But so complex and controversial are some of the issues, that analysts agree there is a long road ahead.

WTO Director-General Mike Moore said the multilateral trade body has to strike a "balance" between those members who want this conference to extend its jurisdiction farther and those who think it is going too far.

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