Indonesia pushes for settlement of Doha Round

Thursday, 4 February 2010

ANTARA News Agency

Indonesia and other member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will continue pushing to solve the Doha Round at the WTO to the benefit of all in view of the importance of improving the world business climate.

Speaking in Geneva on Wednesday, Ambassador/Deputy Indonesian Permanent Representative to WTO Erwidodo said this is the essence of the bilateral meeting between Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and several partners on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zwitzerland.

Mari Pangestu met, among others, Swiss President Doris Leuthard, Australian home minister Simon Crean, Indian transportation minister Kamal Nath, WTO director general Pascal Lamy, US Undersecretary Robert Hormats and CEOs of a number of multinational companies.

On the occasion, Mari expressed commitment to continue leading G-33 for progress in negotiations on the agricultural sector.

To deny charges that G-33 is posing a main obstacle to the settlement of the Doha Round, Indonesia will continue pushing intensified talks at technical matter between G-33 and exporting countries like Cairns Group and G-20.

Indonesia is holding an important position as it is a member of the three fora of conflicting interests, the ambassador said.

To answer the concern of the special safeguard mechanism (SSM), for which G-33 had been fighting for, may pose an obstacle to the world trade, Indonesia in the name of G-33 has presented a paper to the WTO secretariat containing thoughts on SSM architecture acceptable to all sides.