Doc. 10816
25 January 2006

The Need to conclude the WTO Doha Development Agenda in 2006

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Sasi and others

1.       The Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held in Hong Kong in December 2005 made progress on the road toward a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda by the end of 2006. Success by that time would open trade and establish more balanced and fair rules for it. This would boost economic growth and ensure improved living standards and reduce poverty in developing countries.

2.       A closer look at the Hong Kong Agreement, however, reveals how limited progress in fact was. Some cornerstones were placed, such as the end date for agricultural export subsidies. With so little time remaining and so much work ahead, it is vital that WTO members now move forward with new resolve and a preparedness to make the necessary compromises.

3.       Dialogue and parliamentary support in this endeavour is highly important, as was shown in the Hong Kong Session of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO held in conjunction with the WTO Ministerial meeting. The Parliamentary Conference, in which the Parliamentary Assembly took an active part, worked in close symbiosis with the Ministerial Conference, reiterating its view that “the days when trade policy was the exclusive domain of the executive branch are over” and that it is “resolved to play a far greater role in overseeing WTO activities and promoting the fairness of the trade liberalisation process”. Parliaments – whether at national, European or worldwide level – must press governments not to lose momentum and time, and to take on board parliamentary concerns even more than so far.

4.       Council of Europe countries have much to gain from negotiations. Decisions concerning agricultural subsidies, customs tariffs, trade in services, intellectual property rights and trade facilitation are stepping stones for enhanced prosperity and employment in Europe.

Signed ¹:

SASI, Kimmo, Finland, EPP/CD
ELO, Mikko, Finland, SOC
HAUPERT, Norbert, Luxembourg, EPP/CD
HERKEL, Andres, Estonia, EPP/CD
H�GMARK, Anders G., Sweden, EPP/CD
HOOPER, Gloria, United Kingdom, EDG
KIRILOV, Evgeni, Bulgaria, SOC
MELC�K, Miloš, Czech Republic, SOC
MERCAN, Murat, Turkey, EPP/CD
PERICLEOUS PAPADOPOULOS, Antigoni, Cyprus, ALDE
SAKS, Katrin, Estonia, SOC
SPINDELEGGER, Michael, Austria, EPP/CD
VAREIKIS, Egidijus, Lithuania, EPP/CD
VESAITE, Birute, Lithuania, SOC
ZAPFL-HELBLING, Rosmarie, Switzerland, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
       ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
       EDG: European Democratic Group
       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
       NR: not registered in a group