The European Union (EU) trade chief Peter Mandelson called for unity within the 27-nation bloc on Monday, one week ahead of a crucial World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting to save the Doha Round.
Rebuffing French President Nicolas Sarkozy's claim that he promised too much in the global trade talks, the EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said France is "very mindful of its responsibilities as the presidency of the EU."
The EU trade chief was speaking to journalists as European trade, development and foreign ministers were scheduled to meet Friday in order to prepare for the WTO ministerial meeting in Geneva next week.
Mandelson insisted he had acted within the mandate authorized by EU governments, adding Friday's meeting would not be an occasion to limit his room for maneuver when he goes to Geneva.
"I already have a clear mandate," Mandelson said. "I don not need a new one and it does not need to be changed. I have always operated within member states' mandate and will continue to do so."
After nearly seven years in deadlock, the WTO Doha Round talks is coming to a crucial time when ministers from about 30 major trading powers meet in Geneva next week to seek agreement.
Mandelson warned any failure this time may mean no deal for another several years.
"If it fails to reach agreement, it will not resume in the near future," Mandelson said. "I think it will be very difficult if not impossible to get the same people around the table in the autumn with all the growing pressure of the United State presidential race."
Asked about the prospects of success next week, Mandelson said he agreed with the estimate made by the WTO Director General Pascal Lamy, who put the odds at 50 to 50.
Mandelson has been under tremendous pressure within the EU. Sarkozy openly attacked Mandelson last month, saying the EU trade negotiator made too much concession in cutting EU farm subsidies before receiving reciprocal concessions from rapidly developing countries.
The European farmers' lobby COPA warned Monday the current proposals for talks next week could cost the EU farming sector some 30 billion euros (47.5 billion U.S. dollars) every year and at least a half-million jobs.
"No deal is better than a bad deal, and the deal currently on the table is very bad," COPA President Jean-Michel Lemetayer said.
Source:Xinhua
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