MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

4.9.2006

further to Question for Oral Answer B6‑0427/2006
pursuant to Rule 108(5) of the Rules of Procedure
by Cristiana Muscardini and Seán Ó Neachtain
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the suspension of negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA)

B6‑0480/2006

European Parliament resolution on the suspension of negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Ministerial Declaration of the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation adopted on 18 December 2005,

–  having regard to the Final Declarations by the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO at the conclusion of the sessions in Hong Kong from 12 to 15 December 2005 and in Brussels from 25 to 26 November 2004,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on this issue and in particular its resolution of 4 April 2006 on the assessment of the Doha Round following the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong,

–  having regard to the Parliamentary Question of 24 August 2006 addressed to the Commission on the suspension of the negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda,

–  having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the multilateral trading system embodied in the WTO contributes to enhanced fairness, security, transparency and stability in international trade and to better management of globalisation through multilateral rules and disciplines and the judicial settlement of disputes, with priority being given to sustainable development concerns and human rights,

B.  whereas the Ministerial Conference held in Doha from 9 to 14 November 2001 committed all WTO members to a development round whose central purpose would be to promote a fairer and more pro-development trade system based on multilateral rules,

C.  whereas a successful conclusion of the Doha Round, providing for genuine further market opening and stronger multilateral rules, could be an important parameter in stimulating worldwide economic growth, development and employment and effectively contribute to the integration of developing countries into the world economy,

D.  whereas a successful conclusion of the Doha Round, leading to further mutual liberalisation of world trade in goods and services, would be an important element in achieving increased growth, employment and competitiveness in the European Union and attaining the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy,

E.  whereas the suspension sine die of the Doha Round negotiations decided upon in Geneva last July could lead to the definitive collapse of the Round, challenge the credibility of the multilateral trading system and result in a shift towards bilateral and regional trade agreements, which often accentuate the imbalance between the developed and the developing world,

1.  Regrets the suspension of the Doha Round negotiations, which may have a serious negative impact, both politically and economically, on world affairs;

2.  Is aware of, and deeply concerned by, the economic consequences of this failure, which may be summarised as follows:

• -losing new south-south trade which, with the new power and responsibilities of China, Brazil and the emerging economies of Asia and South America, would lead to a more integrated global economy;
• -losing vital new access for Europe and the US to the markets of emerging economies such as China and Brazil for the exportation of industrial goods;
• -losing the possibility of further reforms in the agriculture sector with new market access for farm goods through tariff cuts and a reduction of subsidies;
• -losing new trade in manufacturing, which is vital for the EU and the US, as well as for the growing industrial sectors of the developing world, since most tariffs paid in the global economy are for industrial goods;
• -losing a deal on trade in services and foregoing the developmental benefits of foreign investment and the global flow of skills and experience to the developing world;
• -losing a new multilateral agreement on duty-free quotas and free market access for the Least Developed Countries similar to that extended by the EU since 2001, as well as losing a huge new global Aid for Trade package;
• -losing the opportunity to rewrite the global trade rulebook in the trade facilitation negotiations in order to improve the standardisation of customs practice, with important benefits for developing countries;

3.  Is also aware of, and deeply concerned about, the greater political cost of that suspension, which is weakening the WTO and the multilateral trading system at a time when we need to increase international confidence and not damage it further, by stabilising the world and not creating additional tensions;

4.  Recognises that the European Union adopted a flexible approach in the negotiations and made a significant improvement on its original proposal, especially in the agriculture sector, in line with the recommendations made by the Heads of State at the G-8 meeting in St Petersburg;

5.  Views as regrettable the lack of a parallel willingness and flexibility on the part of other leading parties and regards it as one of the most important causes of the suspension of the negotiations;

6.  Calls on the Commission not to give up on this Round and urges it to take all the necessary steps to restart the negotiations, if it is possible, in order to reach a global agreement in the interests of the developing world, which is the core of the Doha Round, as well as of the European Union;

7.  Calls on the Commission to explore ways to reinforce economic links between economic areas within the framework and spirit of the principles and objectives of the Doha Development Round;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States and accession countries, and the Director-General of the WTO.