EP - Failure of Cancún - Yes to multilateralism

Motions for resolutions - Outcome of the WTO Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Cancún
Doc.: B5-0399/2003/REV1, B5-0400/2003, B5-0401/2003/REV1, B5-0402/2003, B5-0404/2003, B5-0405/2003

Debate : 24.09.2003
Vote: 25.09.2003

Vote

The House adopted a joint resolution on the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Cancún. Parliament regrets that WTO members missed the opportunity to implement the Doha Development Agenda and establish a framework for its conclusion by 2004. MEPs fear that this will be to the detriment of the world economy but not least to the developing countries. The House also stresses, however, that the Doha Development Round continues and confirms that the EU offer in the negotiations still stands.

The House continues strongly to support multilateral trade agreements as the best mechanism for promoting free and fair trade to the benefit of all, not least for the developing countries. MEPs warn WTO members against the risks for developing countries, and especially less developed countries, inherent in unilateral trade policies. The House stresses, therefore, its commitment to the open and liberal multilateral trading system of the WTO. The House also calls on the United States to rally to the EU and its efforts to save the multilateral approach in international trade politics.

Specifically, MEPs warmly welcome the agreement reached in Geneva on affordable access to medicines. The House notes, however, the concerns expressed that rules designed to prevent abuse could obstruct the effective operation of the agreement. MEPs call on the EU Member States to make a clear commitment to the expeditious authorisation of the necessary licences on request.

The House also expresses particular regret at the failure in Cancun to agree on abolition of the trade-distorting subsidies for cotton, particularly the $3.5 billion subsidies paid to US cotton producers, which threaten the livelihoods of 10 million African cotton farmers. However, MEPs welcome the EU's willingness to take on board the cotton initiative of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Benin and to eliminate the most trade-distorting support, and call on the Commission, in close cooperation with the ACP and other developing countries, to table proposals for an early agreement on a fair deal for cotton producers, as well as to press the USA to respond positively with an early reform of its cotton sector.

Finally, MEPs commit themselves to organising at the beginning of 2004, a conference in the Parliament in co-operation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union to discuss further steps in both the WTO trade negotiations and reform of the WTO.

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