Buenos Aires, Oct 11: Developing countries, including India, under the banner of G-22 have called for a fair global trade liberaliation and sought to deflate passions that flared last month at the WTO talks in Cancun. Ministers and officials from Latin America, Asia and Africa that form the bloc met here yesterday in a bid to maintain their unity and momentum following the collapse of the talks in the Mexican resort, amid a bitter dispute with richer nations over farm subsidies. However, cracks have appeared in the group. Peru withdrew last week and Guatemala has also pulled out. Many did not send ministers to the ministerial meeting. Despite this, members who were present here demanded that World Trade Organisation (WTO) liberalisation proceed in a fair manner, and stressed that agriculture remains a "central part" of future talks. "We agree that the multilateral system of commerce is essential in order to continue the process of commercial liberalisation on a just and stable basis," the group said in a declaration signed by India, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Mexico, Paraguay, South Africa and Venezuela.
They said the contentious sticking-point of agriculture and farm subsidies would form a key part of future talks.
Bureau Report