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Mike
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Renato
Ruggiero's speeches, 1995-99
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Mr. Moore, who met with both Chinese Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng and
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in Shanghai during the
ministerial meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum,
said he was impressed with the focus and determination shown by both
ministers.
“This
weekend's announcement clearly represents the push we needed to
accelerate China's accession so that a decision on China's membership
can be taken by our Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar this
November,” he said. “China's clear commitment to a rapid accession
as well as its unequivocal support for launching a new round of
multilateral trade negotiations bodes extremely well for the Doha
Ministerial Conference and the future of the WTO.”
Equally
important, Mr. Moore noted, is the declared intention of European
Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy to move swiftly to conclude
outstanding EU issues with China. Mr. Moore urged all participants in
the China Accession Working Party to bridge remaining differences
during their meeting 28 June to 4 July in Geneva so that a decision on
China's WTO membership can be taken this year.
Mr. Moore
said it was important that the key players work quickly to translate
negotiating progress into multilaterally viable texts and other
related data for the information and approval of WTO Members in
Geneva. The forthcoming meeting of the Working Party offers an
excellent opportunity to make progress in this area, he said.
“The stage is
clearly set for a substantive negotiating meeting later this month and
for intensive work between now and Doha to clear up other parts of
China's final accession package.”
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