MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

EU praises G-20 and blasts US.

European Union Trade Commissar Pascal Lamy addressing the G-20 in Brasilia said that negotiations to make “protectionism more flexible” had begun and underlined the need to differentiate the EU position from the United States less flexible stand.

"The new European agricultural policy gives us better conditions than previously to negotiate", indicated Mr. Lamy who underlined that "EU and US policies must not be considered similar, because they are different".

Mr. Lamy was addressing the ministerial meeting of the Group of 20, that includes such countries as Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Argentina, Indonesia, Chile, who are strongly lobbying for an end of developed countries agriculture subsidies and conditioning trade talks to advances in the elimination of rich countries farmers' financial assistance.

The G-20 played a crucial part in the WTO talks recently held in Mexico and was severely criticized by the United States for its strong position "that led to its failure".

However Mr. Lamy said that G-20 must make an initial "flexibilisation" offer, "you must move first".

Mr. Lamy was referring to industrial tariffs, anti-dumping regulations, services, origin rules and government procurement. G-20 is insistent in farm subsidies reduction, market access and differential consideration for certain economies.

During the G-20 meeting Brazilian president launched the idea of a free trade zone among developing countries, beginning with G-20 members.