MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Agriculture and subsidies condition Doha Round talks.

The 147 country members of the World Trade Organization must reach an agreement on agriculture by the end of the month if the Doha Round is to advance in time for the implementation in 2005 of further trade liberalization

In spite of the lack of results during last weekend's meeting in Paris of delegations from Brazil, India, Australia, European Union and United States, Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Celso Amorim said he was hopeful the world's leading trade powers would converge positions in three main issues, elimination of export subsidies, elimination of internal subsidies and market access.

"I believe there were hopeful elements in the discussions, a possible convergence in the elimination of all internal subsidies, greater market access for most products and even more important a convergence of concepts", said Mr. Amorim on his return to Brazil.

According to the Brazilian official the different delegations will now attempt a "greater specificity for the agreement", which will not be a "minimalist accord".

However WTO Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi appealed to developing countries to act in the negotiations with greater "flexibility" and "realism", otherwise they will be the most harmed by a failure of the Doha Round.

"It's essential we avoid creating useless divisions", said Mr. Panitchpakdi addressing the G-90 group of the poorest nations of the world currently meeting in Mauritius island.