Press Release: Germany: Economics Minister Clement welcomes progress in WTO negotiations

Economics and Labor Minister Wolfgang Clement: 'I am happy that the WTO members have taken advantage of the opportunity to make substantial progress in the current round of world trade talks prior to the election in the United States and the change of the European Commission. A positive signal for further negotiations has been sent out in Geneva. The setback experienced in Cancún has been overcome. A success of the Doha Round is close at hand. This will be important for growth and employment in Germany. It also is a positive sign for the global economy in general, not least of all for the developing countries, who stand to profit from a further liberalization of world trade. This success will strengthen the multilateral system of world trade and help promote free trade, something Germany is particularly dependent on as an export-oriented country. The EU has contributed significantly towards achieving this result by making advance concessions and showing a willingness to compromise.'