Any move to reverse Doha architecture not acceptable: Kamal Nath

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said the Doha round of negotiations must be fully consistent with the Doha mandate, the July Framework Agreement and the Hong Kong Declaration, and any move to reverse or renegotiate the architecture of the negotiations cannot be acceptable.

Mr Nath who attended the meeting of G-33 Ministers and Heads of Delegations present in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and discussed the current situation of the Doha round.

''We remain fully committed to a dialogue with all developing country groups with a view to achieving a common understanding and position on all aspects of Special Products (SPs) and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM). We also reiterate that the purpose of these instruments is not to impede market access.'' ''It is more to provide effective instruments for developing countries to address fundamental development concerns as they engage in the Doha round and make a contribution towards its success. That contribution cannot be, however, at the expense of the livelihood of the rural poor and disadvantaged in our countries'', he added.

He also deliberated on the course of action needed to ensure that the negotiations lead to an outcome consistent with the development mandate of the round.

The group of countries, G-33 also said a successful outcome must have as an integral component effective and operational provision address the food security, livelihood security and rural development needs of developing countries.

UNI SBA CS HS2000