WTO chief says large countries signal flexibility

MANILA, Dec 14: World Trade Organisation (WTO) Chief Pascal Lamy said on Thursday that all leading WTO member states had signalled flexibility to try and re-start global trade talks.

''All the big players have given general signals of flexibility'', Lamy said in a video conference call with a Philippine audience.

The five-year-old WTO talks over reducing global trade subsidies and barriers were halted in July after major powers locked horns over politically sensitive issues, especially calls to dismantle agricultural protection.

Trade officials say the suspension could last years without a breakthrough in early 2007.

Discussions restarted on a limited basis last month, with various negotiating groups in Geneva revisiting technical issues.

Lamy had said last week he saw no sign that leading WTO member states were ready to adopt the sort of flexibility needed for a successful meeting of ministers to clinch a deal.

REUTERS