Doha Round not moved satisfactorily : PM

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today lamented that the Doha Round of negotiations had not moved at a satisfactory pace and said India and the EU were committed to making it a success.

''The Doha Round has not moved at a pace at which it ought to have,'' the Prime Minister said at a press conference after the conclusion of the Eighth India-EU Summit here.

A Joint Statement issued after the talks said India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system and to a deeper level of bilateral trade relations.

''The successful and timely outcome of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) multilateral trade negotiations remains the foremost trade policy priority of the two sides,'' it said.

Both sides expressed determination to work closely together to ensure the successful conclusion of the DDA negotiations through a comprehensive, balanced and ambitious outcome in all areas of negotiation.

They also agreed that the development mandate of the Doha Ministerial Declaration must be honoured and reflected in the modalities being negotiated as also in the final outcome.

''A successful conclusion of the negotiations must yield an outcome that enhances market opening and contributes to development,'' the Joint Statement said.

UNI