§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her policy regarding(a) the Cancun agreements on trade and (b) bilateral agreements. [155114]
§ Ms HewittThere are welcome signs that the DDA negotiations could make significant progress in 2004. I welcome the recent appointment of WTO chairs, which should instil fresh impetus to these negotiations following the disappointing conclusion to the Cancun ministerial.
While bilateral agreements have a complementary role to play in promoting closer political, social and economic co-operation, the UK firmly believes that the biggest gains to the global economy would come from securing a successful outcome to the current round of WTO multilateral trade negotiations. This will ensure a global framework for free and fair trade, providing increased opportunity and prosperity for developed and developing countries alike.