Following constructive discussions at the OECD Conference this week, we have had two days of intensive dialogue on advancing the Doha Round.

Our meetings were productive and included discussions in all the core negotiating areas with a particular focus on agriculture, NAMA (Non-Agricultural Market Access) and services.

On Friday, we had an exchange of ideas with the agriculture and NAMA chairs, Crawford Falconer and Don Stephenson.

As outlined last month in New Delhi, we will continue to hold intensive talks at the senior official and ministerial levels in the coming weeks with a view to find convergence. We will formally meet again next month.

We remain committed and hopeful that our efforts, coupled with the work being done at the multilateral level in Geneva, will lead to a successful conclusion of this Round by the end of this year.

Brussels, 18 May 2007

Minister Celso Amorim, Brazil
Commissioner Peter Mandelson, European Union
Minister Kamal Nath, India
Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, United States

Source: Ministry of External Relations