STOCKHOLM, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Sweden said on Wednesday it would use its European Union presidency to promote a broad world trade liberalisation agenda including environmental issues and workers' rights.
"Trade rules must be in harmony with international environmental treaties. The WTO should also promote human rights in the labour market," Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh told the national parliament.
Lindh's stance, part of a foreign policy speech broadcast live on SVT2 television, was in line with the EU's drive for a wide World Trade Organisation (WTO) agenda.
Developing countries have objected to bringing minimum labour standards on to the agenda of the WTO.
"World trade must be based on fair rules. Sweden is working to promote a new WTO round and to support the interests of developing countries," she said.
"More countries must open their borders for trade and investment," Lindh said. Sweden wanted the EU to abolish customs tariffs on goods for the world's 48 poorest countries.
Sweden was also keen to see the WTO family grow, she said, noting Stockholm supported China's application to join the trade body.:
