AFX.COM | September 15, 2003
World Trade Organization Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi Sunday expressed disappointment over the collapse of the Cancun conference, but vowed trade liberalization talks will not be derailed.
"I have to admit I'm quite disappointed with the way we have concluded this meeting," Supachai said at a news conference.
But he insisted progress was made on several issues during the five days and nights of hard bargaining, and said he will continue working with what has been achieved upon his return to the WTO headquarters in Geneva, where he said "we will try to reconstruct the process."
"The task has become more complicated but I don't think we are daunted by this complication," he said.
"We need to be flexible and really give and take, Supachai said, adding that "we just cannot allow this round to be derailed."
The talks floundered on inability to reach consensus over proposals for talks on investment, competition and other issues that developing countries reject.AFX.COM:
