Minister for Trade Michael Ahern expresses disappointment at collapse of trade talks

The Minister for Trade, Michael Ahern, TD, has expressed his disappointment at the sudden collapse of the World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Speaking from Cancun, the Minister said: "I am of course disappointed at the failure to reach agreement. The issues on our agenda over the past few days are important ones, not just for Ireland but for the rest of the world, including in particular the developing countries. Ireland worked hard within the European Union to make progress on all of the matters under discussion and the outcome does not reflect the effort we put in to secure agreement."

"I believe that we must now redouble our efforts to resolve outstanding difficulties and officials will be working hard over the coming weeks and months in Geneva in an effort to do just that." Minister Ahern was accompanied at the talks in Cancun by the Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh and Development Minister Tom Kitt.

ENDS/TC63

Press Release: Cancun, Mexico - 14 September 2003.