WTO draft declaration not enough for developing countries, Moroccan minister

The draft declaration of the 5th World Trade Organization ministerial conference contains several improvements but it does not fully take into account developing countries' concerns, said minister of foreign trade, Mustapha Mechahouri, who leads the Moroccan delegation to the conference.

During a meeting Saturday of heads of delegations, Mechahouri voiced Morocco's hope that the final text of the declaration cancels export subsidies and takes into account the concerns expressed by developing countries. The Moroccan official also took part in a meeting of three Maghreban ministers participating in the conference from Mauritania, Tunisia, and Algeria. The ministers discussed issues part of the conference agenda, lauding the convergence of their opinions in the issues they discussed.

They voiced total support to the initiative of Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad on cotton production and to the adhesion of Maghreban countries that are not WTO-members to the organization.

The Maghreban ministers agreed to summon a meeting of the experts committee next October to draft an agreement on the creation of the Maghreban free trade zone.