The European Commission said today a proposed deal to rescue global trade talks was a step in the right direction but needed clarification if it is to lead to an agreement by the end of July.
Commission agriculture spokesman Mr Gregor Kreuzhuber
Mediators at the World Trade Organization (WTO) presented a draft last Friday for an agreement on how to steer the troubled Doha Round talks towards a pact on reforming global trade.
"Our feeling is that the text goes in the right direction. It is definitely a step forward, not a step back, which is not always obvious in these delicate negotiations," Commission agriculture spokesman Mr Gregor Kreuzhuber said.
EU trade spokeswoman Ms Arancha Gonzalez said the compromise text was "a basis for further work" and that Brussels would seek further precision.
Mr Kreuzhuber said the agricultural part of the document needed to "lock in" reform of the US Farm Bill, which was not yet the case.