Press release 29 July 2008
Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Unique opportunity missed in Doha Round

"It appears that the WTO negotiations have collapsed. The Government regrets the fact that the WTO member states have not managed to reach an agreement," says Minister for Trade Ewa Björling.

"A unique opportunity has been missed to give the world economy a well-needed vitamin boost in times of disquiet with rising oil and food prices. This is regrettable, not least from a development perspective."

Aside from the lost economic benefits for the world economy, the collapse of the Doha Round represents a blow to the credibility of the multilateral system.

The Doha Round has been underway since 2001 and involves the WTO's 153 member states. It is not clear at present how the WTO intends to continue with the process. It is not unlikely that the Doha Round will be put on hold for several years to come.

"Despite this latest setback, Sweden will continue to work for freer world trade," concludes Dr Björling.