Brazil, EU 'optimistic' about clinching WTO deal

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GENEVA, Dec 2 (AFP): Brazil and the European Union's chief trade negotiators expressed optimism yesterday that a global trade liberalisation deal could be done, saying that there was increasing convergence in their views.
"I think that ... to a large extent now, both Brazil and the EU can help to come to a final deal," Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said after talks with his EU counterpart Catherine Ashton.
He said both parties now have "converging views" and that they shared a "common interest in bringing this round to a close."
Ashton said she was "cautiously optimistic" about concluding the so-called Doha round, noting that there were still issues to be addressed.
"I think we are at a point in our discussions when I can see a potential to complete this round," Ashton added in a joint press conference with the Amorim. Launched in the Qatari capital in late 2001, the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Doha round has floundered ever since in disputes between developed and developing countries on how to ease barriers to trade in agricultural and industrial products.