PHL remains committed to Doha talks — new PHL ambassador to WTO 

The Philippines has announced its commitment to the Doha Development Agenda even as the multilateral trade talks among the members of the World Trade Organization have stalled. Newly appointed permanent representative to the WTO Esteban Conejos Jr. made the pledge as he presented his letter of credentials to WTO director-general Pascal Lamy in Geneva on July 27 . The multilateral trade talks came to an impasse in Doha as many rich economies refused to lift farm subsidies to level the playing field with developing countries. According to a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs Tuesday, Lamy said that while long-term solutions are needed, it was important “to keep the wheels moving” to prevent the international trading system from moving backwards. Lamy urged the negotiating countries to “change gears” in order for the talks to produce results. “[W]e have to recognize that prolonged and dogmatic discussions about whether or not to deliver on everything or a few things or nothing at all have not and will not take us very far," he said. "The only thing we know is that an ‘all or nothing’ [strategy] does not work. A ‘my way or the highway’ is the best way to ensure paralysis,” Lamy told the WTO members at the General Council on July 25 regarding the Doha talks. The DFA also cited Lamy as saying the significant role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in WTO as the region deepens is its trade and economic integration. The economic block is working towards creating a single market by 2015. The WTO chief said the Philippines is an “important player in the WTO,” adding that relative to its size and level of development, the country “punches above the average.” Conejos said the Philippines has increased its leverage for global investments with its better-than-expected 6.4 percent gross domestic product growth in the first quarter of 2012. — BM/VS, GMA News