NEWS RELEASES
PETTIGREW TO ATTEND WTO MEETING IN MEXICO CITY
August 23, 2001 (6:40 p.m. EDT) No. 123
PETTIGREW TO ATTEND WTO MEETING IN MEXICO CITY
Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew will participate in a meeting of trade ministers from a
representative group of developed and developing WTO members from August 31 to September 1 in Mexico
City. At the meeting, participants will focus on building the broader consensus necessary to launch expanded
WTO negotiations at the WTO's Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, November 9 to13.
"This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for this small group of ministers to hear each other out and help
build momentum for the launch of new WTO negotiations," said Minister Pettigrew. "It is simply one step on the
road to Doha, however, and there will be no conclusive outcomes. Much more work will need to be done by all
WTO members in the weeks leading up to Doha."
In Mexico City, Mr. Pettigrew will continue to play a constructive role in bridging differences among other
members, and to advocate an ambitious WTO negotiating agenda that maximizes opportunities for growth and
sustainable development for all WTO members -- developed and developing.
Canada continues to work with all its trading partners to actively pursue Canadian interests at the WTO,
including in the agriculture and services negotiations that were launched in 2000 as part of the WTO's "built in"
agenda. At the same time, Minister Pettigrew also continues to promote enhanced WTO transparency and to
consult with Canadians on Canada's trade policy.
Other invitees to the Mexico City meeting include the WTO's Director General and trade ministers from
Australia, Brazil, Egypt, the European Union, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar,
Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, the United States and Uruguay.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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