Saudi Arabia and India agree to study feasibility of establishing power grid    Saudi Awwal Bank records SR5.9 billion net profit after Zakat and Income Tax for YTD Q3    Economy minister emphasizes global partnerships to address pressing challenges Private investments in non-oil sector soar 70%    Saudi Arabia's GDP grows 2.8% in Q3, driven by non-oil sectors    PIF, HKMA sign MoU to establish $1 billion investment fund    Israeli soldiers forced Palestinian men to take off clothes as they evacuated war-torn Jabalya    North Korea fires suspected intercontinental missile    India celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights    'It was like a tsunami': Spaniards recount horror of deadly floods    Bahrain Crown Prince receives Saudi Interior Minister    In-person classes will remain suspended in Jeddah, Rabigh and Khulais schools on Thursday    HR Ministry takes penal action against 568 violators of Domestic Workers' Regulation    Derby Week makes its debut in the Roshn Saudi League    Al Nassr eliminated from King's Cup after a defeat to Al Taawoun    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    Othman Al Omeir receives Legacy of Change Medal at the UK Parliament for advocacy in media    Neymar joins Saudi fashion trend, donning traditional attire at Al Hilal match    Indonesia Days event celebrates cultural diversity at Al Suwaidi Park    Saudi Football Federation reappoints Hervé Renard to lead national team    Tarzan star Ron Ely dies aged 86    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



ARABS STATES TO FORM GROUPING AT WTO
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 20 - 06 - 2006

THE 12 ARAB MEMBER STATES OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION (WTO) WILL FORM A NEGOTIATING BLOC WITHIN THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM, EGYPTIAN TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER RASHID MOHAMMED RASHID SAID ON TUESDAY ACCORDING TO REUTERS.
RASHID TOLD REPORTERS ON THE SIDELINES OF A MEETING OF ARAB MINISTERS THAT WTO DIRECTOR-GENERAL PASCAL LAMY WOULD RECEIVE OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE NEW GROUP NEXT WEEK.
RASHID SAID THE MEMBERS DID NOT EXPECT THE BLOC TO HAVE A COMMON POSITION IN ALL CASES. "THE ISSUES ARE COMPLICATED AND WE EXPECT THAT WE WON'T HAVE COMMON GROUND ON EVERYTHING, BUT WE'RE SEEKING A MINIMUM AGREEMENT," HE SAID.
THE BLOC WILL SUPPORT THE INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS OF ITS MEMBER STATES AS LONG AS THOSE INTERESTS DID NOT CLASH WITH THOSE OF THE REST OF THE BLOC, RASHID SAID.
HE SAID HE HAD DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH LAMY, WHO WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE INITIATIVE.
"THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN THE WTO DOES ENCOURAGE SUCH GROUPINGS," RACHID SAID, CITING THE ORGANISATION'S NEED FOR CONSENSUS AND THE DIFFICULTIES OFTEN FACED BY SMALLER COUNTRIES WITH LIMITED RESOURCES DURING NEGOTIATIONS.
HE SAID EGYPT WOULD WANT TO ENSURE IT KEPT ITS PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
THE BLOC IS EXPECTED TO EVENTUALLY INCLUDE SIX OTHER ARAB STATES WHICH ARE NOW IN TALKS ON ACCESSION TO THE WTO.
TEAMS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WILL START MEETING FORMALLY NEXT WEEK.


Clic here to read the story from its source.