The breakdown of the Cancun Ministerial Meeting

I regret that it was impossible to reach consensus on the Singapore issues. This is the more regrettable because the gaps on farm trade liberalisation have finally started to narrow down. A deal on agriculture would have been possible. The EU was ready to do the necessary to make it possible. We have offered significant and targeted measures to give developing countries a better deal. We have accepted the approach that rich countries have to shoulder the major part of the burden of liberalisation.

All these offers fully remain on the table.

Whatever happens to the Doha Development Agenda, one thing I can promise : For us, there is no way back. Europe will continue the path of agriculture reform we have embarked upon. We will continue to change our farm policy to make it more competitive, trade-friendly and more in tune with the interests of the poor countries, European farmers and citizens.