The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) vowed to actively participate in bringing to successful conclusion the long-stalled World Trade Organization (WTO) talks, a draft document said Sunday, the dpa reported.
The 10-member regional organization said that it is prepared to do its share in ensuring that the Doha Development Agenda will be concluded this year.
"With the completion of the negotiations within reach, we urge all WTO members to show strong leadership and flexibility when addressing all key issues," according to the draft statement.
Negotiations of the Doha Development Round has been going on for seven years and WTO Director General Pascal Lamy said the talks have reached a critical point.
Fresh rounds of negotiations are to start next week in Geneva, where ministers from 152 governments are expected to push toward successful conclusion of a new global trade pact.
The ASEAN ministers noted that "a prompt, ambitious, balanced conclusion to the Doha Round" could help developing countries in overcoming the spiralling cost of food prices.
The ministers underscored the importance of a predictable and rule-based global trading system that will promote trade liberalization and increased economic opportunities to WTO members.
ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.