Focus on agriculture in Petersen’s WTO talks in Japan

Foreign Minister Jan Petersen had talks on Thursday 20 May with Japan’s foreign, trade and agriculture ministers on the current negotiating round in the WTO.

Norway and Japan co-operate closely on many WTO issues, especially agriculture, trade rules and trade in services. Both countries, together with others such as Switzerland and South Korea, are members of the G10 group, and work closely together in the agricultural negotiations on avoiding large tariff reductions.

"It is in Norway’s and Japan’s interest that the WTO negotiations are successful. Both countries are dependent on good, predictable framework conditions for international trade. Norway has offensive interests in the negotiations on market access for, for example, fish and services. But we are facing major challenges in the area of agriculture. We will co-operate closely with Japan on achieving results that safeguard Norwegian agricultural interests," said Mr Petersen.

The WTO negotiations are currently in an intense phase, with a view to achieving agreement on a framework for completing the negotiations by the end of July. Agriculture continues to be the most difficult issue, and there is still considerable disagreement between key players.

"Close contact with key players like Japan is important for Norway in a critical situation like this. We are willing to contribute to a solution, for example by phasing out export subsidies and reducing domestic transfers to agriculture. At the same time it must be possible to maintain support schemes that do not affect trade and that provide sufficient tariff protection. The government’s aim is to make it possible to maintain a viable agricultural sector in countries with difficult production conditions like Norway," said the Minister.