S. Korean president calls for conclusion of Doha round to boost trade

By Byun Duk-kun
L'AQUILA, Italy, July 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called
for increased efforts Thursday to fight trade protectionism, raising concerns
that recent trends toward erecting trade barriers in the face of the global
economic and financial crisis was slowing the pace of recovery.

Lee's call came in his speech at a trade session of the Major Economies Forum
held in Italy's central city of L'Aquila.
The South Korean president also called for efforts to conclude the Doha trade
negotiations, saying that doing so would be the best solution in boosting slowing
international trade.
"According to a recent forecast by the WTO, global trade for 2009 will decrease
by a shocking 10 percent. This is a very important and urgent matter that
requires our special efforts and cooperation," Lee said.
"On that note, I believe the joint calls made at the G-20 summits in Washington
last year and in London this April for a standstill on trade barriers and the
early conclusion of the Doha round was very timely and appropriate," he said.
"It is needless to say that an early conclusion of the Doha round is the best way
to boost international trade. The most important thing at this point of time for
the conclusion of the Doha round is for the leaders to make a political
decision," he said.
Thursday's meeting was attended by the participants of the annual G-8 summit held
here from Wednesday -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and
the United States -- and 20 other countries, including the group of five emerging
nations -- Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.
"Before the ongoing global financial crisis began, the world economy enjoyed a
steady growth that was unprecedented in history, and I believe this was because
of continued expansion in trade more than anything else," President Lee told the
leaders.
"I wish this meeting here will be a chance for us leaders to once again declare
that the world urgently needs increased trade for the fast recovery of its
economy," he ad