KEY POINTS:
The first day of a last-ditch attempt to try to breathe life into world trade liberalisation talks has left Trade Minister Phil Goff mildly optimistic.
Speaking after the opening session of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks in Geneva, Goff said ministers had agreed to work within the draft text agreement drawn up by officials.
"The mood was generally reasonably upbeat but we talking in this stage in generalities."
Detailed negotiations were yet to get under way.
"But we are in a much stronger position than we were two years ago."
Goff did not think WTO members were just going through the motions of negotiation with no real intent of reaching an agreement over cuts.
"I think most people certainly want to get an outcome, but the challenge is getting a consensus."
Major players such as the United States and Europe had come to the meeting wanting to engage and find a way through their differences, he said.
"Among some of the main players there are sharp differences in interests."
The US were keen to get wider access to developing countries, the agricultural countries wanted the US to slash its trade subsidies and others such as Japan did not want to reduce agricultural trade barriers.
Talks were originally set down to end this Saturday, but there were suggestions that the meeting could last two or three days longer.
In his opening statement to the trade negotiations committee, Goff said the state of the world economy meant it was essential an agreement was reached.
He said there would have to be compromise, but failure could not be accepted as an outcome.
Before Goff left for Geneva said the ministerial meeting was the last realistic chance of reaching agreement and if it did not succeed it could have drastic consequences for reducing global trade barriers.
"A failure to do so could the round going on ice for several years, and growing protectionist pressures could see key WTO members less willing to re-engage in the negotiations."
- NZPA
