France stands against WTO deal

French President Nicolas Sarkozy

France has opposed the proposals for a trade pact at WTO talks currently underway in Geneva, for showing no progress on essential matters.

"Today, the cabinet considers that the project currently on the table is not acceptable as it stands, to the extent that it shows no advance on elements which are altogether essential in our eyes," French Government spokesman Luc Chatel said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy complained to European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso about WTO's proposed deal after his Thursday warnings were ignored by EU's Chief Trade Negotiator Peter Mandelson.

Sarkozy also demanded the EU's Chief Trade Negotiator Peter Mandelson's travel to Paris to explain his position, but his demand was refused.

On Thursday, the French president warned that he would not sign the deal if it was not modified, but Mandelson ignored the warning.

'I have no reaction, except to say that the Commission is charged with negotiating here at the WTO on behalf of all the member states and we will continue to do so on the basis of the mandate we have,' the EU's chief trade negotiator said.

Paris believes that the trade pact at WTO talks in Geneva would not protect the European industrial interests in the face of emerging countries.
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