Brasília, April 29, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, commemorated Brazil's victory in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in opposition to the subsidies granted to cotton growers in developed countries. In his view the decision symbolizes an important conquest for developing countries.

Amorim said yesterday (28) that the decision contributes to discussions within the purview of the Doha (Qatar) Round. "I think the impact is positive, because this gives a further boost to the 'delegitimation' of the millionaire subsidies, which get in the way of the poor countries," he said. The Minister recalled that various major newspapers around the world referred to the importance of this issue.

The Doha Round, a series of multilateral negotiations in the ambit of the World Trade Organization, is scheduled to end by January 1, 2005.

Translator: David Silberstein