Everything must be done to allow Least Developed
Countries access to affordable medicines.
Pharmaceutical patents
This report dealt with aspects of the WTO agreement on
TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) with regard
to the provision of medicines in poor countries. The compromise form that
was agreed should have a downward effect on prices of medicines in developing
countries even though it might not actually be called into use. Conservatives
are pleased that this important report has been voted through and hope that
this will help lead to progress on TRIPS in the negotiations in Hong Kong.
Everything possible must be done to allow Least Developed Countries, which
lack production capabilities, access to affordable medicines.
Council and Commission statement - preparation for the
ministerial conference of the WTO
Despite opposition from Socialists and Greens to a joint
resolution that they had helped draft the Parliament's motion on preparations
for the WTO Ministerial was voted through. It highlights issues
which the Commission should focus on during negotiations in Hong Kong. Conservatives
agree with the sentiments of the resolution: pro-development in
its focus and realistic about the benefits of free trade.
The resolution recognises that the lack of progress on
agriculture, market access and services in the past year has reduced greatly
the likelihood of a successful outcome at the WTO Ministerial.
This must remain the aim: if Hong Kong fails to deliver as a development
round the WTO will be undermined and a huge opportunity to lift
millions out of poverty will have been missed. These talks must not be allowed
to be side-tracked into squabbles over certain minority interests, they
are too important for that. This resolution shows the determination of Conservatives'
to reach agreement on terms that are good for Europe and help the
world's poor.
