History – and especially Denmark's experience – shows that increased trade is an important precondition for growth, employment and prosperity.
Therefore, Denmark actively supports the free trade agreements that already have been concluded under the WTO (World Trade Organization), and Denmark is actively involved in developing the agreements as part of the global Doha Round. Our goal is to open markets and ensure competition on more equal terms, also in connection with the settlement of disputes. At the same time, Denmark finds it of great importance that fair and favourable terms be agreed for the benefit of the developing countries.
In the Doha Round, many negotiations remain to be concluded before a new free trade agreement can be reached. An important step towards this goal will be the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December 2015. The EU has generally played an important role in the negotiations, and Denmark considers it very important that the EU continues this effort. Other parties to the negotiations will, however, also have to make concessions if an agreement is to be concluded that will benefit all.
The ongoing negotiations in the agricultural area are decisive for the prospects of the Doha Round. Denmark, therefore, supports the flexibility demonstrated by the EU, in particular regarding an offer to abolish agricultural export subsidies. In order to sustain the momentum, all parties must be prepared to make fair and balanced concessions corresponding to the overall aims and objectives of the framework agreement, including in areas such as improved market access for agricultural produce and reductions in trade-distorting domestic support. In the area of agriculture, as is the case in the other negotiation areas, i.e. industrial goods, services and governmental procurement. Special consideration must be shown for the needs of the developing countries and particularly favourable terms must be agreed for the benefit of these countries.