Berlin - European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson expressed optimism Thursday about restarting the stalled global talks on trade liberalization with a possible breakthrough in negotiations next month. "We are not yet at the end of the road," he said at a press briefing in Berlin. "There will be tough talking and hard negotiations."
The last round of the long-running trade talks broke down in the middle of last year over a dispute between developing countries and the industrialized world over opening up farm markets.
Mandelson expressed the hope of a breakthrough next month in the talks on industrial and rural issues.
He told reporters that from conversations he has had with several world leaders he believed that there was a strong political will to sign off on a trade deal.
But he warned: "Those playing for time are playing with fire."
He went on to say: "The longer it takes to complete the agreement this year the weaker becomes the incentive to complete it."
However, as European Trade Commissioner, Mandelson also said he would "not recommend a deal at any price and on any conditions."
