The chances of an overall deal on world trade in 2011 are about 60-40, according to leading EU trade official David O'Sullivan. He also said he had not given up hope of reaching an agreement this year.
The current round of talks to liberalise world trade have been stalled since July 2008 when a deal seemed close. But they broke down in a row over cotton between the US and India.
Speaking to Irish agricultural journalists in Brussels, Mr O'Sullivan said Ireland would benefit from a deal on world trade, and he criticised comments by some groups in Ireland about the possible negative impact on farming.
Mr O'Sullivan said the EU would keep trying for a deal because the stakes are so high. But he asked if various negotiating blocs could not do a deal on world trade, how could they reach agreement on climate change?
