The leaders of the Group of Eight nations appear likely to agree next week to pursue the launch of a new round of global trade liberalization negotiations by the end of this year, but many obstacles remain.
Government sources said Friday that in a joint declaration to be issued July 23, the final day of the three-day summit in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, the G8 leaders are likely to affirm their commitment to an early launch of the new round and specifically express a desire to see that happen by the end of this year.
The issue of whether the G8 leaders will be able to set a specific target date for the launch of the new round will be a main focus at the Okinawa summit. The G8 comprises the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Russia.
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