New Delhi: The stalled WTO (World Trade Organisation) talks are likely move a step forward when European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy holds parleys with Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi tomorrow (Jan 19, 2004).

Lamy, who arrives in New Delhi on his first visit after the trade talks collapsed in Cancun in September, is likely to discuss threadbare various contentious issues including Agriculture subsidy and Singapore issues.

Before starting his South Asian tour to Bangladesh, India and Indonesia, Lamy indicated that Doha Development agenda would be his prime focus during the visit.

"It is all in our hands to make sure that 2004 is a useful year for WTO talks. All WTO members have clearly expressed their commitment to the multilateral trade system and their wish to see WTO talks advance," Lamy said.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of failure of WTO General Council last month to break the stalemate and provides an opportunity to narrow differences between developed and developing nations to re-start the talks.

Lamy is also expected to discuss time-frame for holding the next WTO Ministerial with Jaitley which in the wake of US Presidential elections is likely to be held early next year.