By Robin Chan

BRUSSELS: Progress on the Doha Round could well be the stimulus needed to jump-start world trade and boost a global recovery, according to a high- level European official.

But Mr Joaquin Almunia, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, stopped short of backing the 2010 target set by World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy last week.

Speaking to The Straits Times in his Brussels office, Mr Almunia said: 'It will depend on other factors not in my constituency but at the European level; you can be sure that the European Union will contribute as much as possible to this agreement.'

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.