DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Trade ministers declared on Saturday they would work to resolve their remaining differences this year in the Doha Round of trade talks.
In a statement, released after some two dozen key trade ministers met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort, they also pledged to refrain from raising new trade barriers.
Swiss economy minister Doris Leuthard, whose country hosted the talks, said trade ministers could meet on the Doha Round before the April 2 G20 summit of world leaders, which wants to settle on clear actions for tackling the global economic and financial crisis.
Leuthard said a trade deal was an important part of this.
"We have to build a better understanding for trade at home. The opening up of markets is the best (thing) we can do to fight the crisis," she said.
Political leaders at Davos have warned against a retreat into trade protectionism as governments cope with recession and failed banking systems, saying such a step would worsen the global economic downturn.
(For full coverage, blogs and TV from Davos go to http://www.reuters.com/davos) (Reporting by Jonathan Lynn; editing by Mike Peacock)