(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission is studying new negotiating drafts on agriculture and industrial goods in WTO free-trade talks, a spokesman said Tuesday.

"The commission is currently studying in detail the two texts which are both long and detailed, and we will comment as soon as possible," commission spokesman for trade issues Peter Power told journalists.

"These texts must advance the negotiation by providing for new trade flows and new opportunities for the global economy," he said.

The World Trade Organisation published Tuesday the new negotiating drafts, which WTO chief Pascal Lamy has said clarify remaining obstacles to agreement in the Doha trade round.

The WTO's Doha round of talks to reduce trade barriers was launched in the Qatari capital in November 2001 with the aim of reaching a deal by 2004.

It has foundered ever since, mainly over disputes between developed and developing countries on agricultural subsidies and industrial tariffs.

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