Leaders of the eight industrialized nations reaffirmed on Saturday their commitment to free and open markets as well as to the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda in favor of sustaining recovery from the global economic crisis.

They made the remarks in a declaration, Recovery and New Beginnings, issued on Saturday when the two-day G8 summit concluded at Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

The G-8 leaders said that they will continue to resist protectionist pressures, and to promote liberalization of trade and investment under the World Trade Organization (WTO), through the national reduction of barriers, as well as through bilateral and regional negotiations.

"We direct our representatives to engage in the spirit of give and take through all negotiating avenues with the goal of achieving the increased level of ambition necessary to facilitate an agreement, recognizing the changes in the global economy since the launch of the Agenda," they concluded.

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