"We firmly believe that all participants have the responsibility to ensure a successful outcome of the Doha Development Round," the finance ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States said in a statement issued at the end of a two-day meeting here.

World Trade Organisations negotiations aimed at reducing barriers to global commerce have gone nowhere for the past six years, with differences, notably on trade in agricultural products, blocking progress in the Doha Development Round, launched with great fanfare in the Qatari capital in 2001.

"It is necessary to achieve an ambitious balanced and comprehensive deal that delivers economic benefits for all members, enhances global growth and contributes to poverty reduction," the communique said.

The G8 "remains committed to resisting protectionist sentiment," the statement continued.

"We should strive to reach an agreement on the core modalities as soon as possible, which will require political will and additional efforts by all parties."