The third ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) started in Seattle, the US on November 30 after a few hours of delay caused by protesters who block every intersection to the venue of the meeting.

An opening ceremony was canceled and the meeting went directly into a plenary negotiating session. Director-General Mike Moore of WTO officially announced the opening of the meeting at the session.

Prior to the opening of the meeting, Moore told a briefing that he is confident the meeting will be a success despite the demonstrations.

"The negotiating groups are in full swing. This conference will be a success," Moore said.

Protesters took over at least five city intersections near the Paramount Theatre where the meeting is taking place and block every delegate to enter the theater.

Ministers from 135 WTO members are expected to focus on the agenda of next round of global trade talks, the Millennium Round. The new round will be launched at the end of the meeting if they agree on the agenda.

After months of intense negotiations, trade representatives failed to reach agreement on the agenda of the new round. (Xinhua)