Celso Amorim quotes:

Talks have reached a critical stage and negotiators need to reach a deal on agriculture in the next two weeks if efforts to restart the Doha round by the end of the year are to succeed. Some speak of a deadlock in the talks, .. I prefer to talk of a padlock, and the key is in the hands of the EU.

It would not lessen the shock and concern, but it would be something concrete in addition to the apologies.