Pascal Lamy, the former European Union commissioner, has won the race that opponent Carlos Perez del Castillo dropped out of for the head position at the World Trade Organization (WT0).
Castillo who used to be chairman of the WTO’s governing council, is Uruguay’s senior trade negotiator. “I have already requested to withdraw my candidacy,” he said. “I have tried to reach Mr. Lamy to congratulate him. We have a difficult task ahead, and right now above all it important to concentrate on finishing this round.”
Castillo was advised by a special selection panel to withdraw his candidacy based on word that Lamy has recieved more support from WTO members. The WTO will not release a formal decision on who won until May 26, but the European Commission has confirmed that Lamy got the job. According to AP,
Lamy’s first major task as WTO chief will be to get an agreement from countries on a new round of global trade talks at a conference in Hong Kong in December, leading to a final treaty in 2006 or early 2007.
The “Doha Round” of treaty talks – named after the Qatari capital where it was launched in 2001 – aims to slash subsidies, tariffs and other barriers to global commerce, including rules restricting access for foreign service providers.
Lamy was the European Union’s trade chief until last year, while Perez del Castillo is Uruguay’s former ambassador to the WTO and a former chairman of the trade body’s ruling general council.
It looks like Lamy will take the place of Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand, who steps down at the end of August. Lamy was the EU’s trade chief until last year. Castillo is Uruguay’s former ambassador to the WTO.
Chris is a staff writer for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest ebusiness news.
