It looks like former European Union commissioner Pascal Lamy will head the World Trade Organization (WT0), now that his opponent for the position, Carlos Perez del Castillo has dropped out of the race.
Castillo is Uruguay’s senior trade negotiator and used to be chairman of the WTO’s governing council. “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 withdrew his candidacy after he was advised by a special selection panel that the WTO was leaning more towards Lamy. 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. Reuters says,
The WTO, which was deeply split last time it had to choose a new chief, is anxious to avoid another confrontation because it fears this could further delay progress in its Doha Round of free trade negotiations.
Although theoretically some states could attempt to block a consensus decision to support Lamy at the council meeting in two weeks’ time, diplomats said this was unlikely.
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.
