European Commission welcomes appointment of Pascal Lamy as WTO Director General

The European Commission today welcomed the WTO General Council's appointment of Mr Pascal Lamy as the next Director General of the WTO.

President Barroso said:

"I am very pleased to see former EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy appointed as the next Director General of the WTO, with extensive and broad support from across the WTO's membership.

The WTO faces a decisive half-year of negotiation ahead of December's Hong Kong Ministerial. The success of the Round, creating greater opportunities for developed and developing countries alike, now demands political will and practical engagement from all parties. Pascal Lamy is, with his knowledge of trade matters, his international experience, his concern for development and his constant search for consensus, uniquely qualified to lead the WTO at this defining moment."

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