In spite of the pessimistic opinions created by the stalled Doha Round negotiations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) remains the beacon of stability for international trade and new members join every year.
On April 29, the WTO welcomed Montenegro as its 154th member. Montenegro applied for WTO membership on December 10, 2004. On March 30, 2012, the country informed the WTO it had accepted its membership package. This is the final step in the accession process.
The WTO will also welcome Samoa, as its 155th member, on May 10. Samoa applied for WTO membership on 15 April 1998. On 10 April 2012, Samoa informed the WTO it had accepted its membership package.
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said: "The accession chapter is now closed. The membership path is now fully open. I look forward to working with Montenegro and Samoa to help them become full and active members of the global trading system."
Under WTO rules, a country becomes a member 30 days after national ratification.
No comments:
Post a Comment