Ethiopia Could Become WTO Member by 2014

Ethiopia could possibly become a member of the World Trade Organization by 2014 depending on the outcome from discussion currently underway it was said.

The announcement was made during the visit to country made by Pascal Lamy, outgoing Director of the WTO. The Director General held talks with Dr. Tewdros, Adhanom, Ethiopian Foreign Minister in regards to the WTO accession process according to Nebiyu Tedla, from the office of the ministry spokesperson.

Ethiopia has been working to fulfill the requirements for membership for almost ten years and is currently in stage 4 of the process it was noted. The visit from the General Director was intended to speed up the negotiation process and to offer technical support from the WTO Secretariat said Nebiyu.

Lamy also met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in regards to economic integration in the region, and Ethiopia’s role in the upcoming G-20 meeting taking place in Russia this year he added.

Ethiopian membership in the World Trade Organization will depend on all current members signing and ratifying their agreement.

WTO is designed to facilitate and regulate trade between member countries providing a framework for international trade agreements and dispute management according to its conventions. The organization oversees diverse agreements which are binging legally in all member countries.

Source: Capital