Open market the price of WTO entry

16 February 1999

Open market the price of WTO entry

DEVELOPING countries wishing to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will have to open their agricultural markets to the same degree as those of the WTOs poorest existing member.

That was the stipulation when the European Union (EU) called for membership negotiations to be completed this year for more than 30 developing countries seeking to join the WTO.

Sir Leon Brittan, EU trade commissioner, said the initiative should aim particularly to accelerate WTO entry by the very poorest applicants, by offering them simplified procedures and specially favourable terms.

• Financial Times 16/02/99 page 6