The Hindu Business Line : WTO members must catalyse process of negotiations: Lamy

THE new Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr Pascal Lamy, a celebrated trade envoy and former Trade Commissioner of the European Union (EU), today optimistically said that members of the WTO could catalyse the process of negotiations for successful completion of the Doha Round.

Mr Lamy, who took over the reins of the WTO chief from Thailand's Mr Supachai Panitchpakdi, in Geneva on Thursday, made a statement in which he clarified that he would not say much on the substance of his priorities today. "It's my day back to school. On the first of September, like many people in this country, we are starting our work, knowing there is a lot of work ahead of us.

"Following both what happened and what did not happen last July when the General Council met and a few ministers were here." Mr Lamy quipped.

Stating that he was aware that there is a lot of work to do, Mr Lamy noted thus: "I will be starting this right now, in starting internal and external consultations. Internally, of course, with all the members of the Secretariat, who have received an email from me this morning, and with the chairs of the various negotiating groups, of course? With the ambassadors, the regional groupings and so on. And I will be back to you in a fortnight from now with more precise views on the substance and the way ahead to Hong Kong — which obviously is and remains the number one priority for my team, the Secretariat and myself.

Last thing: as we all know, and I think I have to remember this everyday, including when reading today's press, the WTO Director-General has no magic wand. Things don't work this way in the WTO. Members have the decision-making power. We can catalyse, we can broker. Sometimes, sometimes we can lead, but at the end of the day they take the decision, and that's why I have to start this series of contacts".

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