Yemen signs European Commission deal to joint WTO

BRUSSELS, May 28 (Saba)- The Republic of Yemen and the European
Commission signed on Thursday in the Belgian capital, Brussels, a
bilateral deal for Yemen to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This signing of the deal comes following continuous dialogues which
lasted for four years in sequence.

The deal was signed by head of Communication and Coordination Office
with WTO Hamoud al-Najaar, for the Yemeni side, and Palau Jarouzuni
head of the negotiation team, for the European side.

For his part, Minister of Industry and Trade Yahya al-Mutawakil
described the signing of the deal as "an important step" within
Yemen's efforts to joint the WTO, noting that Yemen has achieved an
important economic progress to join WTO with the support of the
European Union in full manner.

He praised the role played by the European Union in supporting Yemen
development march through conducting several projects, pointing out
that this deal comes few days following the Czech EU presidency
statement in which they affirmed the EU support for the stability
and unity of the Republic of Yemen.

He made clear that this step reflects appreciation of the European
Union for efforts exerted by Yemen within the political and economic
reforms as well as the distinguished successes achieved in this
respect.

Following the singing of the deal, a meeting was held by Yemen
ambassador to the European Union and Belgium Abdul-Wahab al-Shawkani
and official of GCC Relations at the Directorate General of the
European Commission.

The meeting reviewed the European assistance to Yemen to finalize
joining requirements o the WTO as well as political, economic and
developmental fields.

It is worth to mention that Yemen started the first steps to join
the WTO in 1998 and was granted a supervisor title in April 1999.