Qatar has will host a top meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, which could open a new chapter in global trade.
The Qatari new agency reported that the decision was taken unanimously at an unofficial meeting of the WTO's ruling General Council in Geneva on Tuesday.
The agency quoted Qatari representative to the organization, Fahad Oweida Al Thani, as welcoming the decision and pledging the provision of all facilities for the participants.
According to Reuters, the decision was hailed by the EU and the US, and members commended Qatar’s courage to host the meeting after the failure of the December 1999 Seattle conference, which was marred by angry protests and riots by anti-globalization activists.
The agency added that delegations to the currently 140-member body provisionally agreed the meeting, the WTO's fourth ministerial since it absorbed the old Gatt in 1995, would be held on November 5-9 -- Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
