BY VICTORIA ONU, ABUJA
THE European Union has officially endorsed Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in the final stage of the top position, for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
The EU disclosed its favour of Okonjo-Iweala over South Korea’s Yoo Myung-Hee, in a resolution passed by the European Parliament.
The body had on October 19, organised an exchange of views for the two standing candidates, where both candidates discussed plans for the WTO.
The EU said, “During the discussions, we appreciated in particular the vision that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented for tackling the substantial challenges the organisation is facing.
“Her assessment of the existing problems of the organisation revealed a deep understanding of the fault lines dividing the WTO’s membership.
“The points she set out for her first steps after being appointed to the position reveal a clear-eyed agenda, tackling head-on key topics such as special and differential treatment, industrial subsidies and dispute settlement reform while recognising the need for positive momentum through the conclusion of agreements on issues such as fisheries, e-commerce, and health.”
The EU described the planned reforms to be implemented by Okonjo-Iweala as “a key source for the legitimacy and accountability that is needed now more than ever to increase acceptance of international trade among the world’s population.”
Also the EU said her plan on the empowerment of women aligned with its global priorities.
It added, “We also appreciated the energy with which she is likely to approach her new role. It appears to us that her personal approach is what is needed now to resolve the key questions at the organisation.
“Dr Okonjo-Iweala appears to be well-equiped for being the fair broker who could bring key players together and help them find the compromises that will be needed to resolve the WTO‘s complex set of challenges and the deep disagreements between its members.
“We therefore have very much hope that the EU will be able to support Dr Okonjo-Iweala‘s candidacy during the last round.”
Okonjo-Iweala, had said she was the best candidate to end the United States-China trade war when she gets the position of the DG of the WTO.
