After a long and complex process, which lasted more than 15 years, the Working Group on the accession of Comoros to the WTO, chaired by the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco in Geneva, Omar Zniber, held its 10th and last meeting, during which the final report was adopted, marking the last stage of this process and the accession of the Comoros to the Organization which will be formally ratified during the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, scheduled from 26 to February 29, in Abu Dhabi.
The accession of the Comoros as a new member to the WTO, acquired thanks to Morocco, is the first to take place in eight years, knowing that currently, more than twenty countries have submitted their requests of accession within this multilateral Organization, accessions which require the adoption of significant reforms at the administrative, legislative, economic and commercial levels, with a view to adapting national standards to the standards and prerequisites of the WTO.
“The successful accession of this brother country, which comes following commitments to difficult bilateral negotiations with major economic partners, such as the United States, the European Union and India, is of relevant significance, reflecting the importance of the integration of LDCs into the multilateral trading system and the usefulness of promoting international trade relations based on transparency, equity and inclusiveness,” indicates a press release from the Permanent Mission of Morocco.
“The involvement of our country and its unwavering commitment in this process is the expression and a mark of support for this brother country, which is counting, on the one hand, on such accession to strengthen the opening of its economy and “use it as an instrument to accelerate current and future reforms, modernize and develop its economic fabric, and on the other hand as a pillar to support the plan + Emerging Comoros by 2030 +”, adds the same source.
The culmination of this process is a new diplomatic success which once again illustrates Morocco’s leadership and its contribution within international organizations, host country of the signing of the Marrakech Agreements 30 years ago (GATT), and which continues its tireless efforts to focus the work of the WTO in favor of developing countries and LDCs, particularly Africa.
This meeting, held in the presence of the Director General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Comorian Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, Kamaldini Souef, was marked by a large participation of members of the WTO and senior Comorian officials.
On this occasion, Mr. Zniber did not fail to congratulate the Comoros for this deserved accession, the fruit of tireless efforts made under the leadership of the President of the Republic Azali Assoumani and the effective support of the institutions and departments concerned by the file. ‘accession.
For her part, Ms. Okonjo-Iweala stressed the importance of such membership in strengthening the WTO and its credibility, particularly vis-à-vis LDCs, Africa and the development agenda. organisation.
This article is originally published on lareleve.ma
