The identification of a European strategy for appointing the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was one of the key issues at the informal meeting of European trade ministers on Tuesday 9 June.
While the states agree on what the "portrait-robot" of Brazilian replacement Roberto Azevêdo should be from 1 September 2020, the ministers have not yet determined whether they would support a European candidacy.
"The process has only just begun", noted French Secretary of State Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne at a telephone briefing.
"We do not want to close the door to candidates from like-minded countries", said Dutch Trade Minister Sigrid Kaag. "The Europeans have a leading role (at the WTO) in any case", Mr Lemoyne added.
The search for a consensus among the 164 members is not easy. The EU would therefore first and foremost like to assess whether other candidates might emerge who could carry out a "proactive" reform of the organisation. An ideal profile is indeed confirmed: the EU will support a candidate with a real political stature and a proven track record in identifying compromises (see EUROPE 12497/16).
Consultations between Member States will therefore continue in the coming weeks and until 8 July. Following a procedure which must be transparent, the EU27 will determine whether it is appropriate to push their own candidate (see EUROPE 12501/23).
Phil Hogan confirms his interest
This could be embodied by the current Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan. The latter confirmed to the press at the end of the meeting that he was "exploring the option of being a candidate for the director general of the WTO". The Irishman believes that there is "potential" for an EU candidate to be put forward.
"I propose that you support the Presidency (Croatian Council Presidency, editor’s note) carrying out further consultations to be able to designate, in the coming weeks, an EU candidate", the Commissioner urged during the meeting.
To date, two applications have been officially submitted to the WTO: that of Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and that of Mexican Jesús Seade Kuri.
Essential medical products
Member States also supported the Commission's proposal to initiate plurilateral negotiations at the WTO to abolish duties on certain medical products essential to combat the health crisis (see EUROPE 12500/8).
Finally, discussions returned to some European priorities at the WTO in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EU is particularly committed to transparency, calling for notification of measures with an impact on international trade taken in response to the health crisis.
Other key topics include the continuation of negotiations on electronic commerce, fisheries subsidies and the cross-cutting issue of trade sustainability. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)