Brussels, 26/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Protocol on Biosafety, a binding instrument that will govern the international trade of live genetically modified organisms on the basis of the precautionary principle, was signed this week in Nairobi (Kenya) by 61 countries, the European Community and its Member States (except Luxembourg which, not being represented in Nairobi, will sign during the month of June). The result of extremely arduous negotiations between 140 governments, the so-called "Cartagena Protocol" had been concluded in January in the context of the United Nations Convention on Biosafety. During the signing ceremony, Margot Wallström, European Environment Commission, welcomed this international agreement which reconciles environmental rules with trade rules in an area where there are conflicting interests. "The signatories of the Cartagena Protocol have again sent a strong signal that the global community is serious about the safety of biotech products and able to respond to the widespread public concern in this area. (…) This is a new stage in the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention. We are now turning it into something operational. This agreement proves the strong alliance between developing countries and the EU", she declared.