Brussels, 07/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - Doctor Gro Harlem Bruntdland, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WTO) met with Commissioners in Brussels on Thursday to discuss co-operation between the WHO and the European Commission. Discussions with David Byrne, Commissioner for health matters, focused on the fight against smoking and the convention framework currently being negotiated with the WHO with the support of the EU, transmissible diseases, nutrition and food safety. The meeting with Commissioner Pascal Lamy, Trade Commissioner, allowed the two organisations to reaffirm the desire of their two organisations to find solutions that would improve access to medicines in developing countries, notably through WTO negotiations on compulsory patents. In discussions with Mr Busquin, Commissioner for Community research, Ms Brundtland mentioned co-operation in research and the draft programme for clinical trials in the EU and developing countries. Together with Poul Nielson, responsible for co-operation and development, Ms Brundtland examined the strategic partnership aimed at reducing infant mortality, improving health for mothers, developing access for essential drugs and stemming the spread of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis up to 2015.