Brussels, 23/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - After the failure of attempts at a friendly settlement in the framework of formal consultation in Geneva, the Union, as well as the Philippines and Thailand, have submitted their dispute on preferential treatment on ACP imported tuna preserves to the mediation of the Directorate General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) instead of going through the usual and legally binding procedures of resolution through arbitration. This is a first. The American, Rufus Yerxa, who has been exercising for several months the role of Vice-Director has checked whether the legitimate interest of the Philippines and Thailand have been unduly damaged by the setting up of a preferential tariff treaty that the European Community reserves for tuna preserves form African countries, the Caribbean and the Pacific. If this is indeed the case, according to Supachaï Panichpakdi, in a communication to members of the institution he leads, "the mediator could set in motion the means for rectifying the situation".