20/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - As expected, on Tuesday 20 March, the WTO agreed to Ecuador's request to set up a panel to settle the country's dispute with the EU over banana imports (see Europe 9383). Ecuador, backed by Colombia, Panama and Nicaragua (which are third parties in the case) are challenging the legality of the EU's new banana import scheme, introduced in 2006. The WTO has 90 days to appoint the members of the panel and the verdict is expected towards the end of the year. (lc)