Brussels, 05/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - In an attempt to complete Doha round negotiations on the liberalisation of world trade at a time when the international financial maelstrom is stoking up protectionist tendencies, the Director General of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, is requesting a second mandate, once the current mandate expires on 31 August 2009. Elected on 26 May 2005, the 61 year old French man and former European Commissioner for trade, began work on the following 1 September and has made it a matter of honour to conclude a multilateral agreement, which member states of the WTO were very close to achieving during their Geneva ministerial last July (EUROPE 9714). Although the determination to pursue technical discussions is very real, the change of administration in the US and forthcoming elections in India, Japan and then in Europe are currently blocking any possibility of an agreement at a political level. In a letter dated 4 November to the Australian president, Bruce Gosper, of the WTO General Council (this brings together ambassadors from the 153 member countries), Mr Lamy states, “I am ready to continue serving the WTO for a second term of office and to helping strengthen multilateralism and development”. Lamy also affirms that, “member states should be prepared to compromise for if they are to obtain a more open and fairer system”. The election procedure for the next head of the WTO begins on 1 December and candidates intending to succeed Lamy must make their candidacies known before 31 December. Members of the WTO General Council will take a decision before the end of May 2009. The abilities of the former Commissioner were acknowledged by all the delegations at the WTO and his second term at the head of the organisation is not expected to pose a problem. Mr Lamy's candidacy has already received support from two powerful figures, the Brazilian foreign affairs minister, Celso Amorim, expected to succeed him, and Catherine Ashton. The latter stated, “I strongly welcome the announcement by Pascal Lamy that he will be seeking a second term of office as Director General of the WTO. Over the past three years, Pascal Lamy has worked tirelessly and with great effectiveness to boost the role of the WTO and to push for a conclusion of the world trade talks. His professionalism, dedication and integrity make him a clear choice to pursue this role when his term expires next year. His contribution will be all the more important in the current economic climate, which requires a strong WTO. A renewal of his mandate for a second tem would have very broad support in Europe”. (E.H./trans/rh)