Brussels, 30/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 30 April, the General Council of the WTO, made up of the ambassadors of each of the 153 member countries, unanimously agreed the re-appointment of current Director General Pascal Lamy for a second four-year term of office at the head of the multilateral organisation that governs world trade. His appointment will be from 1 September 2009. “This decision … is extremely good news for the multilateral system as a whole, as Pascal Lamy has been a tireless advocate of the benefits of open and rules-based trade. It is good news for the Doha round of world trade talks, as it reflects the confidence of WTO members in the current process and Pascal Lamy's leadership,” said Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton. “This is good news in the fight against the economic downturn. It is good news especially for developing countries,” she added. (E.H./transl.rt)