02/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The bilateral agreement on market access to goods and services concluded on 28 May between the EU and Yemen constitutes an important step towards Yemen's accession to the WTO, negotiations for which began in 2005 after Sanaa submitted its candidacy in 2000. The agreement was welcomed by the commissioner for trade, Catherine Ashton, who highlighted the EU's commitment to facilitate the accession of least developed countries. (E.H./transl.rh)