EU backs Lamy for WTO146;s top post

Lamy is credited with helping keep WTO8217;s Doha round of trade liberalisation negotiations on track and driving reform of the EU8217;s hugely expensive farm subsidies regime.

Diplomats said Lamy had made it clear that he had the support from the US, whose Trade Representative Robert Zoellick developed a close working relationship with the European commissioner despite a transatlantic trade feud.

Supachai Panitchpakdi is due to stand down as WTO Director-General at the end of August, 2005.

Although Supachai has nine months to serve his three-year term, WTO is anxious to avoid the acrimony that the selection process generated last time and has given itself plenty of time to make a choice.

8212; Reuters