The EU today finalised the ratification process of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement – the first major multilateral deal in years, expected to significantly simplify and modernise customs procedures around the world.
The WTO Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo received today from Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Trade, and Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg - currently holding the EU Presidency - the document confirming the EU's binding commitment to the deal agreed by the WTO Members.
The ceremony today followed the approval of the agreement by the European Parliament and the EU Member States respectively on 9 September and 1 October 2015. It took place in connection with the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting in Istanbul.
This has been excerpted from the 5 October 2015 edition of EIN News and is available in its entirety at:
http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/289908913/the-eu-ratifies-wto-trade-facilitation-agreement