WTO agrees entry talks with Iran
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-26 18:15

GENEVA - Members of the World Trade Organization agreed Thursday to allow Iran to open negotiations to join the body that governs international commerce, trade officials said.

The United States, which previously had blocked Iran's long-held desire to join the WTO, raised no objections, the officials said. The WTO takes such decisions by consensus.

"This is an historical decision," said Ujal Singh Bhatia, India's ambassador to the WTO. "The principle of universality has been strengthened. We look forward to working with Iran for its accession."

WTO membership is one of the rewards European Union negotiations have been offering Iran if it agrees to curb its nuclear program to ensure that it produces only electricity and not weapons. The United States said in March it would drop its veto on a start to Iran's accession negotiations.

U.S. officials in Geneva declined to comment on the decision made by the WTO's governing General Council.

The council immediately created a working group for Iran's accession, officials said.

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