Iran is fully prepared both economically and scientifically to join the World Trade Organization, said director of the education and information department at Iran's representative trade office Moussa Mousavi Zenuz on Saturday.
According to Mousavi Zenuz, Iran is now economically superior to certain WTO members as the organization's experts have acknowledged. He said political problems are the main impediments to Iran's accession to the organization.
According to IRNA, he added that the US has turned down Iran's request for entry to the WTO 17 times, blocking the approval of Iran's bid at the organization.
The official conveyed that a number of developing countries as well as representative of European Union and non-official representative of the developing states to the organization have supported Iran's call.
He said that in absence of the US protest, Iran will start the accession talks with the WTO. He added that the talks will take seven to eight years. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
