Brussels - Attending a session of the EU's Trade Policy Council, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek discussed the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) with his EU counterparts in Brussels on Thursday. Počivalšek said that Slovenia was ready to cooperate to affirm the importance of the WTO during its EU presidency.

The ministers welcomed a new approach by the US regarding transatlantic trade relations and further steps in building a positive trade agenda. What was also on the agenda of the meeting were preparations for the WTO's 12th ministerial conference, the ministry said in a press release.

Počivalšek highlighted efforts to strive for a successful outcome at the June ministerial and the conference in November. He also said an open, fair and rule-based international trade was necessary.

Discussing the WTO reform and the conference, the ministers endorsed the leading role of the EU in this process as well as cooperation with new WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other allies. During a working lunch dedicated to exchanging views with Okonjo-Iweala, Počivalšek said that Slovenia supported her efforts and was prepared to cooperate closely to affirm the relevance of the WTO and promote the view that trade benefits all in the second half of 2021 when the country will hold the EU presidency.

The council also exchanged views with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Počivalšek called for her cooperation in the bilateral agenda to successfully tackle current trade disputes and discuss multilateral agenda, particularly within the framework of the WTO.