Former European Union (EU) trade chief Pascal Lamy on Thursday assumed office as the fifth director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The 58-year-old French, who was chosen in May from among four candidates, will serve a four-year term.

Lamy has said the most important work for him is to conclude the new round of global trade talks on slashing farm subsidies and reducing barriers for trade in industrial products and services.

Diplomats expect Lamy to give a boost to the so-called Doha round trade talks and help guide the 148-member WTO to a detailed draft when trade ministers meet in Hong Kong in December, which is crucial to the round's expected conclusion in 2006.

The Doha round of trade talks, named after the Qatari capital where the talks were launched in 2001, has missed its initial December 2004 deadline for conclusion due to sharp differences over agriculture.

Diplomats hope Lamy's experience as trade chief of the EU can help bridge the gap and find out solutions.

Source: Xinhua