Developing 8 urges speedy Iran WTO membership

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, May 13 (Reuters) Leaders of eight Muslim-majority nations today urged quick movement in the process of making Iran a member of the World Trade Organisation.

The endorsement came in the final declaration of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries at its fifth summit, held on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.

The group comprises Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh.

The declaration said the group recognised ''the need for universal membership of the WTO'' and called for accelerating the process for all developing countries.

''In this context, we express our full support for a speedy accession process of the Islamic Republic of Iran,'' it said.

REUTERS OM HT1625