Canadian Ambassador Sergio Marchi has been appointed chairperson of the working party on Ukraine’s accession. He replaces Andrew Stoler who has become deputy director-general of the WTO. The Ukraine Working Party has met six times, and is expected to meet again in June.

"Ukraine’s membership will be important for the WTO," Ambassador Marchi said after the General Council confirmed his appointment on 8 May 2000. "I expect further progress will be made in the coming months."