Van Thinh Paul Trân (FR nationality) joined the European Commission as Principal Administrator in charge of trade policy with developing countries in March 1961, a position he held until 1972, when he became Head of the Specialised Unit “Commodities from the developing countries – international agreements – UNCTAD affairs “ in the DG for External Relations. From 1973 to 1977, he was Head of Division “General and multilateral affairs - Generalised Tariff Preferences” in the DG for External Relations. Between 1977 and 1979, he was European Community Special Representative for Textiles Negotiations in charge of negotiating the second GATT Multifibre Arrangement and 32 bilateral agreements on textiles in 1977 (in charge of management of all textiles and clothing agreements). From 1979 to 1994, he was Head of the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission to the International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Permanent Representative to UN and to GATT, and Geneva negotiator of the GATT Uruguay Round on behalf of the European Union and its 12 Member States.