Tehran, Dec 15, IRNA -- `Iran News' on Sunday praised the recent Iran-EU bilateral talks and the mutual agreement of both sides to sign an accord to expand trade, economic and parliamentary ties, in Brussels, Belgium on December 12 as an "apparent success".

If this agreement is realized between both sides "it would be a huge success for the Islamic Republic," noted the English-language daily.

"The accord would be a resound diplomatic, political and economic achievement for Tehran since it would be the first of its kind between the EU and a non-European and a non-WTO member," underlined the article, noting that the EU would give Iran "lower tariffs", if the deal goes through.

But signing the agreement does not change the fact that Iran must not waver in its determination to gain WTO membership.

Iran is still in a "dubious and embarrassing position" of being among the only 12 nations, who are not WTO members, reminded the daily while pointing out the 147 nations who have gained entry to the world trade body.

Although economists say that WTO membership is a social, economic and political shock to a system and only countries which have a stable political, social and economic structures can withstand the shock of the WTO entry, the paper underlined WTO membership is both "unavoidable" and the only "viable choice" for Iran.

"The negative repercussions of not joining far outweighs the consequences of joining the world trade body," it pointed out.

"Regional competitors and rivals have used the advantages of WTO membership such as preferable tariffs to not only pass us by economically but also to exclude Iran from the global market," added the article.

"Our non-oil exports, which are crucial if Iran is to experience sustained economic development will not dramatically improve or increase unless and until we join the WTO," it stressed.

It rests with the government to sincerely step up efforts and do all it can to accelerate the WTO membership process.

To this end, a WTO coordination committee should be formed to coordinate the efforts of the various economic sectors as well as the policy making arms within the country," suggested the article.

Officials should further work toward reducing the negative impacts and shock of eventual WTO membership, advised the daily.

WTO membership is essential for the future vitality of the Iranian economy and attaining it requires an all-out national effort by all concerned parties both in the public and private sectors, it concluded.