GENEVA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Cape Verde will formally join the World Trade Organization (WTO) on July 23, bringing the total number of WTO members to 153, the Geneva-based body said on Monday.

    The western African island country submitted to the WTO its acceptance of its membership agreement on Monday, WTO said in a statement.

    According to related rules, the country will become a full member of the WTO on July 23, exactly one month after its submission of membership ratification documents.

    The WTO's General Council approved Cape Verde's accession documents in December, eight years after the country started its WTO membership bid.