Russian Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev
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Russia to Complete WTO Talks by July
Russia expects to complete core negotiations on WTO’s entry in the first half of this year, Economic Development Minister German Gref said during the 2nd International Congress headlined “Russia in WTO: Hope and Strategic Chances.”
The talks are at an active stage now. One of concerns is adjusting Russia’s laws to the WTO requirements, Gref pointed out. As an example, the minister mentioned a bill on engineering control, which had been returned to the State Duma for repeated consideration because of remarks of the international experts. “On Friday [April 6], the State Duma passed amendments agreed on with the international experts and now we have a bill that corresponds to the WTO laws in whole,” Gref said.
Russia’s negotiations with the European Union are “at advanced stage.” “There are a few key topics left, but I hope we will be able to find the way out in the nearest month,” the minister specified.
Bilateral negotiations with Cambodia and Vietnam will probably complete in April or May, Gref forecasted. As to Georgia, the parties are trying to come to some compromise that will satisfy both parties.
In addition to above three countries, Russia is yet to come to terms with Guatemala.
Under the WTO rules, only the country, which admission isn’t challenged by any member state, may join the WTO. Russia has completed negotiations with 58 countries already, while China, for instance, had to agree with no more than 50 states.
www.kommersant.com
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