| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Negotiation Excess
// The U.S. and Georgia stopped Russia on its way to WTO
Russia’s ascension to WTO can be delayed for undetermined period. Yesterday, Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab did not reach agreement on the conditions for Russia’s entry to WTO. New round of talks will be held today in St. Petersburg. However, the talks are considered as failed, by the results of yesterday evening. Moreover, Georgian government announced yesterday that it is ready to continue the talks with Russia, which means Russia will have to agree with Georgia on WTO anew.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref and Trade Representative Susan Schwab finished another round of talks on US approval of Russia’s ascension to WTO and departed to St. Petersburg yesterday.
However, the U.S. is not the last obstacle on Russia’s way now. Georgia declared yesterday its intention to resume talks with Russia, which basically means starting the entire negotiation process anew. Tbilisi and Moscow have reciprocal accusations of not meeting some obligations of WTO charter.
In the history of WTO (since 1995) no country ever recalled its already given signature of consent. Georgia is the first state to do so. Without Georgia’s official agreement, there is no way for Russia to join WTO.
Moreover, the outcome of talks with the U.S. is uncertain yet. Anyway, the situation with Russia’s entry is much worse than it was just 3 days ago.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 15, 2006
|
|
|
