Russia-Georgia WTO Talks Break Down
Russian and Georgian negotiators on Thursday failed to make a breakthrough in talks over Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. Tbilisi is concerned about Russian customs posts in breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, an issue that Moscow decline to discuss. A new round of talks is likely to be held next month.
Moscow and Tbilisi signed a WTO deal in early 2004, but Georgia withdrew its signature earlier this year.
Georgian Economic Development Minister Georgy Arveladze said before the talks that “Tbilisi is waiving all other demands,” except for the issue of customs regimes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia wants Russia to allow its customs officials to supervise work at customs post in the two republics.
Russia declined to discuss the matter on Thursday, disrupting the talks. The issue is not something that “can be regulated by WTO agreements,” according to Russian chief trade negotiator Maxim Medvedkov. Georgia, however, argues that WTO membership implies mutual recognition of economic borders.
Earlier this week, Georgian opposition leaders said that a concession on the customs posts issue would betray national interests.
Moscow has already secured written or early agreements with all WTO members, except for Tbilisi.
Russian and Georgian negotiators agreed on Thursday to meet for a second round of talks which is likely to be held in Moscow in July.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 01, 2007
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