Alexander Shlapak, first deputy head of Ukraine's President Secretariat
Photo: Nikolai Lazarenko
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Ukraine Outpaces Russia
Ukrainian government gave yesterday the go-ahead to a few documents enabling the country to file application to the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the General Assembly slated for December 19, 2007. Although the report of the working group hasn’t been approved yet, the analysts expect Ukraine to join the WTO ahead of Russia. Should it happen, Kiev would be able to enforce negotiations on Moscow, pressurizing it to open the market for Ukrainian metal and food.
WTO will officially invite Ukraine to become its member December 19, Alexander Shlapak, first deputy head of Ukraine's President’s Secretariat, made clear during the sitting of the cabinet. First Vice Premier, Finance Minister Nikolay Azarov was more cautious about the exact day, specifying, however, that they count on completing the talks in December of 2007.
“Ukraine has completed all bilateral negotiations for joining the WTO. It signed protocols with Vietnam and the issue has been settled with Kirgizia as well,” Azarov said.
To admit Ukraine to WTO, the working group is to approve the report at its sitting, which date hasn’t been fixed yet. Azarov said the working group could meet in early December, while Vitaly Lukiyanenko, who is the adviser to the first vice premier, gave December 20 through 23.
Regardless, the analysts share the optimism of Ukrainian bureaucrats in part that Kiev will outpace Moscow en route to the WTO. Russia has no hope to be invited in the near term. For this purpose, it is first to finalize bilateral talks with a number of states, including Saudi Arabia.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 22, 2007
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