Russia and the United States have agreed on terms for Russia's
accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Economic
Development and Trade Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The Russian and US government delegations have agreed on
fundamental terms of a bilateral agreement on access to the goods
market in talks on Russia's accession to the WTO, the Itar-Tass
news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
The delegations are holding consultations to sign a bilateral
agreement on the access to markets in the second half of
November.
Russia has conducted 13 years of tortuous negotiations with
Washington over its access to the WTO. The main disputes focus on
Moscow's unwillingness to grant access to US meat products and
Washington's concerns about Internet and video piracy in
Russia.
Agreement with the United States is key to the 149-member WTO
acceptance of Russia, which, however, still needs endorsement from
Georgia and Moldova, and the US Congress should lift current
restrictions from Russia to make the new trade regime work.
Official: US hopes to sign Russia WTO deal next week in
Hanoi
The United States and Russia have reached an agreement in
principle on Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and hope to sign the agreement next week in Hanoi, the US Trade
Representative's office said on Friday.
"We have an agreement in principle and are finalizing the
details. We are also holding consultations with the Congress and
our cleared advisers. This agreement will mark an important step in
Russia attaining membership in the WTO," said US Trade
Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement.
"It is a clear indication of Russia's efforts to participate
fully in and benefit from the rules-based global trading system. We
came close to completing our work in July, but needed more time to
conclude a strong commercial agreement that will be of benefit to
both our countries," she said.
She added both US and Russia hope to sign the agreement next
week in Hanoi on the margins of the APEC meeting.
Russia has conducted 13 years of tortuous negotiations with
Washington over its access to the WTO. The main disputes focus on
Moscow's unwillingness to grant access to US meat products and
Washington's concerns about Internet and video piracy in
Russia.
Agreement with the United States is key to the 149-member WTO
acceptance of Russia, which, however, still needs endorsement from
Georgia and Moldova.
(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2006)
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