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Russian President Seeks Canada's Support on WTO, ABM
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Canada Saturday, December 16, to support Russia's plan to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its stand on preserving the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty.
"We hope very much that Canada will back Russia in its plans to enter the WTO. If this happens, all procedures and rules of conducting business in Russia will be standardized in compliance with international norms. All are interested in this," Putin said in a joint interview with the Russian RTR television station, the Canadian TV companies CBC and CTV as well as the Globe and Mail newspaper.
Following his landmark visit to Cuba, Putin is scheduled to pay a state visit to Canada from Sunday to Tuesday to enhance bilateral cooperation in economy and security.
"All potential Russian partners are interested in Russia's admission to the World Trade Organization and will benefit from it, " the president stressed.
He also expressed the hope that Russia and Canada can cooperate in helping to preserve the ABM treaty, reached between the former Soviet Union and the U.S. in 1972, and in resolving other international issues.
"I'm sure that the two countries can find points of contact on pivotal present-day issues and use them for expanding bilateral relations and for the good of all mankind," Putin said.
He stressed the proximity of the two nations' stands on preserving the ABM treaty.
He also called for a joint solution of ecological problems in the North of the globe as another important area of Russian-Canadian cooperation.
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