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Putin Emphasizes Equal Treatment in WTO Negotiations
Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 30 reiterated that his country must receive equal treatment in the talks for entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"Russia is not counting on any privilege, but also not hoping any extra rules or requirements," said the president when holding talks with the WTO Director-General Michael Moore in the Kremlin.
Support from WTO is very important in further integrating Russia's economy into the world, Putin stressed. Russia is making steady efforts to ensure the transparency of its economy and to gradually bring it in line with international standards, he added.
Putin hoped the WTO leadership would facilitate Russia's admission to the global trade club.
For his part, Moore said the WTO would not become a complete global organization until Russia joins it.
Russian Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said Putin and Moore had outlined a compromise formula, which will enable Russia to eliminate some of "the sore points in its economy " as precondition for the WTO admission.
Russia has been negotiating to join the WTO since 1995, and has stepped up this effort recently.
Gref on Friday told a press conference that his country expected to conclude its WTO admission talks by the beginning of next year.
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