22 July 2003 16:12
Russian premier calls for speedy conclusion to WTO entry negotiations
[Presenter] Russian negotiators received fresh instructions for talks with World Trade Organization representatives
at the cabinet session today.
The negotiations on Russia's entry to the WTO have lasted three years. Giving up agriculture subsidies and
bringing international and domestic prices for hydrocarbons into harmony were among the conditions set for Russia. The
WTO seems to be ready to concede this part. They are speaking now about a specific date - the end of 2004 - for
concluding the negotiations.
[Kasyanov] We are entering the final stage of the negotiating process. There is every reason to believe that
agreements acceptable for us can be reached. The way we see such assumptions and estimations, and insofar as we can
evaluate and calculate them, is that a decision on accelerating the process should be made.
[Ren TV] |
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