09 June 2004 08:01
Duma discusses WTO membership prospects
MOSCOW. June 9 (Interfax) - The State Duma international affairs committee and economic policy and enterprise
committee discussed the prospects for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization on Wednesday.
The documents drawn up for the joint meeting of the two committees
say that a decision on setting up a government commission on WTO
Officials from the Foreign Ministry, Economic Development and Trade Ministry, and other agencies also took part in
the meeting.
membership led by Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov was made in April. "The primary function of this commission
should be to coordinate the accession process and work out Russia's negotiating position. One of the key elements
of this work is harmonizing Russian law with WTO standards," the documents say.
"As a result of the intensification of the negotiating process in 2003-2004, the Russian delegation has entered
the final phase of the accession, during which the most difficult and problematic issues have to be resolved," says
an Economic Development and Trade Ministry memo drafted for the meeting.
"Russia is not prepared to follow any requirements just to join the WTO," it says.
"The potential obligations on all parameters, such as tariffs, commitments in the agricultural sector, access to
the service market, or systemic issues, will be based on the real situation in Russia's economy and prospects for
its development and will ensure the basic protection of national producers, keeping an appropriate environment for
competition," the memo says. [RU EUROPE ASIA EEU EMRG ECI TRD LAW] va aw
[Interfax] |
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