Russia and EU cam complete talks concerning the agreement on the Russian Federation's joining World Trade Organization by late 2009, minister for economic development Elvira Nabiullina told media outlets at Saint-Petersburg economic forum, RIA Novosti reported.
European commissioner on trade Katrin Ashton said that Russia can join WTO by late 2009.
"There is such a feeling that we are on the point of reaching agreement with EU. We hope that we will complete major talks by late 2009," Nabiullina said as a result of talks with Ashton.
"We created plan-schedule and must keep within this term," minister said.
Several issues have not been solved yet, she said. "Export duties for forest we left for the last stage," Nabiullina said.
Conclusion concerning several important issues was found at talks with Ashton. But talks will continue, especially, working group on Russia's joining WTO will hold next round of talks on June 15-16. But Nabiullina and Ashton will meet on June 24-25. "Today talks were positive," Nabiullina said. She also stressed that talks with U.S trade representative will be held on June 5.
Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Yakovenko hoped for completion of talks concerning agreement on Russia's joining WTO on June 5. "I hope that we will manage to complete this process by late 2009," he said addressing at business-dialogue Russia-U.S Economic cooperation as basis of restart in relations between Russia and the USA within XIII Saint-Petersburg international economic forum in north capital.
"As a matter of fact our joining the international organization will be admission of Russia's integrity in world economy. It is pleasant that U.S businessmen stand for Russia's joining WTO, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and other international economic institutes and recommend U.S administration to continue this policy working over removing existing barriers," he stressed.
World leaders are expected to discuss urgent issues of Russia and the world community during Saint-Petersburg economic forum held on June 4-6.
Russia has been negotiating on joining WTO more than 15 years. WTO regulates world trade. Presently, Moscow completed all bilateral talks with 60 partners-countries but did not coordinated several principal positions, including agriculture, rate of export duties for timber and regulation of activity of several state companies. Term of Russia's joining WTO was postponed within several years.
Traditional participants of the meeting include presidents, heads of governments, parliaments and ministers of several countries, as well as elite of international business, editor-in-chiefs of the biggest world media and other newsmakers. RIA Novosti is general informational partner of the forum.