Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 27 / Trend M. Aliyev /
Azerbaijan's entry into the WTO is important to diversify the economy and expand delivering of products to the European market, Roland Kobia, the head of the EU representation in Azerbaijan, said.
"But Azerbaijan's entry into the WTO is not an end in itself. It is more important to deliver Azerbaijani goods to the EU market and diversify the economy,"Kobia told media.
He said that Azerbaijan's entry to the WTO will contribute significantly to the development of the country's economy, increasing its GDP. Kobia cited the example of Saudi Arabia. Its GDP increased after joining the WTO.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev told media that Azerbaijan is holding bilateral negotiations within the WTO with 10 countries including U.S, Switzerland, Norway, Japan and EU countries.
"It is important to know Azerbaijan's status of [a developing or developed country] while joining the WTO. We have not come to an agreement yet," Mammadguliyev, who is the head of the negotiating group on accession to the WTO, said.
A working group on Azerbaijan under the WTO secretariat was established on July 16, 1997. Azerbaijan has been represented at the World Trade Organization as an observer since 1997.