BRUSSELS - European Heads of State and Government formally agreed Tuesday that Russia's candidacy, to support the World Trade Organisation.
On the edge of a summit between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the leaders of the 27-nation bloc there was even a ceremony Elvira Nabiullina, signed a memorandum with EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht and Russian economic development Minister, of understanding.
Russia 153 Member is the only large economy outside the body. Moscow has negotiated its accession to the WTO since 1993, but internal disagreements and lack of incentives for Russian membership have stalled his offer again and again.
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission took notice, that he had personally discussed WTO entry with Russia on 13 peaks. "Perhaps 13 is a lucky number." This really a milestone ", he said.""Our difficult bilateral issues."
The key agreement was to prohibit Russia Agreement rates on wood and comply with the WTO export Dick catalog of rules guarantee market access and protection of foreign investors.
Such optimism was heard but this time EU and Russian attempt Russian officials describe as more serious than usual.
It is to attract more foreign investment again from the financial crisis. Foreign companies have spooked by concerns about the safety of your investment in Russia, and many WTO membership would allay these fears. Attract the longing to capital has overtaken the fear of exposing domestic manufacturers for the foreign competition, analysts said. Russia's major exports are oil and gas that are covered by the WTO so that it has more to lose than to gain market access. Another important factor: the US has begun, urge WTO membership as an essential part of its foreign policy towards Russia.
To be sure, perhaps the long-running saga not over. The next summit EU Russia could very well have WTO issues on the table unresolved. Russia must cancel aid programs, just his health rules for farm imports and intellectual property protection rights better enforce. There are also still covered a EU request to taxes on passenger airplane flights over Siberia to meet. Moscow, must also remove import duties, a host that helped his imports at $155.2 billion cut in 2009 from $ 255.7 billion in 2008.
Even if all goes well it will take some time. All 153 WTO members must approve Russia entry. Georgia, which fought a war with Russia in 2008 and is not a likely obstacle, thought now expected that block Russia due to pressure from the United States that earliest it could realize join January 1, 2012, is, said EU officials.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was bullish. He said the agreement "Power Russia's accession to the WTO of a reality become."
Write toJohn W. Miller at the john.miller@dowjones.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment