Russia-WTO negotiations reach successful conclusion in Petersburg

Russian Minister for Trade and Economic Development German Gref and EU Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy announced at a press conference in St. Petersburg today that significant progress had been made during their talks on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation.

German Gref said that at least half the problems had been resolved during his meeting with Pascal Lamy.

Mr Lamy himself agreed with this. According to him, minor differences in positions remain, in particular in regard to access for European goods to the Russian market, the agricultural sphere, the energy sector, price-setting and telecommunications.

Pascal Lamy stressed that Russia's accession to the WTO was a priority issue in EU policy and, upon his return to Brussels, he would be able to talk about positive progress in the negotiating process.