Eu Commissioner Does Not Rule Out Russia's Possible Entry Into Wto In Mid-2003

EC Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy does not rule out that Russia may enter the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the middle of 2003. He expressed this opinion at the Wednesday conference in Moscow. According to the EU Commissioner, the entry may happen in the course of a regular ministerial conference of WTO member- states scheduled for the middle of 2003. Lamy also noted that the European Union will do its best to accelerate Russia's joining the WTO. According to him, there are no obstacles on the way of Russia's entry into the WTO, but there are subjects for negotiations. Lamy also reported that the EU may be flexible while discussing the recognition of the market status of the Russian economy. The European Union has prepared proposals concerning this issue, which will be discussed in the course of the talks with Russian government leaders scheduled for today.