Putin hopes for APEC support to assist Russia's admission to WTO

Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that support of the APEC will positively influence the process of Russia's admission to the World Trade Organization.

"We are grateful to our APEC colleagues for supporting Russia's desire to join the WTO in their statement," the Russian leader said in a conversation with journalists following the APEC summit in Bangkok.

Some APEC leaders told him that but for the protocol matters they would be ready to sign bilateral agreements related to Russia's admission to the WTO right in Bangkok, Putin said.

Unfortunately, not all countries in Asia and Europe support Russia on the issue, the President stated with regret. "Yet we hope that the APEC support will have a positive influence on the progress of Russia's admission to the organization," he concluded.