Putin: Russian-Kyrgyz WTO agreement - a good precedent

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the signing of the Russian-Kyrgyz agreement on WTO a good example of negotiated solution to problems.

On Thursday, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed a protocol on the conclusion of bilateral talks about Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

"It is the first protocol, and I hope it's not the last one. It is no coincidence that it was signed in Kyrgyzstan," Vladimir Putin said after appearing at the Russia-Kyrgyzstan Investment Forum.

Speaking about Russia's accession to the WTO, the Russian President pointed out, "There are quite a few problems and complications in the process, but the example of Kyrgyzstan shows us that they can be solved." In his turn, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev expressed the hope that "with the support of Kyrgyzstan, Russia might join the WTO sooner than expected." Vladimir Putin stressed that Kyrgyzstan, being a member of the WTO, actively participated in the activities of various organisations on the territory of the former Soviet republics, whose major goal is global economic integration.