Vladimir Putin: Russia's Entry Into WTO Will Not Hurt Relations Within Eurasian Economic Community

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia's joining the World Trade Organisation will not hurt relations within the Eurasian Economic Community /EvrAzES/. The community comprises Russia, Byelorussia and the Central Asian republic of the former USSR. At a news conference following the CIS summit, held on Friday in Moscow, the Russian leader said that he had discussed this issue "at length" at a meeting with Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev. According to Putin, agreement was reached to coordinate efforts and teamwork within EvrAzES with international economic organisations, including WTO. The Russian president said he was confident that this coordination "will be developing well".