Russian Premier on Russia joining the WTO

Russia should join the World Trade Organization as a full-fledged member, but this should not affect its economic growth rates registered in the past two years, Premier Mikhail Kasyanov said opening the Tuesday session of the Business Council under the Russian government, held to discuss the question of Russia's admission to the WTO. Kasyanov reminded council members that the integration of Russia into the world community as its full-fledged member is one of the main goals of his government. He said WTO membership was "one of the priorities in the policy documents of the government." The premier believes that while holding talks on admission to the WTO, Russia should above all coordinate the duration and parameters of the transition period during which the Russian economy would adjust and get ready for the tough competition that is normal between WTO members. The council session will hear information of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade on the progress of talks on admission to the WTO. Kasyanov believes that we should determine which specific features should be taken into consideration during admission to the WTO and which conditions the state should fulfil and what measures economic sectors must take to ensure "a timely and adequate" integration into the WTO.

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