Roadblocks on Russia Path to WTO

Yevgeny Volk / June 09, 2009

MOSCOW – In conjunction with the St Petersburg Economic International Forum, speculations over Russia’s accession to WTO have picked up steam. On the sidelines of the Forum, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina said Moscow stands a good chance of joining WTO by year end. The negotiations with the European Union seemed to help settle some problems over export tariffs imposed by Russia on raw timber and technical barriers to foreign trade. United States Trade Representative Ronald Kirk, following his talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Nabiullina, announced America would not impede Russia’s bid to join the WTO.

Are things really looking up? Everything is not that simple. The Russian government is (more…)