Georgian Foreign Ministry: Russia not to join WTO at expense of Georgia's interests

Russia will not join the World Trade Organization at the expense of Georgia's interests, Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said on Tuesday.

He said Georgia's position regarding Russia's accession to the WTO remains unchanged, Trend reports.

"Russia will not join the WTO either at the expense of Georgia's interests, or violating the organization's charter," he said.

According to Vashadze, talking about the restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia will be possible only after the removal of Russian forces from Georgian territories.

"I can teach Russian diplomats how to achieve this in the shortest period of time. This is possible only if they carry out de-occupation of the Georgian territories," the foreign minister said.

Talks on Russia's accession into the WTO have already been underway for 17 years, whereas the average negotiations on new countries' accession into the organization last about five years. Russian
officials have repeatedly stated that they expect the country's accession into the WTO by late 2011.