Russia's WTO membership would not affect its export of energy carriers abroad, Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Andrey Slepnev told the Russian parliament, ITAR-TASS reports. The official presented a document on the priority of WTO norms over Russian obligations within the Customs Union.
Slepnev said that the WTO would require full reconsideration of custom fees and price formation.
Analysis for joining the WTO has been ongoing for 18 years. The WTO is expected to have a positive effect on the investment climate for foreign investors. State support for agriculture will increase. Concerning meat production, the conditions introduced by the WTO are more beneficial.
US commercial spokesman Ron Kirk said that negotiations on Russian membership of the WTO may be concluded this year. However, there are still problems with Georgia. The EU has complaints about Russian car assemblage rules introduced in March. Georgia wants Russia to fulfil the deal signed in 2004, concerning trade through customs posts and legalization of its customs posts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
