MOSCOW, February 15 (RIA Novosti) - The mayor of Moscow spoke out Wednesday against Russia's bid to become a member of the World Trade Organization.
"If we join the WTO, who will win?" Yury Luzhkov rhetorically asked officials in the capital, adding that the move could be a mistake.
According to the mayor, accession to the body governing global trade can only benefit primary industries. He cited the example of China, which he said had thought a long time before joining the body in 2001 and had haggled over its accession to gain the best terms.
The mayor said Russia could "fall down and never get up" after accession.
Russia's economic ministers have repeatedly stated that the country is aiming to join the organization in 2006.
