MOSCOW, May 16 (RIA Novosti) - A senior Russian economics ministry official said Tuesday he hoped Moldova would not block Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization over a recent ban on Moldovan wine imports to Russia.
"I believe we will reach a sensible compromise, and I do not think Moldova will block Russia's accession to the WTO," said Maxim Medvedkov, Russia's chief negotiator on accession to the world's largest trade body.
Medvedkov said Russia had entered into talks with Moldova on its initiative. He said the former Soviet republic sought to discuss veterinary and hygienic standards, including with regard to wine, and ways to ease or lift the March 27 embargo Russia imposed on Moldovan and Georgian wine over health concerns.
Originally, Russia was not supposed to secure approval for its WTO bid from Moldova, a WTO member with which it has a free trade agreement, Medvedkov said.
