MOSCOW, December 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia must provide a system of protection for its producers that conforms to the rules of the World Trade Organization, the first vice-premier said Sunday.

On the sidelines of last month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Russia signed a final protocol on its accession to the world's largest trade body with the United States, removing a major obstacle to its integration into the global economy.

Dmitry Medvedev said accession to the WTO was one of Russia's priorities.

"At the same time, we must devise a system of protection for our producers that does not contradict WTO rules and will enable them, including agricultural producers, to create products at advantageous prices and sell them on the domestic market, sometimes using the mechanism of state support," Medvedev said.