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Russian deputy PM dismayed by lack of progress in WTO talks

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A Russian first deputy prime minister has said that the country's "international partners" are hindering the conclusion of talks on Russia's entry to the WTO.
MOSCOW, September 5 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian first deputy prime minister has said that the country's "international partners" are hindering the conclusion of talks on Russia's entry to the WTO.

Russia started WTO accession talks in 1995. The latest round of talks with the 153-member global trade organization collapsed in late July, but Russia's top negotiator Maxim Medvedkov said the parties could still return to the negotiating table later this year.

"We have done everything, except possibly dancing, to gain entry to the WTO," Igor Shuvalov said in an article published in the Vedomosti paper on Friday, adding that Russian willingness to make compromises in the negotiating process had been met with frequent delays on the side of the European nations.

He also complained that Russia had simply not received replies on many positions, which made it clear that "nobody wants to negotiate."

He also said that a government report had been prepared in which "it was stated that - why should we impose limits on ourselves in connection with entry to the WTO if they don't even intend to accept us?"

Shuvalov told the paper that Russia had previously suspended several lucrative domestic projects because "the European Union desired this."

"Proposals were made to build car and heavy machinery assemblies while increasing localization [all across Russia]. We suspended these negotiations due to the WTO," Shuvalov said.

However, Shuvalov described Russia's accession to the WTO as "a key priority."

"We are seeking to enter the organization as soon as possible," he said. "We think...our partners are preventing us from completing the talks and finalizing accession."

Shuvalov announced last week that Russia would terminate some of the trade agreements it had previously reached with the WTO as being too onerous.

"Russia intends to notify its WTO partners about its withdrawal from accords that are in conflict with its interests," he said.

Russia is the only major economy that is not a part of the WTO.

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