Customs Union countries agree on WTO accession terms

MINSK. March 15. KAZINFORM The member states of the Customs Union have come to an agreement regarding their terms of entering the World Trade Organization, Russia's First Vice Premier Igor Shuvalov told media after a session of the Customs Union Commission in Minsk on 14 March; Kazinform refers to BelTA.

"Work is in progress in the Customs Union to keep each country informed about progress in this process," said Igor Shuvalov. The Customs Union members are adjusting their stances in this process, with vice premiers staying in touch. The ministers of economy of the three countries also keep in touch. A negotiation team led by Maksim Medvedkov of Russia includes heads of departments. Matters concerning subsidies to agriculture in view of the WTO entry will be discussed soon.

"We discuss all these matters in advance or post factum," said Igor Shuvalov. "We still confirm that entering the WTO is a very important strategic goal for us. We are advancing towards it. We make tactical adjustments depending on what we will face. Any moves are undoubtedly coordinated. We abide by the consensus principle".

Igor Shuvalov told media that the session of the Customs Union Commission had not discussed concrete decisions of individual governments, in particular, monetary management restrictions, "which are not part of the troika responsibility". Respectively there are no indirect signs that these matters run contrary to the establishment of the Single Economic Space; Kazinform cites BelTA.