http://www.mosnews.com/money/2006/11/16/bushwto.shtml Putin, Bush Confirm Russia-U.S. WTO Deal Created: 16.11.2006 11:42 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 13:43 MSK , 3 hours 7 minutes ago
MosNews At an airport meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that next week they plan to sign a bilateral deal that will pave the way for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the presidents confirmed that they would sign a protocol paving the way for Russia to join the WTO on the sidelines of an Asian economic summit in Hanoi on Sunday, Nov. 19. Despite confirmation of U.S. agreement to approve Russia's WTO bid, Russia still needs to re-negotiate its bilateral deals with Georgia, Moldova and the European Union. The first two are upset over Russian ban of their agricultural produce, while the European Union demands that Russia makes a firm obligation to reducing and then cancelling fees for trans-Siberian flights, which it currently charges all European airlines.
