Gay Mitchell
Question:74 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on recent talks between Russia and the EU on WTO membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18795/04]
View answerThursday, 7 October 2004
Questions (78)
Written answers
Russia's accession to the WTO is currently under negotiation in a WTO working party. Such accession negotiations include bilateral negotiations involving various WTO members with the country seeking accession. The 25 member states of the EU are represented in the WTO by the European Commission and, as such, it is the European Commission which conducted the bilateral negotiations with Russia. All member states, including Ireland, were involved in the preparation of the negotiations through the Article 133 Committee.
Bilateral discussions between the EU and Russia have been concluded and agreement has been reached across the full range of trade issues involved. The agreement takes into account the important sensitivities on both sides and is expected to create a momentum towards finalisation of Russia's accession. Final agreement on accession of Russia will, of course, be taken by the full WTO membership. Currently these accession negotiations are being negotiated at the WTO accession working group in Geneva.