The Associated Press
MOSCOW
Russia needs to hold talks with Cambodia over Moscow's accession to the World Trade Organization, the Russian trade and economy minister said Wednesday.
Russia, the only major economy outside the WTO, had earlier said it just needed to reach agreement with its tiny ex-Soviet neighbor Georgia, to meet requirements for membership in the 150-member group, which sets global trade rules.
However, German Gref said that Cambodia in January had requested bilateral talks with Russia.
"I hope we can quickly complete these talks," he said.
Any member can demand a bilateral deal with an applicant. To become a WTO member, Russia must secure similar agreements with all its trading partners in the body.
Gref said that Russia hoped to join the WTO by the end of 2007, although he conceded it was an ambitious goal.
"This is a tough timetable and we will have to work hard to ensure it becomes reality," he said.
Russia last month signed a trade agreement with Costa Rica, two months after it struck a milestone deal with the United States.
Russia needs to hold talks with Cambodia over Moscow's accession to the World Trade Organization, the Russian trade and economy minister said Wednesday.
Russia, the only major economy outside the WTO, had earlier said it just needed to reach agreement with its tiny ex-Soviet neighbor Georgia, to meet requirements for membership in the 150-member group, which sets global trade rules.
However, German Gref said that Cambodia in January had requested bilateral talks with Russia.
"I hope we can quickly complete these talks," he said.
Any member can demand a bilateral deal with an applicant. To become a WTO member, Russia must secure similar agreements with all its trading partners in the body.
Gref said that Russia hoped to join the WTO by the end of 2007, although he conceded it was an ambitious goal.
"This is a tough timetable and we will have to work hard to ensure it becomes reality," he said.
Russia last month signed a trade agreement with Costa Rica, two months after it struck a milestone deal with the United States.
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