Putin says Russia's key WTO issues resolved
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All key issues concerning Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been resolved, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said here on Thursday.
Speaking at a meeting on the industrial assembly and production of car components as part of Russia's WTO negotiation process, Putin said all "dispute issues" have been resolved, including the launch of the Customs Union that groups Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Before the establishment of the Customs Union, the three nations have agreed to seek the joint accession to the WTO.
Meanwhile, Putin stressed Russia's accession to the WTO did not imply a total opening-up of the Russian market for foreign goods.
"We will protect our sensitive positions by higher customs tariffs," Putin said, adding that Russia will "keep its opportunities to use all instruments to support domestic manufacturers."
"I mean special protective, anti-dumping and compensatory measures," Putin added. But the prime minister also promised that Russia would act in strict compliance with the WTO rules.
Russia, which has been seeking WTO membership for more than 18 years, is the largest economy remaining outside the global trade watchdog.
In April, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Russia may launch its accession to the WTO in summer this year.
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