Belarus expects to intensify the negotiating process for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in connection with ratification of the package of agreements on forming the Common Economic Space (CES). This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Kobiakov on this December 21.
According to Deputy Prime Minister, the negotiations on accession of Russia and Kazakhstan to the WTO are currently in the final stage. The Belarusian side will be easier to negotiate on the accession to the WTO, considering this fact, as well as the CES formation of the member countries of the Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia), BelTA informs.
Andrei Kobiakov remarks that Belarus’ accession to WTO is not an end in itself. «The main thing for our country is to create the most favorable conditions and acceptable terms for our Belarus’ accession,» Deputy Prime Minister said.
Andrei Kobiakov notes that each country chooses for itself the individual tactics to join the WTO. Thus, Russia — WTO negotiations have been lasting for more than 18 years. Belarus, according to the Belarusian Vice-Premier, first defends national interests in the negotiation process.
As Telegraf previously reported, the House of Representatives ratified the whole package of documents, forming a legal base of the Common Economic Space of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, on December 21. Following the EEC Interstate Council meeting, Alexander Lukashenko promised that Belarus would ratify the entire package of agreements by 1 January 2011. Council of the Republic is planning to endorse these bills on December 22.
