Ukraine

Ukraine May Delay WTO Entry

Ukraine's coal industry has been struggling for many years (file photo) (AFP) August 11, 2006 -- Ukraine's newly appointed prime minister, Viktor Yanukovych, says his government has "a huge interest" in joining the World Trade Organization but that it may delay talks to ensure membership conditions do not harm the interests of Ukrainian producers.

Ukraine has been trying to win WTO membership since 1993.


President Viktor Yushchenko has pledged that the country will join the bloc by the end of this year.


(Reuters, Interfax)

WTO Status Of RFE/RL Broadcast Countries

WTO Status Of RFE/RL Broadcast Countries

An exhibition of the history of the WTO in Singapore in 1996 (courtesy photo)

WTO Members:
Armenia: Joined on 5 February 2003.
Croatia: Joined on 30 November 2000.
Georgia: Joined on 14 June 2000.
Kyrgyzstan: Joined on 20 December 1998.
Macedonia: Joined on 4 April 2003.
Moldova: Joined on 26 July 2001.
Romania: Joined on 1 January 1995.

Countries That Are Not Yet WTO Members:
Afghanistan: Submitted its application in November 2004.
Azerbaijan: Submitted its application in June 1997.
Bosnia-Herezgovina: Submitted its application in May 1999.
Belarus: Submitted its application in September 1993.
Iran: Submitted its application in July 1996.
Iraq: Submitted its application in September 2004.
Kazakhstan: Submitted its application in January 1996.
Russia: Submitted its application in June 1993.
Serbia and Montenegro: Submitted separate applications in December 2004.
Tajikistan: Submitted its application in May 2001.
Ukraine: Submitted its application in November 1993.
Uzbekistan: Submitted its application in December 1994.

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For an exclusive RFE/RL interview with former WTO head MICHAEL MOORE,click here.