Russia

Russia Threatens U.S. Over WTO Talks

Russian Trade Minister German Gref (right) with Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) August 17, 2006 -- Russia has threatened to withdraw preferences given to U.S. meat imports if the two countries fail to reach an agreement over Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by October.

Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref is reported to have made the warning in a letter sent to U.S. authorities.


Russia and the United States failed to agree on terms for Moscow's WTO entry at a G8 summit in July.


(AFP, 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.