Russia hopes to join WTO without Georgia’s assent
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Monday, December 3
Russia’s chief WTO negotiator, Maxim Medvedkov, does not rule out Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) without Georgia’s consent, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti quoted Moscow’s top negotiator as saying.
As a WTO member, Georgia has the power to veto Russia’s entry to the organization; it is the only country now threatening to do so.
Before it approves Russia’s membership, Georgia is demanding the legalization of customs checkpoints at Psou and the Roki Tunnel, the main crossing points from Russia to breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia respectively. The latest round of talks on the sticking point between the two countries ended in October in Geneva in deadlock.
All member states have to give their approval before a new country can join the WTO, but Russia is attempting to get around this by claiming that Georgia’s demands are outside the provisions of the WTO.
“Russia’s argument is that Georgia’s demands fall beyond the scope of the WTO, and should be discussed in a different forum,” political analyst Gia Khukhashvili told the newspaper Alia.
Moscow hopes it can now persuade the WTO to sidestep Georgian objections in its bid for membership. Many WTO member states have an interest in Russia’s accession.
As a WTO member, Georgia has the power to veto Russia’s entry to the organization; it is the only country now threatening to do so.
Before it approves Russia’s membership, Georgia is demanding the legalization of customs checkpoints at Psou and the Roki Tunnel, the main crossing points from Russia to breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia respectively. The latest round of talks on the sticking point between the two countries ended in October in Geneva in deadlock.
All member states have to give their approval before a new country can join the WTO, but Russia is attempting to get around this by claiming that Georgia’s demands are outside the provisions of the WTO.
“Russia’s argument is that Georgia’s demands fall beyond the scope of the WTO, and should be discussed in a different forum,” political analyst Gia Khukhashvili told the newspaper Alia.
Moscow hopes it can now persuade the WTO to sidestep Georgian objections in its bid for membership. Many WTO member states have an interest in Russia’s accession.