According to Medvedkov, Russia hopes to complete its talks with most countries. This creates favorable opportunities for completing the entire process, Medvedkov stressed.
In his words, comprehensive issues, such as the adaptation of Russian legislation, will subsequently be discussed. We'll focus our efforts on this negotiating process aspect in late 2004 and early 2005, Mr. Medvedkov added.
Technically speaking, all the main problems have been solved, Medvedkov said, while assessing the overall process of Russia's admission into the WTO.
At the same time, the problem of liberalizing Russia's gas market hasn't been removed completely from the agenda, Medvedkov went on to say. Some countries are still watching specific pricing policies with regard to those specific products, whose self-cost is largely influenced by gas, rather closely; the list of such products includes fertilizers, Mr. Medvedkov told RIA Novosti.
Specific financial-market access terms are yet another serious problem during the negotiating process. The relevant Russia-EU accords stipulate a considerable, though incomplete, liberalization of foreign financial institutions' operations on Russian territory, he noted. In Mr. Medvedkov's opinion, this concept makes it possible to preserve the balance of interests of Russian insurance companies and banks, foreign companies, as well as those of clients.
Many WTO countries have okayed this concept, Mr. Medvedkov added. However, some believe that Russia has made insufficient headway in the course of such liberalization, and that it must assume tougher commitments, Mr. Medvedkov pointed out.
As we see it, this is hardly possible and hardly essential, he added.
We are conducting involved talks with all countries, the Russian delegate noted. Some interesting problems tend to arise in relations with those specific countries, which maintain good-neighborly relations with Russia, and which are forging a free trade zone together with Moscow, Mr. Medvedkov said in conclusion.
