MOSCOW, November 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russian and U.S. positions on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization are becoming closer, the Russian foreign minister said Monday.
"However, the talks are proceeding with certain difficulties," Sergei Lavrov said at a session of the Russian-U.S. business cooperation council.
The United States is one of the six countries that have not yet completed talks with Russia on its WTO accession.
Lavrov said Russia, which currently has observer status at the WTO, was ready for compromises, but that its accession should be without discriminating conditions.
Speaking on the energy issue, Lavrov said, "Russia's role as a major and reliable energy supplier will continue to increase."
The minister said Russia fully realized its responsibility to support global economic stability, and proved this by its fuel and energy activities.
Experts forecast growth of energy consumption, and the stability of the European Union's energy supplies will depend on Russia, the minister said.
