"The protocol was signed by the head of the Ministry for Economic Development and Trade's trade negotiations department, Maxim Medvedkov, and Australia's Permanent Representative to the WTO, Bruce Gosper," the ministry said in a statement.
"Australia is one of the WTO's most active players," the ministry quoted Medvedkov as saying. "The signing of a protocol with such a difficult partner means that one more important task in the negotiating process is resolved."
Russia now has signed bilateral protocols with 57 members out of the 58-member Working Party on its accession to the WTO. It has yet to complete talks with the United States.
Talks are currently stalled over a number of issues, including Russia's banking sector, agricultural trade barriers and import duties on aircraft, cars, and other products, as well as protection of intellectual property rights.
