Russia and Belgium have adopted a declaration paving the way for the scrapping of the visa regime and Russia's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The declaration was signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and acting Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme in Brussels on Wednesday.
"The sides acknowledge the importance of Russia's membership in the WTO, which would become a key element in the efforts to diversify and modernize Russia's economy," the document said.
It would also help increase cooperation between Russia and the EU in trade, investment, high technology, aircraft and space industries and other areas, it said.
The document invited Belgian politicians and businessmen to attend annual economic forums in Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg.
It also called for a speedy completion of talks on the new Russia-EU partnership agreement.
BRUSSELS, December 8 (RIA Novosti)
