Russia Affirms Commitment to World Trade Organization Principles

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia affirms its adherence to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) principles by adopting amendments to the agreement establishing the WTO, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.

Russia submitted its protocol on amendments to the Marrakesh Agreement to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo earlier in the day. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the protocol amending Annex 1A to the agreement on March 2.

"By fulfilling the commitments for the adoption of the Protocol on Amendments to the Marrakesh Agreement, Russia confirmed its adherence to the goals and principles of the WTO," the ministry said.

It noted that Moscow took active part in negotiations to insert the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement into Annex 1A since gaining membership in August 2012. The Russian delegation contributed to achieving consensus and facilitated the agreement’s approval among member states at the December 3-7, 2013, ministerial meeting in Indonesia, the ministry added.

"We intend to continue working closely with members of this representative forum and work on the organization’s extensive agenda on the basis of balanced and pragmatic approaches," it continued.

The Protocol to amend the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization was adopted by the WTO General Council in Geneva on November 27, 2014.

The Protocol amends Annex 1A to the Marrakesh Agreement by adding to it the Agreement on simplification of trade procedures, designed to speed up the movement and release of goods, streamline customs procedures and increase their clarity, efficiency and transparency.