Russia could finish WTO talks with U.S. in two weeks: minister

Russia could wrap up talks with the United States on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in two weeks, Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said on Friday.

"I think we should reach final agreements in the next two weeks," Gref said at a meeting with Latvian Economy Minister Aigars Stokenbergs, the Interfax news agency reported.

"In practice, we agreed with the United States on all issues related to intellectual property," he said.

Veterinary issues remained unresolved, but a review of the U.S. veterinary inspection system was being completed, Gref said, adding that there was an agreement to finish the talks by the end of October.

Russia wanted to review the U.S. sanitary inspection system before reaching an agreement on meat imports.

Russia, the largest economy still outside the Geneva-based WTO, has been negotiating to join the world trade body since 1993. The United States remains the last hurdle to Russia's longtime WTO bid.

Russian officials had earlier wanted to conclude the talks before the summit of the Group of Eight major powers in July in St Petersburg, but the talks stalled amid a dispute over meat imports with the United States.

Source: Xinhua