Russia May Join WTO Before Year-end: Berlusconi

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Russia May Join WTO Before Year-end: Berlusconi

Visiting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in Moscow on Tuesday Russia is expected to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of this year.

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Visiting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in Moscow on Tuesday Russia is expected to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of this year.

"We are convinced that Russia will become a member of the WTO and we will do everything possible to make this happen before the end of the year," Berlusconi told journalists after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, Interfax reported.

Berlusconi, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), also said that Russia's accession into the WTO should be tackled vigorously.

Russia, the largest economy still outside the WTO, has made eight-year efforts to join the organization.

Putin expressed his hope that Italy's current presidency of theEU will help Russia and Europe achieve "significant progress" in their relations, considering that the EU will account for up to half of Russia's trade turnover after its eastward expansion.

"We are keeping a close eye on heated debates within European agencies and the European Parliament," said Putin.

He hoped that "all political disputes and internal problems, which are typical of democratic countries, will not hamper the constructive development of Russia-EU relations."

Recalling the latest EU summit in Greece that underscored the need to give a fresh impetus to trade and business contacts with Russia, Berlusconi said he was authorized to promote these relations.

"Security is one of the elements of these relations. Europe views stronger ties with Russia in this area as crucial," the prime minister said, adding European leaders welcome Russia's economic progress.

Putin praised Russian-Italian ties, which set up an example of how Russia's relations with other countries should be conducted.

"We are actively developing economic and humanitarian relationsand we would like Russia's relations with the entire EU to become good and open, like those between Russia and Italy," the presidentsaid.

Berlusconi, in turn, confirmed that relations between Rome and Moscow are "very good." He also expressed the will to develop the relations further into an example for Russia's relations with all of Europe.

Putin noted that he is preparing for his upcoming visit to Italy scheduled for November 5-6.

Berlusconi said his country expects Putin to meet with Pope John Paul II during the visit, adding that he and Putin are doing everything they can "to further relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church."

During the meeting, Putin also said Russia and the EU intend towork out a plan that will radically soften the visa controls for Russian people, having the Schengen agreements in mind.

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