The Russian application to be part of the World Trade Organization has been pending for 18 years now, and Putin (who recently decided to run again for first minister) said that Russia's partners should decide soon whether to admit it or not. It seems that the positions are closer and the effective membership is more possible than ever.
However, there is an obstacle, Georgia's opposition. Georgia is a member, and the acceptance of new nations is decided by consensus among the members. Georgia wants to have customs clearance points between Russia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two are separatist regions largely controlled by Russia, but Russia refuses to have such control points. They claim they have reached a compromise on most issues. Mr Putin, is spending time making sure he can show the world that they have the right team and capacity to become a reliable member of the WTO, however being really straight forward and asking whether or not the WTO members want Russia to be a member, confident on what Russia could bring to the table and expecting Europe and the U.S. to add pressure to Georgia.
Mr Putin admitted that Europe and the United States asked Russia t negotiate a settlement with Georgia but that they are nowhere closer to solve the issue. On the other side, Georgia's president admitted their interest on Russia joining the Organization, but insisted on the importance of those control points.
If Russia finally joins the Organization Georgia could sue Russia on the Organization's court for banning imports of Georgia mineral water and vegetables, a long issue between both countries.
by Paula Elum
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