MINSK, 2 June (BelTA) – Belarus’ early entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will promote the expansion of trade and economic ties, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the Minsk Dialogue international conference “Economic Security in a Globalized World” on 2 June, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus’ swift accession to the WTO will promote the expansion of trade and economic ties, will have a positive effect on the investment climate and business image of the country,” the minister said.
According to Vladimir Makei, Belarus is doing its best to strengthen its positions in the international multilateral trading system. He noted that since 2016 Belarus has significantly intensified its negotiating process with the WTO in every area. Concrete results have already been reached.
Belarus has so far signed protocols on the completion of the bilateral talks with Japan and the Republic of Korea. “We are planning to complete the talks with a number of other countries by the end of the year. We are grateful to our American and European partners for the support of Belarus’ efforts aimed at stepping up the WTO accession process,” the Belarusian foreign minister said.
He added that systemic interaction with the WTO Secretariat and its member states helped reach the stage of working out the final document, which is a draft report of the working group.
Speaking to journalists, Vladimir Makei stressed that Belarus has been working hard on the matter, using different opportunities, including consultations with counterparts from other countries and cooperation with European partners. “I think we will achieve our goal very soon,” he added.