Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ accession to the World Trade Organization is an important move, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization Alan Wolff said as he met with Belarus’ Economy Minister Dmitry Krutoi on 8 November, BelTA has learned from the Economy Ministry.

Dmitry Krutoi updated the WTO representative on the work done to prepare Belarus for the WTO accession. The work covered investment regime, manufacturing policy and subsidies for manufacturers, investment policy related to trade, trade in services and other measures within the scope of authority of the Economy Ministry. Apart from that, Dmitry Krutoi reaffirmed Belarus’ commitment to observing the WTO rules and regulations that were used to elaborate the legal framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

The economy minister extended thanks for support during the accession negotiations, the ministry informed. In his turn, Alan Wolff emphasized the importance of Belarus’ accession to the multilateral trade system and upheld the country’s determination to become a full-fledged member of the WTO during the WTO Ministerial Conference due to take place in Astana in 2020. At the same time, he noted that in order to join the WTO Belarus needs to complete the negotiating process by 2020.