. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/128 
2 December 2009 
 (09-6537) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
 
Statement by Mr. Maxim Medvedkov
 
Director, Department of Trade Negotiations  
Ministry of Economic Development  
Head of Delegation at the Negotiations on Accession to the WTO  
 
(Speaking as an Observer) 
 
  The global crisis has become a test of strength for the global trading system.  The fact that it sustains this test is a merit of the WTO and at th e same time an evidence of the viability of both the 
Organization and the set of multilateral rules of trade.  
 The development of events in the recent few months has also demonstrated the universal 
nature of the WTO system.  Despite intensive pressure from the protectionist lobbies, the world 
community has demonstrated its general adherence to the WTO principles, notwithstanding the fact 
that not all its participants are full-fledged Members of the WTO yet.  
 Russia has repeatedly pronounced against protecti onist trends in trade within the formats to 
which it is a party, such as G-20, APEC and BRIC.  We can state that the joint efforts with our 
partners lead to satisfactory result. So far we  have managed to avoi d a “snowball effect” of 
protectionism.   At the same time, the crisis has highlighted the necessity of modernization of the multilateral 
system of trading rules. “Grey areas” of the WTO, which the world trading nations have been putting 
aside so far, became serious irritants to trade relations during the crisis.  The WTO Members have 
different views on means and directions of moderniza tion of current rules.  From our point of view, 
this should only inspire the participants of the world trading system to jointly search acceptable 
solutions. 
 
 Russia is ready to participate actively and cons tructively in this work.  By invitation of the 
WTO Secretariat we have engaged in the monito ring of trade and trade -related measures conducted 
by the WTO.  We strongly count on long-awaited accession to the WTO, which will give an impetus 
to our participation in the WTO activities. 
 
 In recent months the process of creation of a Customs Union of the Russian Federation, 
Republic of Belarus and Republic of Kazakhstan became more intensive.  In the coming year its basic 
instruments, including single customs tariff, will enter into force.   In the formation of the Customs Union we follo w the rules of the WTO. Our main aims are to 
eliminate trade barriers within the whole customs terri tory of the newly created  integration entity, and WT/MIN(09)/ST/128 
Page 2  
 
  to establish single, clear and transparent trading rules for the benefit of all our trading partners in the 
WTO and all economic operators.   The accession of the Customs Union member-countri es to the WTO is a task that we intend to 
fulfill within the shortest period of time.  It w ill create a necessary legal fra mework for foreign trade 
with the Members of this Organization.  We inte nd to accede to the WTO in accordance with its rules 
and practice simultaneously and on harmonized terms and conditions.  We are not going to depart 
from the agreements that had been reached during the negotiating process.  The results of Russia's 
negotiations which last for more than 16 years will be thus protected.  
 Taking into account that the pro cesses of accession of our countri es are at different stages, we 
are looking forward to the support by the WTO Members of our plans.  
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