[wto] russia on verge of joining

"We have an agreement in principle and are finalising the details. This agreement will mark an important step in Russia attaining membership in the WTO," US trade representative Susan Schwab said. The Russian trade ministry confirmed the agreement and said negotiators hoped to have a deal ready to sign at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Hanoi next week. Moscow accused Washington of dragging out negotiations and was disappointed when a deal was not reached in July at the Group of Eight summit in St Petersburg. Russia is the largest economy outside the 149-member WTO and its efforts to join have been bogged down in trying to reach an agreement with the US, the last major country whose approval it needs to join. Analysts think Russia's accession might soften its opposition to sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme. I’ll ask the Trade Min about it today.