Russia Optimistic About WTO Deal With U.S.

(epa)
July 12, 2006 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he is optimistic a deal with the United States on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) can be reached before the two countries' presidents meet this week.

Lavrov said both countries are undertaking "very intense efforts" to strike a deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush are to meet before the July 15-17 G8 summit in St. Petersburg.

(AP)