Russia Says Deal Close With U.S. On WTO Entry

Russian Minister for Economic Development and Trade German Gref (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)

October 13, 2006 -- Russia's trade minister says that within two weeks Russia and the United States could seal a bilateral deal on Moscow's entry into the World Trade Organization.

German Gref made his reported comments in a meeting with his Latvian counterpart, Aygar Shtokenbergs.

Russia is the largest economy outside the 149-nation WTO.

Its membership has been held up by issues related to U.S. meat exports to Russia.

(Reuters)