By Country / Russia
Top U.S. Lawmaker Says Russia Must Reform To Join WTO
April 10, 2006
U.S. Senate leader Bill Frist (right) with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (epa)
Bill Frist, the leader of the majority Republicans in the U.S. Senate, made his remarks in Moscow after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Frist said the United States generally favors Russia's admission to the WTO. But he said Washington would not give final approval until Moscow shows it is willing to liberalize financial services and relax restrictions on the media and nongovernmental organizations.
Frist said Russia's position on Iran's controversial nuclear program also will have an impact on the U.S. decision.
(Interfax, AFP)