Russia could clinch WTO deal in six weeks

MOSCOW, Nov 1 (AFP): - Russia could agree a deal on joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by December 15, a Kremlin aide said yesterday amid growing signs its 18-year campaign to join the trade body is coming to a conclusion. One of the biggest obstacles to Russian membership appeared to have been at least partly removed last week when its foe and WTO member Georgia agreed to a "final proposal" from Swiss mediators to assist Russia to join. In a further sign that a deal could be close, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey held talks in the Georgian resort city of Batumi with her counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili on the compromise proposal to overcome Tbilisi's objections, after meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Sunday. Moscow has expressed confidence that the accession process is moving forward. "If we manage to complete all the necessary processes, a working group is going to meet on November 11," Arkady Dvorkovich, Medvedev's economic adviser, told reporters. "If the decision of the working group is positive, then the process of Russia's accession to the WTO may be completed by December 15 in a ministerial meeting," he added, without specifying the nature of the meetings. Dvorkovich made clear the deal would still require ratification before Russia-the largest economy in the world to remain outside the WTO-formally became a member. The Kremlin's adviser on foreign policy Sergei Prikhodko meanwhile said that the "Russian position on our readiness to enter the WTO remains unchanged." Medvedev said on Sunday after meeting Calmy-Rey for previously unannounced talks at his residence that he hoped to see Russia join the WTO by the end of the year.