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Medvedev hopes WTO accession documents to be signed as planned

We have spent so much effort on it. I do hope that nobody will throw in anything new,” he said

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

BRUSSELS, December 15 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hopes that the signing of documents on Russia’s accession to the WTO, due on Friday, will proceed as planned, in accordance with the expected scenario and without surprises.

“I have just talked to Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, who is going to perform this wholly ritual tomorrow,” Medvedev told a news conference following the Russia-EU summit, adding that the document was a carefully agreed one.

“We have spent so much effort on it. I do hope that nobody will throw in anything new,” he said.

Medvedev voiced the certainty that Russia’s WTO accession would help develop the Russian economy.

“This is going to be a positive step, a victory, and honestly speaking, I am glad that it will take place during my presidency,” he added.

Medvedev thanked all who had taken part in that work, in particular, at the last phase. He mentioned US President Barack Obama and the leaders of Switzerland and the European Union. He also addressed special words of thanks to the members of the Russian government who had taken part in the negotiating process.

“I hope that tomorrow everything will proceed normally,” he concluded.

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