MOSCOW, September 21 (Itar-Tass) —— Moscow hopes that the decision to terminate the activity of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will not affect the outlook for bilateral cooperation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said at the annual meeting of Russian-American Pacific Partnership in Takoma, Washington.

In his statement at the forum Ryabkov pointed out that Russia’s accession to the WTO was opening up extra opportunities in front of US businesses and Russian business circles.

“At the same time, their implementation will depend a great deal on whether the United States gives Russia a regimen of permanent normal trading relations, for which the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment will have to be canceled.”

“The Russian side cannot but be alarmed over the continuing debates in the US congress of various options of replacing that amendment with anti-Russian Magnitsky act,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Ryabkov urged the attending US business representatives to use their influence to prevent this march of events, fraught with negative effects for bilateral relations.”

“As for the decision to terminate USAID activities in Russia as of October 1, which was also discussed at the forum, the senior Russian diplomat voiced the hope that this step would not harm the outlook for equitable cooperation and mutual respect in the economic and other spheres,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “In fact, this means a return to normal in Russian-US relations.”