ST. PETERSBURG, June 18. /TASS/. The US is making it impossible to reach progress in the issue of restoration of the system of claims resolution in the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev told reporters at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"Regarding the issue of unblocking the work of claims resolution bodies, I would say there have been no agreements so far, the issue is being discussed. So far, our US colleagues that are addressing the issue, keep it ‘on hold’ <…>, not allowing anyone to move ahead," Ilyichev, who headed the Russian delegation at the 12th WTO ministerial conference in Geneva, said.

The WTO ministerial conference in Geneva ended on June 17 with a package of final papers approved, including on the launch of consultations on restoration of the system of claims resolution by 2024.