(AP) – Ukraine will take Russia’s interests into account when making its bid to join the World Trade Organization, Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov said Oct. 5, but he added that his country was still vying to gain membership before Russia does.
The two countries’ economies are closely intertwined, but trade disputes routinely break out. Ukraine’s Western-leaning administration has made membership in the trade group an important short-term goal for the ex-Soviet republic, which needs major foreign investments to boost its sluggish economy.
It was in a race with Moscow, however, to join the WTO first, as each country was seeking to avoid having the other impose any conditions on their own membership.
Yekhanurov told reporters that Ukrainian officials would hold consultations with Russia as it prepares for membership talks, but said he still hoped Ukraine would receive membership first.
“For sure we will take into account Russia’s interests,” Yekhanurov told reporters.
“Ukraine wants very much to be in the WTO earlier,” he said.
After Yekhanurov visited Moscow last week, the Ukrainian daily Kommersant reported that the prime minister had agreed to delay Ukraine’s WTO bid in exchange for a promise from Russia to maintain heavily discounted gas prices for Ukraine. Prices are some three times less than what Russia charges European consumers.
Yekhanurov denied the report, saying: “it was also interesting for me to read.”
President Viktor Yushchenko said Ukraine remained on track to win membership before the year’s end.
Earlier this year, lawmakers adopted eight bills key to Ukraine’s WTO entry, but failed to pass the entire 14-bill package that had been proposed.Yushchenko warned Oct. 5 that all ministers in his new Cabinet would be held responsible for getting the six amended laws through parliament.
