MOSCOW – Russia appears on the verge of success in its 18-year quest to join the World Trade Organisation after Georgia lifted its long-held opposition to Moscow’s membership.
Russia is the only major trading nation that remains outside the WTO, a source of embarrassment for a country that considers itself a major economic power.
Georgia’s opposition was the last stumbling block to Russia’s membership, a politicised move implemented after the two countries went to war over South Ossetia in 2008. – (Guardian service)