WTO accession


Free trade agreement with EU possible only after Azerbaijan's WTO accession, deputy foreign minister says
“There are common factors in Azerbaijan's integration into Europe and accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO),” Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev told journalists, APA reports. He said that European Union approves the idea of Azerbaijan's WTO membership.
Letter from Lebanon: Farmers risk losing big
As Lebanon heads down the fast track to trade liberalisation, some commentators are predicting a devastating impact on small-holder farmers. Unable even to sell produce on the Lebanese market let alone for export, farmers are painfully unprepared to compete with subsidised imports. Yet little is being done to fortify the agricultural industry as the fruits of major bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) and liberalising reforms loom on the near horizon.
India: China seeks market economy status
India and China together represent the "new global economic architecture" Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said on Tuesday. But India and China themselves are often embroiled in fractious trade disputes.
US-Russia bilateral/WTO deal pushes new standards for IP protection
In its bilateral negotiation with the United States in order to join the World Trade Organization, Russia appears to have agreed to intellectual property rights standards that push those of the WTO and US law to new levels.
US-Russia bilateral WTO market access agreement
USTR fact sheets
Transcript: Susan Schwab interview
Susan Schwab, US trade representative, on the prospects for turning the 21 economies of Apec into a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP); current talks about bilateral trade deals in Asia; the expiration in June next year of trade promotion authority (TPA); and the expected signing of a bilateral trade agreement between the US and Russia.
US, Lebanon close to deal on new trade pact
The United States expects to finalize a new trade agreement with Lebanon by the end of November, marking progress in Beirut's stalled bid for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Viewed as a prelude to a bilateral free-trade agreement between the two countries, the new Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) should eventually lead to Lebanon's ascension to the WTO, US Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman said in a speech at a dinner hosted by the Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce on Friday.
A citizen's guide to an emerging empire
This article is an introduction or guide to PICTA, PACER and the WTO in the Pacific. The 'guide' gives readers basic knowledge of both trade agreements and the stepping stone function they provide towards the WTO re-colonising the Pacific.
EU to start FTA talks with Ukraine
The European Union (EU) will start free trade area (FTA) negotiations with Ukraine hopefully in early 2007, said the European Commission on Wednesday.
Still no deal to get Russia into WTO
The United States is the sole remaining large WTO member that hasn't signed a bilateral pre-admission deal with Russia.