Russia, Costa Rica End Bilateral WTO Talks
Russia and Costa Rice have completed WTO talks on the former's accession to the World Trade Organization, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said Tuesday.

"The official protocol has not been signed yet," the ministry said.

Russia must sign bilateral protocols on the completion of WTO talks with the United States and Costa Rica, and complete talks with Sri Lanka before it can accede to the trade body.

Earlier, it was reported that the protocol with Sri Lanka will be signed once the countries reach a final deal on import terms for Ceylon tea to Russia.

German Gref, Russia's minister of economic development and trade, said Saturday that Russia will sign a protocol with the U.S. at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam November 18-19.

He said it will also take Moscow six months to complete multinational talks on the country's accession to the global trade body.