Expert opinion

	03.12.06 Victoria Panova G8 research group, University of Toronto, Director for Russia
	03.12.06 Mona Bricke German NGO Forum Environment and Development
	03.12.06 Nigel Martin Montreal International Rorum (FIM)
	02.12.06 John Kirton Head of G8 Research Group, University of Toronto
	02.12.06 Regina Gunter Head of the WWF Germany

News

Russia not to give up its econ interests in WTO talks - aide

TOKYO, April 14 (Itar-Tass) - Russia does not intend to give up its economic interests when joining the World Trade Organization, Igor Shuvalov, an adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his personal representative for G-8 affairs, told reporters here on Friday.

"We assume that we'll be joining WTO only on the conditions we regard as acceptable for us. We won't cede our economic interests," Shuvalov underlined.

According to him, the Russian leadership counted on completing WTO talks by the end of 2005.

However, the talks with the United States are still dragging on. "The USA is the biggest difficulty for us now," Shuvalov said.

Moscow and Washington have agreed on a number of issues, but USA has "brought forward additional demands, and returned to earlier positions in the negotiations."

"We believe that it's unacceptable," he underlined.

Shuvalov is in Tokyo within the framework of his tour of the G-8 countries. Prior to the visit to Japan, he visited Canada and the United States. He is yet to tour the European member-states of the G-8 group.

Expert opinion

	02.12.06 Halter Marek Le College de France
	02.12.06 Olivier Giscard d’Estaing COPAM, France
	02.12.06 Mika Ohbayashi Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliсy
	02.12.06 Bill Pace World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
	01.12.06 Peter I. Hajnal Toronto University, G8 Research Group