"At first, customs union, then - the WTO issue: Russia has announced that will now hold talks on accession to the WTO only on behalf of the Customs Union. Why is it so dramatically changed our position? Just a few days earlier we stated that we can complete the accession process to the end of the year. Answer: The process of accession to the WTO and the Customs Union since 1996, ran parallel. We began to discuss their relationship in Geneva about two years ago. Partners warned that further delays in the merger may change the format of our participation in the WTO. Special impression is not produced - apparently, because all previous attempts to create a functioning integration association in the post-Soviet space were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, our colleagues who are responsible for the negotiations on the Customs Union, prepared more than 20 agreements! To start them, it was necessary to solve several important problems, including the unified customs tariffs. June 5-6 at the forum in St. Petersburg was really serious progress in our bilateral negotiations with the U.S. and the EU. But we have not solved all the issues. On 9 June in Moscow in the negotiations on the Customs Union progress has been qualitatively different - the main issues have been resolved. Therefore, the decision was made - first customs union, then - the WTO. "We - the pioneers" in: Does this decision that the Customs Union for us is more important than the WTO? This does not move? A: This is not a formula "either ... or ...". This formula "and ... and ...". Sequence of operations is changing, the Union planned to launch early next year. Accordingly, WTO accession will be later. Q: If we now start negotiations have been as a customs union, does that mean that everything starts anew, from scratch? A: This question should solve our government, together with members of the WTO. In the WTO, there was no precedent of this kind. We - the discoverers. I do not think we are talking about zeroing the results already achieved. Customs Union clearly delineated. It regulates only a few questions the regime of trade in goods. It does not apply, for example, trade in services or intellectual property rights. Therefore, much of the agreements already reached, I hope can be maintained. In: What physically will be negotiated? Meet the new team led by you? about: Organization talks will depend on the adjunction formula. If you joined the Customs Union - negotiations can lead a Customs Union Commission, or representatives of the three governments together, a government delegate negotiating authority to one of them. There are many options. In any case, the negotiations will be a serious national component - on the issues that are not within the purview of the Customs Union. "Russia has 95% of the way, Kazakhstan - 70, Belarus - half in: How far advanced in negotiations Kazakhstan and Belarus? about: According to our experts, Russia has 95 percent of the way, Kazakhstan - 70, Belarus - about half. The most complicated situation in the Belarusian colleagues - after all, their accession process was virtually halted three years ago. Suspended for reasons unrelated to trade. In: Will the Minsk, which is far from the completion of negotiations for political reasons, for us, "anchor" on which we will never will not join? about: this question can be viewed in different ways. Can you build a truly effective functioning customs union within which the goods will move freely, which will equal conditions of competition, not harmonizing the legislation of the participating countries? Definitely not. Therefore, the Belarusian partners in any case have to move in the direction of WTO rules because both Russian and Kazakh laws are already aligned with the standards of this organization. We can help them do that, and to help fast enough. It is in the public interest. If the laws of Belarus, will be consistent with the WTO in Geneva will agree on the level of customs tariffs. But Russia, the talks have ended long ago, most of the work done Kazakhstan. Members of the WTO, for example, can suggest no negotiation, but to take Russian veteoshny rate basis for the tariff of the Customs Union. This is - the problem under consideration. Of course, it will take time. "All this - billions lost to us for money" in: The very need of entry into WTO for many of us was not obvious. Many industries such as agriculture, may suffer. Could you tell what effect as of today will have a WTO for different sectors of Russian economy? Pluses and minuses, literally on the list ... about: not listed. As there is no industry, which clearly would benefit or lose from the unique entry into the WTO. For me has always been a big mystery as to why, for example, agriculture has always exhibited a victim of the WTO. Agreed on the date the conditions for accession to the WTO did not reduce the level of protection of our markets, but we got the opportunity to seek the abolition of discrimination against the Russian food exports. What are the conditions of accession of the Customs Union - it is hard to say. By joining the WTO, we can effectively implement a program of formation of an innovative economy, to ensure predictability of external trade as an essential part of the Russian GDP. Even energy exports could fall victim to the "game without rules." See what happens - our nuclear exports face increased protectionism in America and Europe, the EU is preparing new laws to investors in the gas sector, laws that are in violation of WTO rules, seriously limit the possibility of formation for Gazprom's supply chains. A gas transit? A restriction on imports of gas from one source? A so-called energy corrections, which deprive the Russian exporters of fertilizers, steel, chemical products to use competitive advantages in foreign markets? A crisis grants, which are thrown away from the markets of our company? All this - billions lost to our money. Outside the WTO to resolve these problems much harder. Q: And joining the Customs Union which will have consequences? to: Chief, and, importantly, the rapid positive - Common Customs Tariff. It will stimulate the internal Soviet economic exchanges. If properly organized, strengthened external negotiating position. All other issues can be addressed through free trade zone. "We'd better first learn how to operate all three in: Do you fear that the process of negotiating some of the participants may withdraw from them unilaterally? Say, Belarus due to the recent controversy? Indeed, the current arrangements - oral ... A: In nature there and eternal written international agreements. From any agreement can be reached. Country's right to dispose of their sovereignty as they want. Objective for the WTO accession Belarusians formula of the Customs Union is much more profitable than offline process. Small countries in the WTO are always a big problem. Q: Can the process to join other potential members of the Customs Union? A: This question for the governments of the founders. Theoretically, the Customs Union should not have any restrictions on the number of participants. But uncontrolled expansion could have negative consequences. EU - is also a customs union, the community is constantly growing, but many experts the impression that it is not beneficial to the founders. In this kind of things better to be careful, go in small steps. We'd better first learn to work three times - to see how decisions are made, how they met, both fit into the national legal system. Until we have themselves to these questions no answers.
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