Russia expects U.S. to lift Jackson-Vanik Amendment within months - Shuvalov
GENEVA. Dec 16 (Interfax) - Russia expects the United States to lift the Jackson-Vanik Amendment in the near future, says Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
"We hope that this missing detail - the lifting of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment - is a matter of the next few months," Shuvalov said at a press conference dealing with the signature of a protocol on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Friday.
It was reported earlier that, if the amendment is not repealed before Russia formally joins the WTO, the WTO provisions will not be in effect in the U.S. in relation to Russia and in Russia in relation to the U.S.
Shuvalov thanked the U.S., whose position proved to be decisive in completing the negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO, which have lasted since 1993. "I would like to say special thanks to our American partners. It is their efforts and special attitude they have displayed over the past several months that shows that Russia and the U.S. have developed relations of true partnership," he said.
The Jackson-Vanik Amendment adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1974 denies most-favored nation status to countries with non-market economies that restrict emigration. It is believed that this legislation was aimed specifically against the USSR and other Communist bloc nations. The amendment is incompatible with the WTO standards, which Russia should join in 2012.