No official confirmation of Georgian plans to delay Russia
MOSCOW. Oct 15 (Interfax) - Russia has not received any official statements from the Georgian authorities confirming that Tbilisi plans to hamper Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina told journalists.
"We have not received [any documents notifying Russia of Georgia's plans]. So far, we cannot say what will happen," Nabiullina said.
Russia is now tackling the main issues in these talks, the minister said.
"We will have to complete consultations with Europeans on export duties and to sort out multilateral issues," she said.
On October 5, Georgian presidential spokeswoman Manana Mandjgaladze said that Georgia will not support Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization unless Russia abides by Georgia's terms.
"The Georgian leadership's position is unalterable. Georgia will not support Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization unless Russia fulfills Georgia's terms, which cover the issue of customs checkpoints and the entire spectrum of questions that have cropped up in Georgian-Russian relations," she said.
Georgia insists on joint control with Russian agencies over the customs checkpoint on the Psou River in Abkhazia and at the Roki Tunnel in South Ossetia, and also on the access of Georgian products on the Russian market.