16 Oct 2009 14:12

Customs Union states could have different WTO market access obligations - official

MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which are currently forming their Customs Union, could have different commitments regarding market access for services from World Trade Organization (WTO) member-countries, Maxim Medvedkov, director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry's trade negotiations department, told Interfax.

"As far as market access for services is concerned, obligations could differ. It is normal. For example, there are plenty of country-related commitments within the EU," he said.

WTO accession negotiators will try to synchronize only commitments that are regulated by the Customs Union's documents, Medvedkov said, adding that he is also speaking about access to commodity markets.

"Our priority is normal functioning in the sphere of access to commodity markets," he said.

It would also be advisable to synchronize systemic and copyright protection issues, he added.