Russia urges Georgia not to block its WTO entry

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged Georgia Thursday not to block Russia’s entry to the World Trade Organization, saying it could help the two countries move toward eventually restoring diplomatic relations.

Medvedev said Russia’s chances of joining the WTO this year were high but it still faced political obstacles from Georgia, which has threatened to use its veto to block Russia’s accession unless a dispute over customs controls is resolved.

“I think the chances are rather high because we are all working a lot on it,” he said in an interview with Russia’s Ekho Moskvy radio, Russia Today television and Georgia’s PIK-TV in the southern Russian resort of Sochi.

“I think that if the Georgian leadership shows wisdom, it will become if not a turning point, then a point of contact to resume regular trade and economic relations, and then possibly diplomatic relations.”